Ask An Expert: Ellen K. Cook, D.V.M.

Hello. I'm reading Luescher's, "Manual of Parrot Behavior," and I have a question. On page 204 of chapter 17 you find this statement in reference toPBFD:

"Diagnosis is made through histopathology of an affected feather in combination with a PCR probe to help confirm the disease."

Can you tell me what a PCR probe is? Thank you.

Cindi Eppers

Hello, I just bought 3 Argenus air sterilizers by Hunter. They belong to model #: 30580. This is the data they give me regarding ozone output on these units:

"As a byproduct of the high voltage sterilization field, Argenus produces trace amounts of ozone - about 7 parts per billion, which is well below the FDA allowable limit of 50 parts per billion."

The level is low, but since a bird's respiratory system is so very sensitive, can you give me your take on this?

Do you think it's safe to run one in my birdroom? I have 18 parrots, all rescues except for one. The "birdroom" is about 14 by 14 feet square with a high ceiling and I have my conures in it. The other room is the main room of the house and is very large with a high ceiling. I have 6 birds in there, an amazon, a timneh grey, a conure and 3 tiels. The other room is my bedroom and I have a Patagonian Conure in there who has had a lifetime of sinus infections so he's kept away from the other birds since he's sick a lot. He was previously in the conure room but is being treated now and we aren't sure if he has a sinus or fungal infection. Since the conure room tends to be wetter and more humid than the other part of the house, mold is an issue. This is also a large room with an 8 foot ceiling. Each one of
these rooms has an air sterilizer in it of the same model.

I honestly don't know just how much 7 parts per billion is, relative to a bird's sensitivity. Any info would be helpful.

Cynthia (Cindi) Eppers

In a few months,our African Grey has gone from a healthy, talking parrot to a bird that is plucking all its feathers, weak voice, lost balance, difficulty perching,, no talking, shaking and stressed to the point where we feel we are losing her. Took her to vet, got Vitamin a shot. No luck.

She's too stressed now to travel for a blood test. We're at our wits end. Please help. What can be done?
Jerry

I have a 19 year old cockatiel and have noticed that he sometimes opens his beak and it looks like he has hick-ups. I can hear air come up from his crop. He seems in good health and is eating well. Do you think this is a sign of illness? Hope to have a reply soon, thanks.

My 6 year old African Grey seems to have a problem with growing her flight feathers on one wing. When I rehomed her 2 years ago she had all her primaries on the left wing and none on the right. Her first owner informed me that she played so hard that she frequently knocked out the primaries on this wing. At her first vet visit (a few days after rehoming) my vet advised to clip the left wing to keep her balanced while the right wing grew in. Since then all her primaries are back on the left wing and the primaries on the right wing have attempted to grow in 4-5 times, only to be knocked out when playing with her toys and wiping out or spooking and flapping to the ground. I have noticed that the primaries (especially the first two) on the right wing appear ragged when growing in compared to how the left ones come in. Marnie eats a balanced diet considered excellent by my vet which includes Harrisons pellets, fruits, veggies, nuts, grains, a cage mix free of sunflower and peanuts (avian naturals) and sprouts. All of these are a combination of dried, cooked and fresh. 95% of what she eats is Organic and that which is not is pesticide, preservative etc free. She is offered a herb mix (twin beaks aviaries) free fed and a supplement of OptOmega recommended by my vet. She get everything except her cooked foods via foraging toys which she loves using. She averages 4-12 hours out of the cage on a large playscape every day. Her cage is 28"X42"X66" with a variety of toys and perches. Could you please offer any advice as to how to help her grow in her right primaries without breaking them and have them grow in healthy so that she may finally regain the flight that she so desperately wants?

My Question:
I bought a pair of rosellas in November 2007. I realised at the time that one of them (the male) had sore feet but I didn't realise the severity of it until I got home. The poor bird had 2 very very sore feet, so sore in fact that he was barely able to perch and was spending most of his time resting his body in the food dish so that he wouldn't have to put pressure on his feet.

Previously to this experience two of my own rosellas (pale-headed) had suffered sore feet but I spent weeks treating them with antibiotic and antiseptic cream and managed to cure them. Obviously I discovered the feet in the early stages.

I have been treating this poor bird for six months now and his feet are still not better. They are not nearly as sore and lumpy as they were and he is not in as much pain but something else is needed and I would be grateful if someone couldn't enlighten me as to what is used for pododermatis in birds. The poor bird is so stressed from being picked up 3-4 times per week. I have done a lot of research and have found treatments for rats and other rodents but am afraid that the creams used would not be safe for birds.

I have gone to a few small animal vets for advice but none of them are avian trained and are unable to help me. We have no avian vets whatsoever in the republic of Cyprus.

Would be so grateful for advice.

Gemma Ralph

I have read a lot about lactose intolerance in parrots, but most of it has just been confusing. I also know many parrots who love cheese (of various kinds), yogurt and milk and consume them in varying amounts. How does one
know which milk products contain lactose (apart from writing the manufacturer, which doesn¹t always produce a satisfying answer)? Is lactose really bad for parrots? All parrots? In what amounts? What are the signs of lactose intolerance? Any and all information appreciated, thanks so much, Gina

My Question:
I have a dirty bird (hahaa!). He is an 11 yr old adopted Patagonian Conure named Luther. He stinks. I have two other pattis, and if you've ever been around this species much, you will find that they have a lovely scent that
reminds one of sandalwood mixed with jasmine.

Luther's scent is so strong that it's overpowering in comparison. When I adopted him I took him straight to the vet. The vet was surprised to find that Luther is missing most of his choanal pappillae in his pharynx. He said that was indicative of chronic allergies. Luther does have occasional sinus problems & recently went through a course of antibiotics & nasal drops for it. His periorbital eye ring had become swollen and waxy appearing, he was irritable, and did a lot of valsalva maneuvers to pop his ears (appearing as yawning). The reason I mention the sinus problem is because I think they might be related to why he stinks so much. In short, his preening is almost nil. Maybe too much dander? He preens only his tail feathers & they are overpreened to the point that all the ends are frazzled. But the rest of him is fraught with sheaths that have remained on old pin feathers. He is allowing me to help him with removing them now; he's good for about 30 minutes then loses his patience with me. I give him a good soaking bath two to three times a week to promote preening & he's on a Zupreem Original (no color) pelleted diet supplemented with El Paso Nutriberries, dried alfalfa, broccoli, and spinach, and fresh fruits & veggies. He's in a huge corner cage & I take him out daily to interact with him for about an hour.

Luther is an extremely vocal bird & I think a lot of his 'hollering' is because he doesn't feel good. Any suggestions? Thanks.