Let's learn about PBFD

[bug_n_flock]

I don't know about you guys, but I am absolutely *TERRIFIED* of PBFD. Not terrified enough of it to not be a total sucker for darn near every homeless bird I meet, but terrified of it still. I have heard some confusing and conflicting information about PBFD, and I think it is a good idea to go ahead and try to have a space with information about this horrible and awful disease.



I have heard of a bird recovering from it(literally. Going from bald back to feathered and testing negative after having tested positive). I have heard birds over a year are less likely to get it, and birds over 7 literally cannot get it. I have heard birds cannot recover from it once they are sick. I have heard about 10 year incubation periods, asymptomatic carriers spreading it thru feather dust, and other things. I am not really sure what of this is true.



I do not have much data, but I will share relevant links here. I would very much appreciate others sharing facts and links here about it too.

 

[18WheelsOfSteel]

I think this is a fantastic idea, I have never seen a simple "primer" or pamphlet or whatever you want to call it available, would be great if we could get enough basic information to put together a trifold style thing including the dangers/symptoms of PBFD, the sorts of common household stuff dangerous to birds, and basic dietary requirements for birds, would be a real life way to potentially improve the life of parrots and their people for virtually nothing.

 

[SailBoat]

Great topic as what is generally out there is less than specific.

We tend to avoid our guy coming in contact with other Parrots. We also get really nuts when we visit the local Pet (bird) Shop and totally avoid contact with our guy until we dump all our clothing in the wash machine and fully shower.

We have wood floors and do not wear shoes in the home. They are removed in the attached garage stay out of the home.

We also, follow the same when we are working in the yard (in the dirt, cutting grass or raking leaves).

Yaaa, it's nuts, but we have long worked with older Amazons, commonly ill, or recovering and just elect not to chance a transfer.

 

[Laurasea]

Great idea!
I read that currently Budgie are having more if this., As they don't loose feathers except maybe tail and wing, don't die from it, few breeders are testing, they are kept in large flocks, and cheap, so maybe not the best cleanest condition by big breeders.... I may have kept that article in ornithology I'll look..
But here is a general nice article
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102911&id=4952964

 

[noodles123]

https://www.petcoach.co/article/psittacine-beak-and-feather-disease-pbfd-in-birds/

 

[Rozalka]

I was reading an article that recently (I think this year) in Australia was created a vaccine against PBFD. But they aren't in use yet, they still are during testing. If I remember correctly they will be availble probably in 2 years, firstly will be used on orange bellied parrots because PBFD almost killed this species and still is common

 

[Laurasea]

I was reading an article that recently (I think this year) in Australia was created a vaccine against PBFD. But they aren't in use yet, they still are during testing. If I remember correctly they will be availble probably in 2 years, firstly will be used on orange bellied parrots because PBFD almost killed this species and still is common

I didn't read about vaccine. But I did read Australia is having a wild parrot outbreak of PBFD

 

[Laurasea]

I can say that I have a USA avain vet freind who once reassured me that she very very rarely sees PBFD, but warned me about the Budgies.. she said the most common disease she sees is psittacosis

 

[Laurasea]

Oh my, this is the first I have heard of non parrot regular birds having PBFD!!
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/28703699/

More from Australia
https://www.environment.gov.au/biod...-fungi-and-parasites/beak-and-feather-disease
This article says non symptomatic birds testing positive should be tested again in 90 days if negative then they cleared the virus
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topic...-medicine/psittacine-beak-and-feather-disease



It would nice if we had any members who have had to deal with this share their experience

 

[Laurasea]

I was reading an article that recently (I think this year) in Australia was created a vaccine against PBFD. But they aren't in use yet, they still are during testing. If I remember correctly they will be availble probably in 2 years, firstly will be used on orange bellied parrots because PBFD almost killed this species and still is common

Was this what you saw?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06...lly-endangered-orange-bellied-parrot/11224458

 

[Rozalka]

I was reading an article that recently (I think this year) in Australia was created a vaccine against PBFD. But they aren't in use yet, they still are during testing. If I remember correctly they will be availble probably in 2 years, firstly will be used on orange bellied parrots because PBFD almost killed this species and still is common

Was this what you saw?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06...lly-endangered-orange-bellied-parrot/11224458

This isn't what I exactly had seen but is about it. I didn't link to the article because this what I saw firstly isn't in English but in Czech (https://www.ararauna.cz/2019/08/aus...ciny-proti-pbfd-potrebuji-vybrat-pul-milionu/)

 

[Noahs_Birds]

PBFD is common here in Australia, mainly with wild birds though including members of the cockatoo family and Lorikeets
This disease is transmitted mostly through nest hollows where an infected birds has bred or been in a nest hollow, passes it onto their chicks and any other birds that uses the same hollow in coming years, its terrible stuff
All suspected WILD BIRD PBFD cases brought into vets are euthenased immediately to reduce the spread of this disease
Commonly you see cockatoos on the sides of roads in big flocks looking bald, long beaks and cannot fly
There was work being done with African Cape parrots who were getting hit by this disease very hard, but in the documentary when they rescued 3 hit with PBFD, they made a full recovery

It is an unusual disease and it is very much worth discussing about


Thanks
Noah Till