How do all of you protect your birds when you become ill with a respiratory or gastric infection?:unsure:hmy: :huh:
Our Greys or other parrots are not really susceptible to viruses we carry like you mention. So I have never stayed away from or treated my Parrots any differently when I have a cold or other similar viral issue.
A gastric infection, is not viral, it is bacterial. The only thing you need to ensure is you do not let your Grey beak in your mouth and wash your hands good after using the restroom. :-)
Within all of us is a varying amount of space lint and star dust, the residue from our creation. Most are too busy to notice it, and it is stronger in some than others. It is strongest in those of us who fly and is responsible for an unconscious, subtle desire to slip into some wings and try for the elusive boundaries of our origin. ~K.O. Eckland, "Footprints On Clouds"
Dayo in flight....
Thank you, Dan. I know handwashing is critical in controlling any infection e.g. MRSA, Salmonella, E. coli, etc., and the viruses also. When we first received Predious I read that Greys were susceptible to human respiratory infections, hence the question. Thanks for setting me straight. Ther's a lot of misinformation out there!:cheer:Side note: How hot is it in Visalia now?:whistle:
Of course you can share infections with your bird but it happens rarely so I wouldn't stress about it.
You can also get gastric infections of the viral kind. Poor bacteria always get blamed but many things can cause your tummy to be upset such as stress, travel and diet.
Wash your hands and be wary of antibacterial soaps, they only kill the good bacteria and leave you susceptible to the bad bacteria. If you wash your hands frequently use a lotion to keep your skin from cracking and allowing bacteria to enter your body. Keep your birds cage clean including daily water changes and removing old food stuffs. Exercise, good sleep and good diet gives your body and your birds body a chance at being free of infection.
Zpyder, so what I read was correct, it's in the frequency of transmission that the difference lies. When I was doing my peds rotation in nursung school almost all of my time was in CD at the county hospital. I never took any infection home. Of course there was frequent hand washing but the use of Clo Cream was as much a part of the technique as handwashing and gown changing. Universal precations now are very strict but I see a lot of poor technique in the handwashing area. It seems there is too much reliance on the use of gloves. There seems to be a lot of controversy about using a germicidal soap. I know that the alcohol hand cleansers are not effective against C. diff., only bleach, but since this is about parrots I guess I don't have to worry. Thank you for being willing to share your knowledge.
If you are really concerned, you can get some of those face "masks" they use in hospitals to prevent sneeze and coughing "spray" from getting to your bird(s). I've done this myself.... and it's interesting how quickly your bird will get accustomed to seeing you dressed this way.
I have a great respect for nurses, my mother and grandmother were nurses. I almost went to nursing school but found the lab to be more interesting to me. I am always happy to share information.
The bird flu had a lot to do with frequency of transmission.
Kitty^3 - It's running around 101 to 103 the last 2 days. That is much better than the 110 we had 9 days ago. :-)
Within all of us is a varying amount of space lint and star dust, the residue from our creation. Most are too busy to notice it, and it is stronger in some than others. It is strongest in those of us who fly and is responsible for an unconscious, subtle desire to slip into some wings and try for the elusive boundaries of our origin. ~K.O. Eckland, "Footprints On Clouds"
Nothing is 100%, but in general the viruses that infect humans do not infect our avian friends and vice versa. Some viruses mutate over time and can cross infect species to species but the incidence of this is extremely low and when it has happened has not been a strong communicability rate (thank goodness). Bacteria on the other hand are less species specific. In either case if you have a viral or bacterial infection your contact with your pets exposes them to this. Again, if you have a cold (human rhino virus) or the flu (human influenza virus) you will not infect your bird as the virus/bird to not have compatible cellular receptors to allow the virus to infect.
All in all, practice good hygiene in any case and it will only be beneficial. Wash your hands, dont go out of your way to cough on your bird etc, but also dont worry about it too much...
Very nice Mark! THANKS!! B)
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You'll Always Be My Sweet Addiction........
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