Update: PCR testing - cage sample positive for PBFD

[criswell]

Thanks Ira. That's really good to know

[criswell]

I got a PCR test result today and the cage sample is positive for PBFD. I knew it had to be PBFD based on the progression of Dean Stockwell's feather loss but it's made me feel even more sad for him. He was such a brave little budgie and this is a horrible disease.

[willowsmum]

So sorry to hear that criswell. He was indeed a very brave boy and a horrible condition for him to have to deal with.

What are your plans now you have the confirmation? I know you laid them out earlier but I'm not sure if you will do anything differently now.

[criswell]

Thank you willowsmum . I think I will stick with the plan. I will certainly proceed with deep cleaning the cage once I'm sure it won't distress Dexter too much. I'm not sure about the rest of the plan though. Dexter is doing ok by himself but I know he would be happier with a friend but I'm not sure that I will feel safe bringing another bird into the house.

I feel bad enough that it spread between Dean Stockwell and Randolph Carter, and I will always wonder if it shorten Randolph Carter's life too. RC didn't lose any feathers but his tail feathers showed abnormalities a few months after Dean Stockwell came to stay. The worst part of the disease is the harm it does to the immune system and we almost lost RC to a liver infection 6 months after Dean Stockwell joined us. We don't know what the mass was that Mr RC had in has abdomen, if it was due to a tumour or an infection. It may well be that it had nothing to do with PBFD but I will always feel it was my fault.

[Loz]

I feel so sorry for your predicament and for Dexter, criswell.
I have no idea what to wish for in terms of outcomes but I hope it's as happy as it can be for all of you.
I feel bad for you guys there but I know you will have a plan and will do the best that can be done.

Edit: upsettingly, I got the wrong name in my original post and have now corrected it.

[ffiscool]

I am sorry that it was that and therefore decisions are harder.

Is the room Dexter is in, the only room he could be in? just thinking about deep cleaning the room, so that little is left and would be a shorter time etc..

Plus maybe the new same cage?

[Marianne Marlow]

So sorry for this news. I can see why you're worried about bringing another budgie into the house.

[tweetiepiesmom]

I also am sorry to hear this. Will you deep clean, let Dexter live in the cage/room and then retest to see if its been eliminated? I seem to recall some directions that I read which said to clean the cage, then spray with F10 and put it in the sun to dry. Whenever I use my guys travel/hospital cage, that is what I do. This time of year, I'm not sure how much sun you are getting. Good luck!

[Ira]

Sorry to hear that it's in the room. If you managed to clean the room effectively, would you also need Dexter tested to see if he had the disease?

[Loz]

I recall criswell outlining her thoughts on testing. I believe it was along the lines of if PBFD is in the room, it can be assumed to be in Dexter and thus he can be spared the trauma of being tested himself?
I only mention this because I admire criswell's logical, step-by-step, least-harm approach to this awful business.

[mona]

So sorry to hear about this criswell. You must be so worried.. I've been worried with Milli's feather loss too..

[ariella]

It must feel overwhelming criswell. I don’t have anything useful to suggest unfortunately other than offer support and at least you now know. I always find not knowing to be worse, even if it’s not good news. You’ve been so sensible with planning everything so meticulously. Please try not to think upon Randolph Carter and Dean Stockwell suffering and blaming yourself. They were both so loved and well cared for and now I’m certain you’ll do everything to keep Dexter as safe as possible.
It’s good for you to come on here and share your thoughts and know we all care.

I hope Milli isn’t getting any worse mona.

[Hezz]

Ah, this was not the news we were hoping for, but probably what we were expecting. Would you be able to talk it over with your avian vet, as to requirements, expectations and outcomes? It sometimes helps to have someone who isn’t emotionally invested to mull things over with.

[willowsmum]

Please try not to blame yourself criswell. You did the absolute best that you could for your boys. Giving them the best possible care and a loving home and you are continuing to do the best for Dexter too x

[criswell]

Thank you eveyone. You are all so brilliant and I really appreciate all of your comments and suggestions.

It isn't certain that Dexter has the virus. From what I've read it's possible for adult birds to eliminate the virus from their system. Since he doesn't have any symptoms this could be the case but it is possible for a bird to carry the virus asymptomatically. So I think I will get Dexter tested, probably during the Easter school holidays, as it's much easier to get him to the vets when we are both off work, and it will give him a bit more time to get settled. He's definitely less anxious when I go near his cage, although he gets stressed if I shut the cage doors. The main time the doors are shut is if we are going to catch a budgie for a vet trip or medicine so he seems to have associated shut cage doors with something bad happening. I'm trying to change that by shutting the cage doors for a little while for no reason.

This is what our vet has said about PBFD transmission -
"It's most transmissible to young birds, but can be transmitted at any age. Birds are more likely to carry it asymptomatically when they are infected older, but we can still see disease in older birds.

In the mean time I'll get on with the cleaning. My lounge could do with a really thorough spring cleaning anyway as there are places like the top of the wall mounted speakers that haven't been cleaned in a while. It also needs a good sort out as there are a lot of things in the room that don't need to be there. And then I'll get some more samples done. I'm so glad I've found a company that will do PCR tests for £10.

I can move Dexter to a different room temporarily - he can easily move to my teaching room if I don't have any students. The dining room is no good as it's a bit damp in there. He could go upstairs to the guest bedroom longer term but he wouldn't have tv in there so I don't think he would approve! He doesn't mind me cleaning the room though. He quite likes the hoover noise, but he will be better out of the room if I'm moving furniture around or washing down the walls.

The real deciding factor will be if Dexter is carrying the virus or not.