Post by Loz on Feb 3, 2024 9:25:29 GMT
Sincere apologies if this topic has been thoroughly discussed in the past.
I'm going to selfishly talk about what AGY means to me as a budgie-lover and as a rehoming addict but any viewpoints and experiences are welcome here.
I have a couple of reasons for believing that AGY is present in my flock of sixteen budgies. There were a couple of budgies who passed away over the past two years whose condition was never determined but in hindsight, whose symptoms match those of AGY. Subsequently, two budgies were introduced who came from a flock known to have AGY present. There is no blame whatsoever attaching to their previous owner, who had no knowledge of AGY being present in their flock. (I cannot stress enough how much I don't blame anyone for the situation, I only have sympathy for what they must be feeling now.) Previous introductions of new budgies could equally have introduced the disease into my flock and as I say, there is circumstantial evidence that AGY predates the introduction of the two aforementioned budgies.
I could get fecal matter from the flock tested but testing often throws up false negatives, so a series of tests might be required. I see no point in that, given the strong likelihood that it is present in my flock.
AGY can exist asymptomatically in budgies - a clean environment with no stress sources plus a good diet can mean that budgies never exhibit AGY symptoms, unless some other condition reduces their resistance. AGY is seen by some authorities as opportunistic, in a sense, as it will start harming a bird who is already struggling with some other issue.
Some authorities believe that AGY might be present in up to 50% of all budgies, due to its transmissibility and its often asymptomatic nature.
Without a diagnosis of AGY, an owner might act as though there is no AGY present in their flock. This means that new budgies could be introduced to the flock , exposing them all to AGY and the sensible thirty-day quarantine period will have little effect on matters, as no symptoms are presenting. I think this scenario applies to me.
So, what does all this mean for me?
I love re-homing budgies. It means so much to me to secure the future of a bird, not to mention the joy I receive from the new flock member and the delight of watching it become a member of its new family. I'd give up this activity instantly if I thought I was putting new budgies at risk and indeed, I have decided at present to no longer re-home species of bird that are susceptible to AGY. This may be the absolutely correct decision but it could be wrong, if AGY is as prevalent in the general budgie population as some think. I could be denying a safe home to budgies in need for no net benefit. I don't know.
More immediately, I have two budgies half-way through their quarantine. There is no specific reason to assume that they have AGY although they came from a breeder with thirty-five budgies in attendance. Statistically, there is a good chance they have been exposed, unless the breeder has taken extreme steps to ensure his flock is "clean".
What to do? An extended quarantine whilst I test the two budgies for AGY? When will I be able to decide that the budgies are AGY-free, how many tests are required for this? Re-home the budgies if they are clean? Do I introduce the budgies into the flock and trust that my current care regimen is good enough to keep them safe from harm?
Long-term quarantining, indeed, keeping the two new budgies as a separate flock, is not ideal but may be the kindest and most responsible course of action. I am realistic though at the chances of a slip in the future. I cannot foresee up to ten years of successful separation, there is always a chance that the two flocks will intersect at some point.
Re-homing the two budgies is problematic. I would have to disclose the proximity of AGY to them - after all, there's an outside chance that I have already introduced the fungus to the new girls via my hands or clothes. Am I going to be able to find someone willing to take them on, to take that risk?
A head-in-the-sand approach would be, just introduce the new girls and trust that I will keep them in sufficient good health to be able to keep the AGY at bay. It's the simplest option but it seems to be the most selfish. It could be the right choice but it feels awful to me.
I feel stuck. It might be that AGY has always been a feature in my budgies experience and always would have been. If that's the case, surely it's best to just carry on as I have been doing?
Or has my previous ignorance of AGY meant I was living in fantasy world and it's time now to wake up, be responsible and close the door on future budgie exploits and adventures?
I welcome any thoughts.
I'm going to selfishly talk about what AGY means to me as a budgie-lover and as a rehoming addict but any viewpoints and experiences are welcome here.
I have a couple of reasons for believing that AGY is present in my flock of sixteen budgies. There were a couple of budgies who passed away over the past two years whose condition was never determined but in hindsight, whose symptoms match those of AGY. Subsequently, two budgies were introduced who came from a flock known to have AGY present. There is no blame whatsoever attaching to their previous owner, who had no knowledge of AGY being present in their flock. (I cannot stress enough how much I don't blame anyone for the situation, I only have sympathy for what they must be feeling now.) Previous introductions of new budgies could equally have introduced the disease into my flock and as I say, there is circumstantial evidence that AGY predates the introduction of the two aforementioned budgies.
I could get fecal matter from the flock tested but testing often throws up false negatives, so a series of tests might be required. I see no point in that, given the strong likelihood that it is present in my flock.
AGY can exist asymptomatically in budgies - a clean environment with no stress sources plus a good diet can mean that budgies never exhibit AGY symptoms, unless some other condition reduces their resistance. AGY is seen by some authorities as opportunistic, in a sense, as it will start harming a bird who is already struggling with some other issue.
Some authorities believe that AGY might be present in up to 50% of all budgies, due to its transmissibility and its often asymptomatic nature.
Without a diagnosis of AGY, an owner might act as though there is no AGY present in their flock. This means that new budgies could be introduced to the flock , exposing them all to AGY and the sensible thirty-day quarantine period will have little effect on matters, as no symptoms are presenting. I think this scenario applies to me.
So, what does all this mean for me?
I love re-homing budgies. It means so much to me to secure the future of a bird, not to mention the joy I receive from the new flock member and the delight of watching it become a member of its new family. I'd give up this activity instantly if I thought I was putting new budgies at risk and indeed, I have decided at present to no longer re-home species of bird that are susceptible to AGY. This may be the absolutely correct decision but it could be wrong, if AGY is as prevalent in the general budgie population as some think. I could be denying a safe home to budgies in need for no net benefit. I don't know.
More immediately, I have two budgies half-way through their quarantine. There is no specific reason to assume that they have AGY although they came from a breeder with thirty-five budgies in attendance. Statistically, there is a good chance they have been exposed, unless the breeder has taken extreme steps to ensure his flock is "clean".
What to do? An extended quarantine whilst I test the two budgies for AGY? When will I be able to decide that the budgies are AGY-free, how many tests are required for this? Re-home the budgies if they are clean? Do I introduce the budgies into the flock and trust that my current care regimen is good enough to keep them safe from harm?
Long-term quarantining, indeed, keeping the two new budgies as a separate flock, is not ideal but may be the kindest and most responsible course of action. I am realistic though at the chances of a slip in the future. I cannot foresee up to ten years of successful separation, there is always a chance that the two flocks will intersect at some point.
Re-homing the two budgies is problematic. I would have to disclose the proximity of AGY to them - after all, there's an outside chance that I have already introduced the fungus to the new girls via my hands or clothes. Am I going to be able to find someone willing to take them on, to take that risk?
A head-in-the-sand approach would be, just introduce the new girls and trust that I will keep them in sufficient good health to be able to keep the AGY at bay. It's the simplest option but it seems to be the most selfish. It could be the right choice but it feels awful to me.
I feel stuck. It might be that AGY has always been a feature in my budgies experience and always would have been. If that's the case, surely it's best to just carry on as I have been doing?
Or has my previous ignorance of AGY meant I was living in fantasy world and it's time now to wake up, be responsible and close the door on future budgie exploits and adventures?
I welcome any thoughts.
