my parakeet has psittacosis.dont no what to do!!?

Question

my parakeet has been tested for psittacosis today by the vet and it has came back positive that he has it .im so upset as i love my bird he is part of are family he`s 2yrs old he eats but sleeps alot .the vet said its treatable and i will need to give him medication twice aday for 6weeks! and keep him isolated,i have grandchildren and im very worried incase they could catch it! im confused and dont no what to do . if i decide to do this medication for him twice aday will it clear it up and he`ll be better? or am i wasting my time? my vet hasent explained this to me properly so im confused!i love my bird should i give it a go but will after all this he`ll be clear please help....... and should i get my grandschildren checked out they seem ok and dont realy have much contact with the bird but should i still check it out ? i need some advice right now please help !!

my grandchildren dont handle the bird they just look at him in his cage ,at the moment the bird has been put into a isolated room and the children have kept away from this room ,is it still ok for the granchildren to come to my home as long as they keep away from the bird?

we made a heartbreaking decision to have him put to sleep yesterday .we are upset but i think it was for the best .i just dont want my grandchildren to be put at risk !thank you to all of your answers very helpfull thank you again ;(

Answer 1

Jesus, Please keep your grandkids away from your house and please have them tested ASAP. Everyone who has come in contact with that bird should be tested.

Yes your bird can be treated but will always come up pos for it. So a titer test will have to be done. It does not mean your bird should be destroyed, but please do not bring another bird into your house.

Will this bird shed the virus again, it might! Do i think you need to go back where you bought this bird, YES.

It is mandatory that the CDC be contacted because this disease is contagious to humans. It has been known to kill humans, only because it's not diagnosed in time. Now that you know what the bird has, those who came in contact with the bird can be treated.

Humans start off with flu like symtoms and then a massive headache.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Follow the advice of the vet and give the medication and keep people and other birds away. Be extra clean when handling your bird and since you can't help but to have contact with the infected bird, you should get yourself screened, as well. Psittacosis is highly contagious both to other birds as well as to humans. Children and the elderly are most susceptible to psittacosis as their immune systems may not be as strong. Once your bird gets over it, you need to start taking all birds in the house for regular testing.

Answer 3

The medication has worked every time for the birds in my shelter. I would check it out with the kids because it's really hard to spot in parrots, much less humans. If it progresses, it can actually prove fatal!
The meds are NOT a waste of time, and neither is getting your grandchildren checked.

Answer 4

FIRST OFF, MAKE SURE YOUR BIRD'S CAGE IS IMMACULATE. ONCE CURED, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WON'T COME BACK. IT'S BEST TO KEEP YOUR GRANDKIDS AWAY FROM YOUR BIRD. I FOUND OUT EVERYTHING ON
IT'S BEST TO GO DIRECTLY TO EXPERTS IN A CASE LIKE THIS. GOOD LUCK

Answer 5

Here are two websites that have reliable and easily understood information about psittacosis in birds and in humans.

http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/psittacosis.htm

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/psittacosis.html

If you still have questions, please go back to your vet and make him sit and explain the prognosis after treatment for your parakeet. He is not doing his job properly if he is not helping you understand everything. And if you have questions about your health or the health of your family, please discuss them with your family physician.