KJ>>Do you think a bird at a vets office can pass off viruses and
KJ>>bacteria that
KJ>>comes through the vets door from other sick birds?  Like typhoid
KJ>>Mary?
KJ>
KJ>I've heard Dr. Ritchie himself say so at more than one seminar. He is
KJ>especially concerned about younger babies with undeveloped immune
KJ>systems being exposed to diseases in the vet's lobby/exam rooms. As
KJ>easily as PDS and polyoma can be transmitted (on hair, skin and
KJ>clothing) I'm SURE a bird at a vet office could shed some viruses or
KJ>bacteria into the environment.
KJ>
KJ>Many viruses and bacteria are transmitted via airborne particles, ie.,
KJ>sneeze droplets or feather dust. A bird who is already ill with a
KJ>weakened immune system could be at higher risk for picking things up in
KJ>the waiting room from other patients sitting nearby.
KJ>
KJ>>How about finches, love birds, tiels, keets.  Greenwing....Cockatoo?
KJ>
KJ>The one I'd be most comfortable sitting next to would be finches, since
KJ>most of the diseases that parrots get don't affect finches, and vice
KJ>versa (except polyoma and bacteria).
KJ>
KJ>>I don't like  birds in vets office as pets.. I dont' like them in there
KJ>>for boarding either.
KJ>
KJ>I never understood the idea of an avian vet keeping a pet bird in the
KJ>waiting room. I can see having a dog or cat as resident blood donor (the
KJ>vet I used to work for had both, wandering around as pets most of the
KJ>time). Fish are a decoration for the lobby. But a bird who sits there
KJ>and gets exposed to every sick bird who passes through that lobby could
KJ>be a disease vector for EVERY patient in that waiting room.
KJ>
KJ>>I have in the past got very nervous about keets, finches, love birds
KJ>>and the likes in vets office up at the desk.
KJ>
KJ>I once had an appointment for a bird to see our avian vet for some
KJ>reason (I don't recall why I was there that time). I was sitting next to
KJ>a woman with a basket full of baby cockatiels. When I asked why she
KJ>was there, she said that ALL of their crops were stopped, and a couple
KJ>had died already. I was very glad my bird was in a tightly blanketed
KJ>carrier, and that I'd set him across the room on a coffee table, instead
KJ>of having him on my lap. I don't know what her babies had, but I'm sure
KJ>my bird didn't need it...
KJ>
KJ>Now I INSIST on being the very first bird appointment of the day (unless
KJ>it's an unavoidable emergency), and I request that no other birds be
KJ>scheduled while I'm there. This too, was on the advice of something Dr.
KJ>Ritchie said; I believe I heard him say this at MARE 1994.
KJ>
KJ>>Would others please do some research to see if I have a valid reason
KJ>>for my fear of these birds in vets offices?
KJ>
KJ>I only know what Dr. Ritchie said, and that's plenty good enough for me.
KJ>If HE thinks there is reason for concern, I'm concerned. He knows more
KJ>about viruses and disease transmission than I could ever begin to
KJ>comprehend.
KJ>
KJ>--Kathy, paranoid but disease-free
KJ>
KJ> * SLMR 2.1a * 
KJ>--- Silver Xpress Mail System       
I dont' understand how in the world a vet says "quarantine your birds" then
turns around with this kind of practice.  
How do you like this one.  I sent this woman to Harrisons office
for some food for her starving baby Umbrella.  THe vet tech dropped
the food off......came in to her house and held this baby in his arms.
THis baby has NO FEATHERS AND A YEAR OLD.  He has birds at his house and
just left the office.   ahhhhhh...ggggg....
THis lady only has one and first
baby bird which she fed from four weeks of age. 
Thanks for your wise impput.
Cherane, CAS
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