It's been a very busy week, besides being a very emotional one.
I've spent a great deal of time talking with Dr. Taylor, my Vet and others living with PDD. The more I've learned about PDD, the more confusing and frustrating you realize this disease is.There are so many unanswered questions, that i HAVE to learn to accept, there simply is NO answers for those of us living with PDD to obtain. Just alot of views, speculation which brings us to live and breath for hope, luck and miracles.
At this time, i've made some important decisions that I didn't want to make, didn't want to think about.........but have no choice BUT to face this darkness and i've had to learn that I can no longer deny any horrifying truth that PDD holds.
I've decided and discussed with my support team (Dr. Taylor and Dr. Kover) that Quality of life is important, if not THE most important. We've come to the conclusion that all my birds have had exposure to PDD through detailed disussions. Therefore, I am NOT seperating them. I have made sure JoJo and Callie are at one end of the Room , Jeffery in another corner, Bella in another. there is a large distance between these 3 set ups.
In the other portion of the Bird room, I've made a section for the Timneh's. Bailey and Zack are now sharing a very large Macaw cage and play area and Simon is on his own in another corner.
So far, all birds appear to be happy and accepting of the change, however Simon is a bit sad because he no longer has the ability to climb on Bailey and Zack's area. I may decide to move Simon into the family room with us, as he is the one that most attached to me and has no bird play mate. Im sure Simon would love that.
Strict cleaning measures rule my day. Cleaning each station of birds at a time, throughly including bowls that belong to that bird station. All bowls now have to be stainless steel, bleached, washed and dried 2x per day. Between each cleaning station, disinfecting of hands needs to be done. It's ALOT of washing/bleach and my hands already look like that of a 80 yr old. (small price to pay btw).
EAch toy was removed. and replaced with new toys. All hanging ropes where bleached, washed and dried and re-taped with horse tape. All cages where taken apart one by one, scrubed with bleach, soap, water and dried, and re-assembled. The carpet is getting ripped up tommorrow.
Walls were scrubed with disinfectant soap, hot water with a scotch brite pad.
Duel fans installed on both windows in teh room. One duel, works as a exhaust, pulling stale air outside, the other duel on the other side of the room, gently blows fresh air in forced to the ceiling.
Nurtition:
I've elected to handfeed 2x per day for all birds, except the breeders. My own personal reason for this, is to make sure they are getting proper vitamins and nurishment trhough a good thick handfeeding formula made for ill birds to help boost immune system. EAch bird must be done seperately, mixed seperately, and all utensils soaked in bleach in between uses.
All birds have gained weight since i've started handfeeding 2x perday! Even my Timneh's.!
Weighing birds 2x perday. In the morning after the first bomb, then at night before I handfeed. Callie our breeder, is doing well with her weight, she has gained since moved upstairs and is holding...however JoJo looks like he's dropped, by the stresses of the move perhaps.
My floors in the house (hardwood) have to be washed with disinfectant after the morning routine, and after the evening routine in the event this busy time moves any poop onto the floor in other areas of the flooring on the main floor.
Changing clothes inbetween my night time couch cuddle time. Timneh's for hour, then go change, Then Bailey and Zack, then go change, Then simon.
Poops are to be cleaned frequently, constant changing papers, plastic and giving spot cleans throughout the day.
(Sometime in here, I get to eat a bit if im lucky)
MEDICALLY SPEAKING
We discussed the pros and cons of creating baselines with our birds. At this point, to bring in each bird for any kind of testing, could indeed cause stress , and stress could be responsible for bringing on PDD illness if one has been exposed and has the virus (if that is what it is). The con is obvious. We would know if one is showing internal signs, before physical signs are shown to me. Is it worth it? Is it worth risking the beginning or start of this disease, if left alone, might not start for months, years or mabe never.
So, at this point, I have decided to leave it for awhile and hope that I can build their immune systems, have them settle and get used to the new routine and strange way we are doing things now.
If one starts to show any sign of slowness, or illness, obviously this is the time we move and we move quick.
At this point, All birds seem "Okay". I watch them periodically during the day and make notes.
Postive Moment:
For each of us its different with the way we deal with crisis. I have to write, talk, and allow my emotions as I feel them come out Or i'll burst at the seams. Writing and getting involved serves a healthy outlet, that allows me to mourn, to help others, to support others, to get support for myself, and do what I so desperately want to see happen.....a cure, a treatment, a test, so that no other precious parrot has to suffer what Austin and so many others had to suffer.
Our case, Austin, My other parrots will be closely observed and again through discussions have a list of things to keep track of ( foods eaten, changes made, enviornmental factors and a million other things) for Dr. Taylor and Dr. Kover that always could offer something new to the PDD research Table.
