>        I am new to the group, so I don't know how much credence you
>will give advice.
Welcome to Parrots! I'm the moderator, and I'll hear out anyone's
advice. I'm big on taking it all in, THEN processing it after I've heard
it all.
>To answer this, first I will mention my understsnding of PDS.  (If you
>find any of my info to be out dated, please let me know.  I believe it
>to be current and correct.) PDS is classified as a syndrome because it
>is descriptive of  a list of symptoms and a series of biological events
>without a known causitive agent.  There are diseases which can cause
>this syndrome.  Many cases of PDS can be associated with other
>pathogens such as Candida, E. coli, and Chlamydia.  There are cases
>that do not appear to have any other associated pathogens.  Thus it
>would appear that the PDS might also be a disease in its own right.
Dr. Ritchie has determined that it IS a disease in its own right. The
cases you know of that were associated with other pathogens were
probably PDS cases compounded with secondary infections. Dr. Ritchie
feels he is pretty close to proving that PDS is actually a virus.
>To rule out other causes of PDS requires costly tissue sample tests.
There are no tests for LIVE birds, unfortunately. The only test at this
time is done on tissue samples taken during necropsy.
>That most people do not have these tests
>performed no doubt confounds Dr. Richie's research efforts. Many vets
>that see birds are content with saying, "It died of PDS."  without
>pushing for further tests because there is so much cost to the client
>with little or no reward.
This is quite true--many people won't spend $150 on a necropsy on a
small bird like a 'tiel. I'm sure that many emaciated birds are
diagnosed visually as PDS cases without confirmation with testing.
>You did not mention whether or not the lady with the conure had spent
>the hundreds of dollars in testing that would be necessary for a more
>specific diagnosis.
I didn't know what she'd had done when I posted my first question. But
we've spoken again since then. I DID find out last night that she did
have a full necropsy done on her Jenday, and it did come back PDS
positive on the tissue samples. She spent several hundred dollars on
necropsy, and on blood testing for her remaining Senegal to see if he
was ill with anything that could be a secondary infection. He remains
fine, 9 months after the conure's death.

>I believe that birds on a healthy diet --lots of vegetables like sweet
>potatoes and broccoli-- with a natural pellet base (I use Harrison's)
>have much less chance of coming down with the disease.  I add immune
>system boosters to the diet on a regular schedule.
What immune system boosters do you use? I want to do something like this
for the baby Jenday I have in the nest right now (the one who is going
to live with the woman I had asked about).
>I use Bach flower and homeopathic remedies to reduce stress and
>promote a healthy internal balance in my birds.  I also add a drop or
>two of apple cider vinegar to the water of my South American birds
>since studies have shown that the natural water sources there are
>slightly acidic.
Do you use the pre-made Bach remedies, or do you make up your own from
dried ingredients? That is quite interesting about the acidic water--I
hadn't read that anyplace. Do you see much difference in the looks,
behavior, etc., of your birds since you started using these additions to
their diet?
>I do not believe that this disease is very transmittable, especially to
>a bird in good health with a strong immune system.
Dr. Ritchie said he felt that under the right circumstances, he felt it
was VERY contagious. But he didn't say exactly what those circumstances
might be...lots is still unknown about this disease. But I certainly
agree that a bird with a strong immune system will do better at fighting
off illnesses!
>I would asess the lady's ability to properly feed her birds and house
>them in a low stress environment.  If everything checks out (including
>your talk to Dr. Richie) I would sell her the baby bird.  I hope this
>info is useful.
I talked to her at length again yesterday, and she answered a lot of my
questions before I ever asked them.  I think she'd be a wonderful
home for a baby bird--she feeds her Senegal almost 100% fresh foods (he
won't eat pellets, and he only gets seeds as a treat). The bird has a
HUGE cage, and since she lives alone, the bird gets a lot of regular
attention. The Jenday would be spoiled rotten, and I think he/she would
be well cared for and not stressed at all.
>Thanks for the writing space.  Sorry this is so long.
Don't apologize! I love to read!  Welcome aboard! Tell me more about
these immune system boosters and Bach flower remedies!
>Ask me sometime about my B&G that had accupuncture treatments.
OK, I'm waiting!  But first, tell me who's "Bennett", if you are
signed as Dianalee?
--Kathy
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