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@louie'smom
To protect your B&G from PHS the only absolutely sure way is to get rid of either your B&G or your African Grey. That said, there are people who have kept both species, some for many years, without issue. The problem with that is that no macaw has a sign on their forehead saying that they aren't sensitive to powder down. So those of us who care about our parrots either don't mix the two species or take special precautions against this 100% deadly disease. Remember it only took about two years for Zoe (Red Fronted macaw) to accumulate enough powder down in her respiratory system to kill her.
One thing you must do is have at least one very good Air Purifier and one for each bird is better. There are many brands on Amazon. Second you must not, never, ever house both birds in the same room and more desirable not in the same air source. If you can house them at different ends of the house with doors between that is good (with the air purifiers).
You must clean and especially dust much more often that the average. Make sure your vacuum has a HEPA filter. The powder down is so very small that it travel everywhere and gets into every crack and relofts into the air easily. Give your AG at least two soaking baths a week. Your B&G will need extra baths too to rid her of any dust that has settled on her feathers. Never let them out together inside the house. Being close like that in an enclosed space increases the odds greatly. Out side in the open air in an aviary setting is relatively safe.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Also known as macaw pulmonary hypersensitivity, macaw asthma, macaw polycythemia, and macaw pneumonitis, this disease is most commonly seen in blue and gold macaws (Ara ararauna). Relative secondary polycythemia is a common finding. Exposure to powder-producing birds such as cockatoos (Cacatua spp.) and African grey parrots is believed to be a predisposing cause. Clinical signs include exertional dyspnea, cyanosis, and a dry, non-productive cough. Definitive diagnosis is through endoscopic lung biopsy. Treatment is aimed at improving air quality, removing potential allergens, treating secondary opportunistic infections. Prolonged treatment with systemic corticosteroids is not generally advised in birds due to the risks of severe immunocompromise.
www.dvm360.com
To protect your B&G from PHS the only absolutely sure way is to get rid of either your B&G or your African Grey. That said, there are people who have kept both species, some for many years, without issue. The problem with that is that no macaw has a sign on their forehead saying that they aren't sensitive to powder down. So those of us who care about our parrots either don't mix the two species or take special precautions against this 100% deadly disease. Remember it only took about two years for Zoe (Red Fronted macaw) to accumulate enough powder down in her respiratory system to kill her.
One thing you must do is have at least one very good Air Purifier and one for each bird is better. There are many brands on Amazon. Second you must not, never, ever house both birds in the same room and more desirable not in the same air source. If you can house them at different ends of the house with doors between that is good (with the air purifiers).
You must clean and especially dust much more often that the average. Make sure your vacuum has a HEPA filter. The powder down is so very small that it travel everywhere and gets into every crack and relofts into the air easily. Give your AG at least two soaking baths a week. Your B&G will need extra baths too to rid her of any dust that has settled on her feathers. Never let them out together inside the house. Being close like that in an enclosed space increases the odds greatly. Out side in the open air in an aviary setting is relatively safe.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Also known as macaw pulmonary hypersensitivity, macaw asthma, macaw polycythemia, and macaw pneumonitis, this disease is most commonly seen in blue and gold macaws (Ara ararauna). Relative secondary polycythemia is a common finding. Exposure to powder-producing birds such as cockatoos (Cacatua spp.) and African grey parrots is believed to be a predisposing cause. Clinical signs include exertional dyspnea, cyanosis, and a dry, non-productive cough. Definitive diagnosis is through endoscopic lung biopsy. Treatment is aimed at improving air quality, removing potential allergens, treating secondary opportunistic infections. Prolonged treatment with systemic corticosteroids is not generally advised in birds due to the risks of severe immunocompromise.
Avian respiratory medicine (Proceedings)
Respiratory disease is relatively common in companion birds.
Macaw Asthma in Birds
Macaw Respiratory Hypersensitivity (or Macaw Asthma) is a lung and airway disease which causes an allergic reaction in the bird. Blue and gold macaws are especially prone to this condition.
www.petmd.com
. I don't have any large birds and I don't plan to for at least the next 10 years but I never knew this. Is this where mixing old world and new world birds come into place? Does the new world/old world stuff apply to smaller birds like gcc's and tiels as well as larger birds? Sorry for all the questions...
