Human health issues from birds

[why_fly_high]

My son and I would like a conure. Exact type yet to be decided. My son is 13 and really wants a bird. I love birds and have had a cockatiel and budgie in the past.

My son has asthma and allergies. I have a call in to his allergist to see if a bird will be a problem. My wife being the worrisome mother does a search and find s list of reparatory diseases that people can get from birds. Does anyone have a good source of info on this and the best way to prevent this?

Thanks!

Dan

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Most people are affected by powder down parrots, such as cockatiels, cockatoos, and African greys. I have a air filter in my room to protect my lungs, as well as my birds lungs from their dust.

I don't think a conure would bother the asthma, since conures use a oil gland for preening(rather than tons of dust like the powder down parrots)

 

[GaryBV]

I don't think your wife is being a 'worrisome mother' at all, but is obviously concerned and rightly so, and is doing her homework. Would be best to support her rather than dismiss her concerns. There are issues with birds and asthma and there can be other health issues as well. I myself caught salmonella from my sister's parrot and believe me it is an experience I shall never forget. There is also an issue with cleanliness - parrots are MESSY and that means that mess must be cleaned up, and not just in the cage area, the whole area around the cage. Your wife is wise to be concerned.

 

[why_fly_high]

I don't think your wife is being a 'worrisome mother' at all, but is obviously concerned and rightly so, and is doing her homework. Would be best to support her rather than dismiss her concerns. There are issues with birds and asthma and there can be other health issues as well. I myself caught salmonella from my sister's parrot and believe me it is an experience I shall never forget. There is also an issue with cleanliness - parrots are MESSY and that means that mess must be cleaned up, and not just in the cage area, the whole area around the cage. Your wife is wise to be concerned.

By asking the question and asking for sources of information would not be what I consider being dismissive but helping to relieve some of the stress from mom. "Worrisome mothers" keep us out of a lot of trouble.