Something to be aware of

[Joolesgreyuk]

http://www.tamesideadvertiser.co.uk/news/s/1198067_transplant_girl_tells_her_story_online

Does anyone know of anything about this human condition which apparently is brought about by poor hygene in pet birds and also in the food industry - in fact anywhere where live birds are kept? I'd never heard of this until today!

[jessdecutie18]

Hmm, no I'd never heard of this...

Wikipedia has a little information about it though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird_fancier's_lung

Hopefully no one on here gets it!

[JillyBeanz]

There are a lot of people who suffer from this - and who immediately have to give their birds up. It's not poor hygiene - we, if sensitive, could get it from our birds - the sensitivity can be triggered via the dander too.

This is a really severe case, in that the girl needs a transplant - usually it can be controlled by steroids alone.

Another thing this highlights is SIGN UP TO THE TRANSPLANT REGISTER!!!

[Dave007]

People who have Asythema, Emphescema, Chronic Bronchitis and other COPD problems may also get into problems if they have birds with excessive dander. But none of this has anything to do with poor hygiene. What the girl has is internal and isn't contagious.
Many greys and cockatoos are rehomed because of their extreme amounts of dander.

[pearllyn]

I'm prone to bad asthma attacks and it was quite a worry for me before we got ALfie. Happily, I'm not bothered at all by the dust!
I hope Rachael gets what she needs.

[jessdecutie18]

I think frequent showers help a lot with the dust :P
Yoshi doesn't seem nearly as dusty these days now that she gets at least 3 showers a week...

[Greywings]

We do our deepest breathing during sleep or strenuous exercise so adding an air purifier (non ionizing) to our sleeping areas would be beneficial. Lots of showers or spray mistings help as well and are so good for the birds.