Can keeping a cockatiel cause lung problems and breathing problems?

Question

as i have a teenage daughter who has breathing problems and i have been told the birds could make her worse and actually damage her lungs ??? please help !

Answer 1

That is the absolute truth. The dander from the birds is microscopic and easily inhaled, can lead to syndromes that cause permanent damage and scarring on the lungs. This is especially true for those with already impaired respiratory function. For the sake of your daughter, get rid of the birds, or at least get them out of the house.

Answer 2

Some people are allergic to the Dander that birds give off and asthmatics may find that going near the bird will trigger an attack.
Saying this, somtimes it does depend on how well the bird is kept.

If she is showing no more signs of illness then you are probably ok, just make usre the bird is cleaned out regulary.

Also another way to make things more comftable for her is to spray the bird lioghtly with some warm water every other day. use a plant mister and only do it in the mornings so the bird has time to dry off.
this helps keep the dander down as the bird prunes..

You can actually buy products designed to reduce the dander but i have found that water works just as well and is a lot cheaper!

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Cockatiel Problems

Answer 4

I had to give my daughter's budgie away to friends because I have asthma so I guess that is the case with your daughter but many breathing problems are triggered by differtent things so it might be wise to get her tested before getting rid of the birds. The very worst thing for me is cats.

Answer 5

Yes this is true. Psittacosis is the disease caused by pet birds. It is like asbestosis or silicosis.
This web site gives more information.

www.bbc.co.uk/health/ask_the_doctor/psittacosis.

Sorry but the bird has to go or your daughter may become worse.

Answer 6

Can one bird give you Bird Fancier Lung, this bird is around me all the time, and sits on my shoulder I know I have been exposed to his dropping, although I keep his cage clean.

Answer 7

This isn't true! Many people with asthma and allergies can have pet birds with no problem at all. I worked with a lady that was a very sickly asthmatic and cares for dozens of birds of all kinds in her home. She has a special room for them, and rehabilitates problem birds and takes her birds to nursing homes. I also have asthma and respiratory problems and have had love birds and budgies. They are very social and require a lot of attention, so that they do not become lonely and ornery. Hand-fed cockatiels can bond with you and learn to speak. They are sooo cute. As far as making you sick - if she has already had allergy tests and is not allergic to feathers she should be ok. Keeping the cage clean does not take that long.
A sick bird cannot pass on illness to it's owners EXCEPT for Psittacosis. Psittacosis is a chlamydia (between bacteria and viruses) and can be given to humans. It is not very common and a healthy bird is safe to purchase. Especially if you can get a hand-raised or hand-fed baby from friends. If you are thinking of getting a cockatiel, make sure it is a healthy bird. The following is from a New York Communicable diseases site on the web:

What is psittacosis?

Psittacosis is an infectious disease usually transmitted to humans from birds in the parrot family, turkeys and pigeons. It is caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia psittaci.

Who gets psittacosis?

Since this disease is spread by birds in the parrot family, it is occasionally found in pet store workers and people who have purchased an infected bird. It may also be found in farmers and slaughterhouse workers who process turkeys.

How is psittacosis spread?

Psittacosis is usually spread by inhaling dust from dried droppings from bird cages and by handling infected birds in slaughterhouses. Human to human spread has not been reported. Waste material in the bird cage may remain infectious for weeks.

What are the symptoms of psittacosis?

In humans, the symptoms are fever, headache, chills and sometimes pneumonia. In birds, the symptoms include poor appetite, ruffled appearance, eye or nose discharge and diarrhea. Occasionally, birds may die from psittacosis. Some birds may shed the organism while exhibiting no symptoms.

How soon after infection do symptoms appear?

The incubation period may range from four to 15 days but is usually 10 days.

How is psittacosis diagnosed?

In humans, the diagnosis can be made by special blood antibody tests. In birds, veterinarians can diagnose the infection by conducting a special chlamydia test on a swab of fecal material.

Does past infection with psittacosis make a person immune?

Infection does not provide permanent immunity to this disease.

What is the treatment for psittacosis?

Antibiotics such as tetracycline are often prescribed. Tetracycline is effective in both humans and birds.

What can be the effect of not being treated for psittacosis?

The disease may be severe, and result in death, especially in untreated older people.

What can be done to prevent the spread of psittacosis?

If birds are kept as pets, clean the cage often so that fecal material does not accumulate, dry up and become airborne. Current laws require that members of the parrot family that are imported from foreign countries be kept in a bird quarantine station prior to sale. During the quarantine, they are given feed containing tetracycline to reduce the risk of infection, but the duration of treatment is generally shorter than the 45 days necessary to completely treat the bird. Therefore, federal health authorities have recently recommended that breeders and importers ensure that all domestic nestlings and imported birds receive the special tetracycline feed for 45 continuous days in order to prevent the spread of psittacosis from birds to humans.

Answer 8

1

Answer 9

chemicals and dust in bird droppings have been known to cause lung problems, pigeons are especially bad.

Answer 10

only if shes allergic. cockatiels are dusty birds. this can be kept under control with an air filter and vaccuuming daily.