Parrot Fever :-(

[Lgood22573]

A homing pigeon flew down to me outside and basically stayed in my pool bathroom rafters for four weeks. It was very friendly and social and I fed it every day. It disappeared one day and did not return for two weeks. Upon return, I immediately noticed it had been shot or attacked by a predator because of a large bloody wound in it's upper chest. I caught it and took it to my Avian vet. My vet determined it was attacked by a predator and we tried to contact the owner from the band. It was a racing pigeon association. We had no luck at all. I decided to just keep the poor thing and let him live in the room with my African Grey. My grey is very social and docile and she lost her play mate of 16 years 4 years ago. I immediately quarantined the pigeon and with each contact washed hands and changed clothes before even being around my grey. I've had my grey for 20 years. My vet called with the test results and the pigeon has Parrot fever antibodies, but is not shedding in the stool sample. Thank God. My vet said that means at one time Homer had the disease, but is not contagious at this time. He said if at any given time he became ill or stressed he could once again begin shedding the disease. I am so upset!!!! I have decided to euthanize Homer because I have absolutely no other choice. I even called our local wildlife rehabilitators and they said they could not take him and suggested I just let him go. I clipped his wings because I was having to give him antibiotics every day for his wound. I cannot let him go. Someone, anyone, I need some advice on what to do. I am scared for my young daughter, myself (I have autoimmune disease) and mostly my beloved African Grey,. What should I do with Homer?

[Eric&Rebecca]

If the bird has parrot fever it could spread it to other people as well as other birds. There are some rescue centres that care for such birds. As you've implemented quarantine procedures your African Grey SHOULD be fine but do keep an eye.

Some rescue centres do take birds with pBFD, parrot fever etc.

It MAY be best to euthanize if you can't find a suitable rescue centre but I would speak to your avian vet, try and find out exactly what you can do and about its transmission to humans, he may know a suitable rescue centre.

[Lgood22573]

Thank you for your response. My vet does not know of anyone. I am working with a homing pigeon rescue lady online who says she is going to help me. I am just not knowledgeable about Psitticosis (Parrot fever). I have read everything I can online to educate myself on transmission, but the web is just so sketchy on what to believe. My vet said he may never be contagious, or he may become stressed and start shedding the virus again. Right now he is not contagious, he just has antibodies that he once had the disease and recovered. I really don't want to euthanize him. He's perfectly healthy and so sweet. But at the same time, I cannot risk my African grey and family. All I do is sanitize and laundry.

[Pajarita]

He doesn't have to 'have' chlamydiosis (parrot fever or psittacosis) to have the antibodies. Anybody (or bird) who has had the disease and gotten better would have the antibodies for the rest of his/its life. Where are you located? I live in Northern NJ and would be willing to take him in. I have several birds which have had the disease and the only precaution you need to take is to keep the bird stress-free (which I do) and do the treatment every two years as a preventive (which I already do so it would not be a hardship for me).

[Lgood22573]

He also came back with adenovirus on his labs today. You are 14 hours from me. I am in Nashville TN. This little guy had worms, parasites, lice, you name it. He's so sweet, I just want him to have a good home. The worms parasites and mites have been treated successfully.

[Pajarita]

All the birds that live outside (or have been exposed to the outdoors) have to be checked for parasites but three weekly dosages of ivermectin takes care of all of them, thankfully. Yes, you are too far away for me. And yes, doves and pigeons are the sweetest things. I had five of them living in my birdroom when I was in Pennsylvania and although my husband did not like their cooing in the middle of the night, I found it soothing.

[Lgood22573]

Homer has found a home with another little rescue pigeon