Can Everybody Get Bird Fancier's Lung Disease?

[monjur sayad]

Hi, I bought 4 pair Budgies and 1 pair Cockatiels since 4 month. I keep them separate room in my house. Today I notice, The Bird owner get Bird Fancier's Lung Disease from these birds. After that now I am very afraid. But I also love birds. But I heard and I read that The Bird Fancier's Lung Disease solution is avoid the birds completely. Now I am disappointed. Can it have any tips? that I will keep birds and don't get Bird Fancier's Lung Disease?? Help me.. Thanks

 

[Mizzely]

It is mostly caused by droppings that dry and become airborne and then inhaled. If you clean your cages often you will reduce your risk considerably. The dust from some species like cockatiels definitely can be a factor, but you can alleviate this by not sleeping in the same room as the bird, and by having a quality air purifier in your home

 

[Hankmacaw]

There are a number of steps you can take to avoid Bird Fancier's Lung (BFL).
Keep your cages immaculately clean and use a mask to clean.
Make sure your birds have ample opportunity to bathe
Keep your birds in a separate room or outside (if possible)
Keep a couple of air purifiers running 24/7

Very few people actually get BFL and those who do generally don't follow the basic rules of cleanliness.

 

[monjur sayad]

ok.but powder from get birds body main cause in bfl. im very afraid. i have also asthma.but bird not worsen my asthma. can any alternative in air purifier?

 

[Lady Jane]

You have been given good advice here. If you continue to have concerns I suggest you talk to your doctor about this. He may want a chest X ray for a baseline.

 

[Matto]

A good hepa air purifier is a great investment.

 

[Sunny&Mars]

Any brands you recommend? Is BFL more of an issue with bigger birds?

 

[Mizzely]

Any brands you recommend? Is BFL more of an issue with bigger birds?

No it's an issue with dust producing species like cockatiels, cockatoos, and African greys, or for anyone that doesn't clean up droppings on a regular basis

 

[Matto]

Any brands you recommend? Is BFL more of an issue with bigger birds?

The two most popular with bird owners are rabbit air and austin air. But there are many cheaper ones on amazon. Just make sure that they are hepa and do not have an ionizer.

 

[Mizzely]

I've had a Holmes TrueHEPA a number of years and been satisfied

 

[Matto]

I also wear a dust mask when cleaning cages. It may be unnecessary but better safe than sorry.

 

[monjur sayad]

Dust mask unnecessary means?it is not work?

 

[Mizzely]

Dust mask unnecessary means?it is not work?

Unnecessary means "not needed" so it's an extra precaution he is taking.

 

[monjur sayad]

oh. which tips can i follow prevention for this disase?im very afraid after read that. but i love my birds very much.

 

[Mockinbirdiva]

I also use a water bottle with the tip on mist and mist the papers so the dust and dander don't become airborne when I roll the paper up to take it out. I change my papers in the cages every day. I mist the floors too and wipe those at the end of each day.

 

[Mizzely]

oh. which tips can i follow prevention for this disase?im very afraid after read that. but i love my birds very much.

The only tip that was perhaps "not needed" was the one with the face mask. All of the other tips in the thread are still good tips. Specifically cleaning the cage papers often and using an air purifier are the biggest helps.

 

[Tiel Feathers]

Every day I clean my cockatiels cages, vacuum, and wipe off their play sets. I thoroughly dust my house every four weeks, I run an air purifier, and I give my birds a bath whenever they will let me. I have very little bird dust in my house, and all their droppings are cleaned up every day. I’m sure the odds of getting this disease are very, very small if you do these types of things.

 

[painesgrey]

Any brands you recommend? Is BFL more of an issue with bigger birds?

I bought two Levoit air purifiers off Amazon and have been pleased with them so far. They're far more affordable than the Austin and Rabbit filters I was looking at.

I have the smaller of the two in the bird room, and the larger in the living room. Since I moved into a home that doesn't have central air, this has worked wonders in keeping dust down around the house. Definitely a worthwhile investment IMO, and anyone with allergies or asthma could easily place a small one in their bedroom too.

 

[monjur sayad]

how many birds ar safe?one say huge amount bird are more cause in this lung disase.

 

[Mizzely]

There is no real way to know. Some people are more sensitive to things than others.