Birds

[jackieann82]

With all the talk about birds in the other topic it got me wondering. Do you have to quarantine birds like you do rats when you bring them into a home that already has birds?

[Ratschooksanddog]

Well, its a good idea with anything. I always quarentine new chickens...6 weeks in the back pen! I have been caught without space once and had to put them directly into the yard...i lost several of my favorite birds due to CRD becuase of that mistake.

But, if you know the breeder and are unable to quarentine (which can be the case in smaller homes) then you can go without, as lon as you moniter them carefuly and make sure you have medications on hand.

When bringing new chickens in, i dust for lice, worm, super feed and do daily health checks. Once they have been given the all clear, they can go with the other birds.

Hope this helps
Jessica

[Raveness]

It's very important to quarantine with any new animal.

With birds, it's crucial to watch for PBFD (Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease), Psittacosis, mites, and respiratory issues. Birds are extremely stoic, and usually don't show any obvious symptoms of illness until it becomes life threatening... which is why quarantine is so important, even if the new bird looks healthy.

[jackieann82]

It's very important to quarantine with any new animal.

With birds, it's crucial to watch for PBFD (Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease), Psittacosis, mites, and respiratory issues. Birds are extremely stoic, and usually don't show any obvious symptoms of illness until it becomes life threatening... which is why quarantine is so important, even if the new bird looks healthy.

Are you saying even with animals like cats and dogs?

[catandratluver]

I quarintine new kittens for at least two or three days. Not as long as rats, but you need some type of quarintine.

[Raveness]

Yes,  unless, of course, they've been properly vaccinated.

Almost always with kittens and puppies.

It becomes more important with animals that can't be vaccinated, such as most small animals and birds.

[jackieann82]

Hmmmmmm, I had never even heard of quarantining cats or dogs.

[Ratschooksanddog]

well, accatualy, most birds can be vaccinated against alot of major diseases. The problem is often getting such vacienes, but they are available.

Its probarbly irrelevent, but there are instances where quarentine itsn't the best option. There have been a few times where i have introduced a bird that i know is carrying a disease, in order to biuld immunity. But i would not do this unles you know about the disease and have the appropriate medications on hand (as i did)

But, yes, quarentine is a must when bringing new pet into the home.
Jessica

[Mirabell]

I quarantine new kittens for at least two or three days. Not as long as rats, but you need some type of quarantine.

Not to stir a problem - but kittens need to be under quarantine for at least two to three weeks.  My Humane Society was almost destroyed due to the outbreak of a mutated form of parvo for cats!!  This is a DEADLY strain, there is no vaccine, and mortality is almost 100% in kittens and adult cats without a solid history of vaccines.  We had to completely stop all cat adoptions for over 1 year, plus sell our old building and purchase a new one!!!  All because of this new disease. 

Please, please take quarantine seriously!!!  Now this is different if you just adopted a kitten from a place that has quarantine practices and isolation areas (like well-supported Humane Societies).  We are slowly but surely working on our new building and hope to reopen our doors to animals sometime next year.  And we will have isolation and quarantine and they will be strictly followed!!!