https://www.wctropicalbird.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/WC-Logo.jpg00Store Operatorhttps://www.wctropicalbird.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/WC-Logo.jpgStore Operator2024-08-21 16:44:042024-08-21 17:14:38So You Want Your Bird to Stop Chewing Your Furniture
Is COVID-19 a concern for our parrots? suju/Pixabay
UPDATE, March 19, 2020: Since this article first published, the Pomeranian dog mentioned in it has died of unknown causes, although it is not likely coronavirus. See Forbes for more information.
It’s all over the news. The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading and affecting lives everywhere. However, it’s not only causing illness, it’s causing confusion and fear. It is an emerging disease, so there is still a lot we don’t know or understand. This uncertainty can be perplexing. It even has pet owners questioning how this could affect their companions. Although there is still a lot to discover about how this virus will act, that doesn’t mean we should be fearful for our pets. Rather, there are things people can do to keep their pets safe and healthy.
Knowledge Is Power
The first place to start is by focusing on what we do know about the disease. COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus. Viruses are microscopic agents that contain genetic material. They get inside the cells of other organisms and essentially hijack the cells’ operating system in order to replicate more of themselves. The new little viruses then leave the cell and move on to another one to repeat the cycle. Viruses infect all sorts of life, including animals, plants, and even bacteria. Some viruses are very benign to the host cell they take over. Others viruses can cause severe damage and death to the cell and the larger host organism.
Coronaviruses are a group of well-known viruses that have been studied for years. They consist of many different types and have been identified in humans, cats, dogs, pigs, and birds. Bird species found to have coronavirus include pigeons, pheasants, chickens, and turkeys. Typically, coronaviruses are problematic in young animals but mild or asymptomatic in adults. The virus mostly is found in respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, causing problems in these organ systems. Coronaviruses are generally species-specific and infect only one group of animals. For example, coronavirus that infects chickens usually won’t cause problems for humans.
How COVID-19 Likely Developed
COVID-19 is new though, so how did it develop? One of the interesting things about viruses is that they mutate. This means that their genetic material can change accidentally as the virus replicates in a host cell. These changes can make it so the virus can now infect a new host. Or it can make it so that the virus is now more virulent — stronger and able to cause more damage. Research is showing that COVID-19 is likely to have jumped from bats to humans in a live animal and seafood market in China. It then spread from human to human, likely through respiratory secretions like saliva and mucous when people cough and sneeze.
Is COVID-19 A Danger To Pets?
The question pet owners have on their minds is if the virus could pass from people to their companion animals. The risk of this occurring seemed to be low. However, at the end of February, a Pomeranian owned by a person who was sick with COVID-19 was found to test weakly positive for the virus. The dog was rechecked and continued to test positive for the RNA of the virus. The dog remains free of symptoms though and is negative for antibodies to the virus. This means that its immune system, as of yet, has not recognized or reacted to the virus. The dog is still under quarantine and being monitored.*
Testing by one of the large veterinary laboratories has, so far, found no positive dogs or cats in samples they have analyzed. Testing is still ongoing, so things could change regarding what we know about how COVID-19 affects pets. At this time, COVID-19 appears to be a low risk of disease transmission to pets.
Are Pet Birds At Risk?
When it comes to pet birds, at this time, there is no evidence to support that it could transfer to them. Given that birds and mammals are two largely different groups and the virus is not even transferring well between mammal species at this time, it is unlikely to be a problem for birds. As previously mentioned, coronaviruses are usually species-specific. This makes it more likely that the virus cannot spread from humans to pet birds.
Recommendations From The AVMA
Although the likelihood of transmission is low it never hurts to be cautious, and times like these remind us about the importance of biosecurity. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that people infected with COVID-19 have limited contact with their pets and allow others to care for them until we better understand the virus. The AVMA also recommends against kissing, hugging, and sharing food with pets. This prevents respiratory secretions of infected people being spread to animals.
