>Did I mention that the adult birds would probably be stressed or
>immunocompromised if contracting the polyoma?
I don't know if you mentioned it, but that's most likely true.
>I think the term for catching the virus (or having the antibody) is
>"seroconversion". It's what happens after the antibody is there that is
>the question. Everyone assumes that if the antibody is at all present a
>bird is a carrier. No one seemes to understand that an adult CAN shrug
>off the problem. They don't understand the seroconvert and/or become
>immune part of the process.
The only problem with this is that the DNA test for polyoma is NOT 100%
accurate--it CAN miss truly positive birds if they don't happen to be
shedding the virus at the time the test is taken. It is still MUCH safer
to be "too" cautious, and assume that an exposed bird is now a carrier.
This is how we treated the baby Jenday who tested negative; he had grown
up with the 3 conures who tested positive--we knew there was no way he
was "clean". So he went into permanent lifetime quarantine with the
others.
>The vaccine is out. it is however prohibitively expensive, about $50 a
>hit, especially for the large breeder.
It's not out nationwide yet. At this time, they are still producing
vaccine on a state-by-state basis, from birds who died of polyoma
epidemics. There is a name for this procedure, but danged if I can
recall it right now... I know it's not available nationwide yet, because
Michigan does NOT have it. One of our avian vets is pleading with bird
clubs to report any polyoma problems to him so he can get the vaccine
made.
As for price, all I know is that I was told by Dr. Ritchie that it isn't
*supposed* to be that expensive...Perhaps once it is available
commercially, rather than case-by-case, the price will drop. It
certainly better, or nobody will use it.
--Kathy
 * SLMR 2.1a * 
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