Conference 7.286::pet_birds

70.0. "Watch for PARASITES!" by CSC32::K_WORKMAN (Hand picked by Juan Valdez) Tue Dec 13 1988 14:34

    I recently took my Quakers into the vet for a full checkup.  They
    took blood from each and also did a fecal.  Marty (my vet) found
    that they both had STRONGILES (sp?).  These are parasites similiar
    to what horses get.  Well I panicked!  She told me not to worry,
    however, I was really concerned about my Grey.  She said that because
    the birds are really good weight, and didn't have any feather problems
    that they probably just recently got them.  I brought my Grey into
    her last night and he had them too!
    
    She said that recently (in the last 4 months) they have seen many
    cases of these parasites and have found that they are getting into
    the birds from their seed.  She said they are easily treatable with
    no side effects, but if not treated and left in the bird, the bird
    will be bald in a matter of months.  The parasites cause the birds
    to pull all their feathers.  She has a Red Head that only had down
    on him because he was full of parasites in her office.  He is coming
    around nicely.  She said a good percentage of feather problems, 
    not just plucking them out, are a result of parasites.
    
    I use TOPPER for all my birds along with a mixture of LAKES PARROT
    BUFFET but also add some sunflower and saflower seeds I get at a
    feed store.  I noticed last night that some of the sunflower seeds 
    had little tiny holes in them like something had boared its way in 
    there.  What ever it was that made these holes was no longer in the
    seed, but the fact that they where there caused the parasite problem.
    What ever the little bug was carries parasites around with him that 
    he leaves on the seed.  I pitched the seed!
    
    Her recommendations for preventing this in the future:
    
    1.  Don't buy bulk seed.  The packaging and storage is usually done
    in areas where there are high populations of mice, bugs, worms etc.
    The mice droppings, worms, bugs etc.  may have been in areas prior
    to reaching the packaging where parasites exists so they carry them
    around on them then get them into the seed.  Even if you don't see
    the worms or rat droppings etc in the seed, the parasites might
    still be there.
    
    2.  Make sure to use a grate at the bottom of your birds cage so
    the fecal matter falls out of reach of the bird or birds.  This
    will prevent furthur reinfestation of the parasites and is a good
    housekeeping practice anyway to prevent other problems.  The parasites
    can live in their fecal matter for many hours.
    
    3.  Soak seeds for 24 hours in water with a little bit of bleach, 
    then rinse and soak for another 24 hours in clear water to make 
    sure they sprout, then feed to the birds.  Don't feed them if
    they don't sprout.
    
    4.  Store all seed in a freezer.

    5.	Have fecal tests on your birds taken regularly to prevent
    problems.  (ie every 6 months)  The tests are normally inexpensive 
    and all you have to do is just bring in the sample and have it 
    analyzed under a microscope.  Your bird doesn't need to leave his
    house!
    
    6.  If you see worms, or a cottony looking webbing around the seed
    or packaging, don't use the seed.  The worms themselves aren't
    too dangerous but the parasites they usually carry are!
    
    7.  The pre-packaged and vitamin added seed like TOPPER she said
    is real trustworthy stuff.  She prefers an all pellet diet her
    self but knows that many birds just won't eat the pellet type
    diets if their acustomed to seed.
    
    I just wanted to let you all know, so you can possibly avoid having
    to medicate your birds for parasites!  The medication isn't a big
    deal, however, and it is given usually once a week for 3 to 4 weeks.
    
    Karen