What Should Pet Bird Owners Do?
Previous viral outbreaks in birds have taught people how to practice good biosecurity. The following are ways pet owners can implement biosecurity in their homes.
Quarantine: Any sick humans in the home should have limited contact with their pet birds until they are healthy again. Likewise, any sick birds should be isolated from healthy individuals. Any new birds coming into a home should have a 30-day minimum period where they are not around other birds in the house. This recommendation is not specific to COVID-19 and is a good rule to live by to minimize the risk of all infectious diseases.
Hand Washing: Make sure to wash your hands before and after handling and interacting with your bird and their accessories, such as their cage items or food. We can easily spread bacteria, viruses, and other infectious agents on our hands without knowing it. Simply washing your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds can go a long way to preventing problems.
Monitor for illness and seek professional care when necessary: If you notice your bird is not feeling well, have him or her checked out by a veterinarian skilled in avian care. Even the smallest of changes in their behavior can sometimes be an indication something is wrong. Don’t wait until they are really acting ill. If you yourself are ill with COVID-19, ask a friend to bring your bird to the vet for you.
“It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.” – CDCPexels/Pixabay
Cleaning and Disinfecting: Make sure to clean surfaces, cages, and items that have been soiled or have come in contact with biologic items (i.e., feces, respiratory secretions). Many common disinfectants have been shown to be effective against coronaviruses. The CDC lists numerous disinfectants that are useful, including bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and quaternary ammoniums. Read product labels and instructions in order to use them correctly. Bleach and hydrogen peroxide are safe for use around birds, but note that all animals must be kept away from the fumes of products while in use.
Be Prepared
During times of uncertainty, whether it’s a natural disaster, an economic crisis, or a disease outbreak, it’s good for pet owners to be prepared for both their needs and their birds’ needs. Have stocks of emergency supplies on hand, and at least a two week’s supply of food for all pets. For birds on medications, have at least two week’s medication available, if not more. Have an emergency pet first-aid kit available that includes items like antiseptic cleansing agent, bandaging material, styptic powder, and copies of health records.
In conclusion, COVID-19 may be a pandemic but that doesn’t mean pet owners should panic. Take more control of the situation by understanding how the virus is likely to behave and taking the appropriate measures to be prepared with supplies at home. Also, learn how infected people should interact with their pets. Implementing appropriate biosecurity measures, as is recommended with birds anyway, can help to reduce the chances of serious illness entering our flocks.
*Addendum March 19, 2020: The 17-year old Pomeranian dog died 2 days after being released from quarantine. The cause of death is unknown and the owner declined a necropsy, but sources close to the case told the South China Morning Post “It is very unlikely the virus had any contribution to the death of the dog”. Hong Kong veterinarians speculated that the dog’s death could have been related to stress and anxiety in this geriatric animal with underlying health problems. Visit Forbes.com for more information. See below link for original article.
https://www.wctropicalbird.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/WC-Logo.jpg00Store Operatorhttps://www.wctropicalbird.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/WC-Logo.jpgStore Operator2020-03-29 17:14:492020-03-29 19:27:16COVID-19 and Pet Birds
Summer has come, and with it has
come beautiful weather and (hopefully) some free time. Many of us would like to
take our parrots out to enjoy the sun, but doing so can be dangerous. Even the
best behaved bird can take off, whether it’s due to being startled or mischievous.
Having properly clipped wings is no guarantee. Wings that have been clipped
appropriately still grant some gliding power, therefore the wind can grant lift
that can take your bird to unexpected places. Even if they glide safely to the
ground, a bird of prey or non-aerial predator can grab them, or they can land
in the path of a vehicle.
These dangers are why we always strongly advise you to never take your bird outside without a harness, or a cage/carrier and never leave your bird unattended for even a minute. Even in a cage, an bird left alone can be harassed or attacked by predators, or stolen by unscrupulous humans. Many of our customers have bought an Aviator Harness from us for birds as small as parrtotlets or as large as moluccan cockatoos.
Want something that you can use all year and for more reasons? Our Celltei bird carriers can be taken on bike rides, hiking, to and from the vet, and make an excellent night-time cage that is perfect for emergency situations.
Now that the fall is upon us, many people are beginning to be concerned about power outages. A question some bird owners may be asking is, “what can I do to make a power outage as safe and as non-scary as possible for my bird”? The two issues that you may face are:
The drop in temperature
The darkness
The lack of light is a slightly easier problem to tackle. Keeping your house stocked with battery operated lights and lamps for both your own benefit, and that of your animal friends, along with spare batteries, is a great way to prepare for anything ranging from a simple power outage to the aftermath of an earthquake. Always keep multiple ones in your home so that you can use them in more than one room, and tackle varying degrees of darkness. .
Gas run heating devices may seem like the most attractive and obvious option, but, in actuality, any heating device or generator that can produce fumes from fuels such as gasoline or kerosene can be dangerous to your birds’ sensitive respiratory system. In the event of a power outage, you can begin with the following steps:
Bring your bird into a room with no windows, or with ones covered by heavy curtains
Ensure there is sufficient air flow, but try and keep the room from losing any heat to the rest of the house by shutting doors in rooms not in use
If your bird will not be scared by it, over the sides and back of the cage, to insulate the cage. Leave the front uncovered during the waking hours so they still can see what’s happening and don’t feel trapped
If you have generators that run on fuel, use them as far from your bird as possible. Remember, just because you can’t smell the fumes doesn’t mean its not If it gets very cold, you can use a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel and put it in the bottom of the cage
Warmer water and food can also be provided to help warm them up. Don’t worry if it’s a bit unhealthy, a bit of extra fat helps your feathered friend warm up.
If there is a long lasting outage, such as a several day outage, you may need to bring your bird somewhere less stressful, such as a friends’ house. Even if you can maintain a safe temperature, the darkness and disruption may be overwhelming if it continues on too long.
https://www.wctropicalbird.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/12715944_162a315848_b-e1540504175687.jpg680870WCtropicalbirdhttps://www.wctropicalbird.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/WC-Logo.jpgWCtropicalbird2018-10-16 14:24:372018-10-25 14:50:33How to Handle Power Outages: Tackling the Darkness and the Cold
One of the goals of enriching the lives of our companion birds is to ensure that they receive optimal environmental conditions. As Guardians of our birds’ health, another important goal is to avoid causing harm. UV lighting has both the potential to improve as well as harm the health of our birds. Client education on proper UV lighting for birds had received little attention from the veterinary community until only recently. In addition, there had historically been a considerable amount of misinformation and lack of information from the pet industry on this subject. This discussion will focus on parrots but applies to all birds in captivity.
Key Points
The benifits of UV light warrant that all companion birds should receive some exposure.
UV light can help maintain good bone density and can help stimualte exercise.
Most windows filter out the beneficial UVB rays that help birds produce vitamin D.
Natural Sun Exposure for 20-30 mins, 2-3 times a week in the warmer months is ideal.
During the winter, UVB bulbs are highly recommended.
Birds on a poor diet (all seed therefore calcium deficient) and birds that are cronic egg layers will especially benefit from year round UVB Light.
Bulb exposure time and distance depend on the bulb used.
The goal is to mimic mid morning sun (UV index 2-4).
Generally, the bulb should be on for a minimum of 3-4 hours a day.
Always mount the bulb above (not to the side of) the cage.
Always provide a UV gradient so the bird can move away from the light if it wants to.
In general, high output bulbs should be no closer than 6 inches and low output bulbs should be no futher than 12 inches from the top of the birds head at its highest perching location.
At this time, it is recommended that linear tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs are used rather than mercury vapor flood lights
Always carefully read the package instructions for your bulb
Bulbs should be replaced every 6 months because UV output will decrease over time.
https://www.wctropicalbird.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/full-day-all-night-universal-light-black-12-1.jpg500714WCtropicalbirdhttps://www.wctropicalbird.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/WC-Logo.jpgWCtropicalbird2018-09-21 13:30:502024-08-21 17:15:29UVB Lights Information
https://www.wctropicalbird.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/bird_eggs_by_leichel-d62nk93.jpg4561024WC Tropical Bird Studiohttps://www.wctropicalbird.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/WC-Logo.jpgWC Tropical Bird Studio2016-05-14 01:05:392016-05-14 01:05:39What do I do if my Bird Lays Eggs?
Deciding what should be in your first aid kit for avian emergencies will depend on how comfortable you are in carrying out certain procedures, the availability of an avian veterinarian in your area, and your own knowledge of avian medicine.
There are a bunch of materials that we think will work when taking care of birds, but there here is a list that is really bad for your feathery friend.
https://www.wctropicalbird.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/flying-birds.jpg4511200WC Tropical Bird Studiohttps://www.wctropicalbird.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/WC-Logo.jpgWC Tropical Bird Studio2016-05-13 20:46:512016-05-13 20:46:51Products We Will NOT Recommend and Why
A common complaint heard by behaviorists, is the inability of some parrots to “like” EVERY individual in a human flock, and to socialize equally with each flock member.
Each pet bird owner, from small Budgies to large Macaws, is faced with the decision of whether to clip their pet’s wings. To help you make an informed decision, here are some pros and cons, which can be applied to your particular bird and situation.
So You Want Your Bird to Stop Chewing Your Furniture
COVID-19 and Pet Birds
March 15, 2020 by Stephanie Lamb, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice)
UPDATE, March 19, 2020: Since this article first published, the Pomeranian dog mentioned in it has died of unknown causes, although it is not likely coronavirus. See Forbes for more information.
It’s all over the news. The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading and affecting lives everywhere. However, it’s not only causing illness, it’s causing confusion and fear. It is an emerging disease, so there is still a lot we don’t know or understand. This uncertainty can be perplexing. It even has pet owners questioning how this could affect their companions. Although there is still a lot to discover about how this virus will act, that doesn’t mean we should be fearful for our pets. Rather, there are things people can do to keep their pets safe and healthy.
Knowledge Is Power
The first place to start is by focusing on what we do know about the disease. COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus. Viruses are microscopic agents that contain genetic material. They get inside the cells of other organisms and essentially hijack the cells’ operating system in order to replicate more of themselves. The new little viruses then leave the cell and move on to another one to repeat the cycle. Viruses infect all sorts of life, including animals, plants, and even bacteria. Some viruses are very benign to the host cell they take over. Others viruses can cause severe damage and death to the cell and the larger host organism.
Coronaviruses are a group of well-known viruses that have been studied for years. They consist of many different types and have been identified in humans, cats, dogs, pigs, and birds. Bird species found to have coronavirus include pigeons, pheasants, chickens, and turkeys. Typically, coronaviruses are problematic in young animals but mild or asymptomatic in adults. The virus mostly is found in respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, causing problems in these organ systems. Coronaviruses are generally species-specific and infect only one group of animals. For example, coronavirus that infects chickens usually won’t cause problems for humans.
How COVID-19 Likely Developed
COVID-19 is new though, so how did it develop? One of the interesting things about viruses is that they mutate. This means that their genetic material can change accidentally as the virus replicates in a host cell. These changes can make it so the virus can now infect a new host. Or it can make it so that the virus is now more virulent — stronger and able to cause more damage. Research is showing that COVID-19 is likely to have jumped from bats to humans in a live animal and seafood market in China. It then spread from human to human, likely through respiratory secretions like saliva and mucous when people cough and sneeze.
Is COVID-19 A Danger To Pets?
The question pet owners have on their minds is if the virus could pass from people to their companion animals. The risk of this occurring seemed to be low. However, at the end of February, a Pomeranian owned by a person who was sick with COVID-19 was found to test weakly positive for the virus. The dog was rechecked and continued to test positive for the RNA of the virus. The dog remains free of symptoms though and is negative for antibodies to the virus. This means that its immune system, as of yet, has not recognized or reacted to the virus. The dog is still under quarantine and being monitored.*
Testing by one of the large veterinary laboratories has, so far, found no positive dogs or cats in samples they have analyzed. Testing is still ongoing, so things could change regarding what we know about how COVID-19 affects pets. At this time, COVID-19 appears to be a low risk of disease transmission to pets.
Are Pet Birds At Risk?
When it comes to pet birds, at this time, there is no evidence to support that it could transfer to them. Given that birds and mammals are two largely different groups and the virus is not even transferring well between mammal species at this time, it is unlikely to be a problem for birds. As previously mentioned, coronaviruses are usually species-specific. This makes it more likely that the virus cannot spread from humans to pet birds.
Recommendations From The AVMA
Although the likelihood of transmission is low it never hurts to be cautious, and times like these remind us about the importance of biosecurity. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that people infected with COVID-19 have limited contact with their pets and allow others to care for them until we better understand the virus. The AVMA also recommends against kissing, hugging, and sharing food with pets. This prevents respiratory secretions of infected people being spread to animals.
What Should Pet Bird Owners Do?
Previous viral outbreaks in birds have taught people how to practice good biosecurity. The following are ways pet owners can implement biosecurity in their homes.
Quarantine: Any sick humans in the home should have limited contact with their pet birds until they are healthy again. Likewise, any sick birds should be isolated from healthy individuals. Any new birds coming into a home should have a 30-day minimum period where they are not around other birds in the house. This recommendation is not specific to COVID-19 and is a good rule to live by to minimize the risk of all infectious diseases.
Hand Washing: Make sure to wash your hands before and after handling and interacting with your bird and their accessories, such as their cage items or food. We can easily spread bacteria, viruses, and other infectious agents on our hands without knowing it. Simply washing your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds can go a long way to preventing problems.
Monitor for illness and seek professional care when necessary: If you notice your bird is not feeling well, have him or her checked out by a veterinarian skilled in avian care. Even the smallest of changes in their behavior can sometimes be an indication something is wrong. Don’t wait until they are really acting ill. If you yourself are ill with COVID-19, ask a friend to bring your bird to the vet for you.
Cleaning and Disinfecting: Make sure to clean surfaces, cages, and items that have been soiled or have come in contact with biologic items (i.e., feces, respiratory secretions). Many common disinfectants have been shown to be effective against coronaviruses. The CDC lists numerous disinfectants that are useful, including bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and quaternary ammoniums. Read product labels and instructions in order to use them correctly. Bleach and hydrogen peroxide are safe for use around birds, but note that all animals must be kept away from the fumes of products while in use.
Be Prepared
During times of uncertainty, whether it’s a natural disaster, an economic crisis, or a disease outbreak, it’s good for pet owners to be prepared for both their needs and their birds’ needs. Have stocks of emergency supplies on hand, and at least a two week’s supply of food for all pets. For birds on medications, have at least two week’s medication available, if not more. Have an emergency pet first-aid kit available that includes items like antiseptic cleansing agent, bandaging material, styptic powder, and copies of health records.
In conclusion, COVID-19 may be a pandemic but that doesn’t mean pet owners should panic. Take more control of the situation by understanding how the virus is likely to behave and taking the appropriate measures to be prepared with supplies at home. Also, learn how infected people should interact with their pets. Implementing appropriate biosecurity measures, as is recommended with birds anyway, can help to reduce the chances of serious illness entering our flocks.
*Addendum March 19, 2020: The 17-year old Pomeranian dog died 2 days after being released from quarantine. The cause of death is unknown and the owner declined a necropsy, but sources close to the case told the South China Morning Post “It is very unlikely the virus had any contribution to the death of the dog”. Hong Kong veterinarians speculated that the dog’s death could have been related to stress and anxiety in this geriatric animal with underlying health problems. Visit Forbes.com for more information. See below link for original article.
Summertime Safety
Summer has come, and with it has come beautiful weather and (hopefully) some free time. Many of us would like to take our parrots out to enjoy the sun, but doing so can be dangerous. Even the best behaved bird can take off, whether it’s due to being startled or mischievous. Having properly clipped wings is no guarantee. Wings that have been clipped appropriately still grant some gliding power, therefore the wind can grant lift that can take your bird to unexpected places. Even if they glide safely to the ground, a bird of prey or non-aerial predator can grab them, or they can land in the path of a vehicle.
These dangers are why we always strongly advise you to never take your bird outside without a harness, or a cage/carrier and never leave your bird unattended for even a minute. Even in a cage, an bird left alone can be harassed or attacked by predators, or stolen by unscrupulous humans. Many of our customers have bought an Aviator Harness from us for birds as small as parrtotlets or as large as moluccan cockatoos.
Want something that you can use all year and for more reasons? Our Celltei bird carriers can be taken on bike rides, hiking, to and from the vet, and make an excellent night-time cage that is perfect for emergency situations.
How to Handle Power Outages: Tackling the Darkness and the Cold
Now that the fall is upon us, many people are beginning to be concerned about power outages. A question some bird owners may be asking is, “what can I do to make a power outage as safe and as non-scary as possible for my bird”? The two issues that you may face are:
The lack of light is a slightly easier problem to tackle. Keeping your house stocked with battery operated lights and lamps for both your own benefit, and that of your animal friends, along with spare batteries, is a great way to prepare for anything ranging from a simple power outage to the aftermath of an earthquake. Always keep multiple ones in your home so that you can use them in more than one room, and tackle varying degrees of darkness. .
Gas run heating devices may seem like the most attractive and obvious option, but, in actuality, any heating device or generator that can produce fumes from fuels such as gasoline or kerosene can be dangerous to your birds’ sensitive respiratory system. In the event of a power outage, you can begin with the following steps:
If there is a long lasting outage, such as a several day outage, you may need to bring your bird somewhere less stressful, such as a friends’ house. Even if you can maintain a safe temperature, the darkness and disruption may be overwhelming if it continues on too long.
UVB Lights Information
Benefits & Risks
One of the goals of enriching the lives of our companion birds is to ensure that they receive optimal environmental conditions. As Guardians of our birds’ health, another important goal is to avoid causing harm. UV lighting has both the potential to improve as well as harm the health of our birds. Client education on proper UV lighting for birds had received little attention from the veterinary community until only recently. In addition, there had historically been a considerable amount of misinformation and lack of information from the pet industry on this subject. This discussion will focus on parrots but applies to all birds in captivity.
Key Points
What do I do if my Bird Lays Eggs?
First we need to understand what triggers egg laying. There are several factors that influence egg-laying birds:
Read more
First Aid Kit
Deciding what should be in your first aid kit for avian emergencies will depend on how comfortable you are in carrying out certain procedures, the availability of an avian veterinarian in your area, and your own knowledge of avian medicine.
Read more
Products We Will NOT Recommend and Why
There are a bunch of materials that we think will work when taking care of birds, but there here is a list that is really bad for your feathery friend.
Read more
The one-person bird (AKA:The ‘you must like everybody you meet fallacy’)
Owner expectations
A common complaint heard by behaviorists, is the inability of some parrots to “like” EVERY individual in a human flock, and to socialize equally with each flock member.
Read more
Why clip a bird wings?
Each pet bird owner, from small Budgies to large Macaws, is faced with the decision of whether to clip their pet’s wings. To help you make an informed decision, here are some pros and cons, which can be applied to your particular bird and situation.
Read more