This is what i've learned about PDD so far. This is my perception. It may be right. It may be wrong. But this is what I am extracting from what I read along with my Experiences to date.Some argue that PDD is not an infectious disease, but most argue it is indeed an infectious disease. Most believe that PDD is a virus, and that is how the Avian Medical World is describing or labelling PDD. It is not certain how PDD spreads, If it does. It is uncertain how it enters a new host, but it is suggested it is through bodily fluids and not highly believed to be airborn, or contained in feather dust. No one knows why some Birds develop PDD and others do not. It has been written from research and case studies those birds experimentally exposed to an infected bird, most did not develop the disease. Yet, there are cases reported of entire flocks being wiped out by PDD over the coarse of time. And strangely enough, there are cases where only one bird dies of PDD, and the other birds did not develop the disease.
Our problem that adds to the fear of further infection, is that our birds are indoor birds, that have had restricted air flow (winter, windows closed etc), and have interacted physically for a long period of time. Not everyone creates a bird room in doors quite like I have where they can free travel.
This situation puts us at high risk *IF* PDD is an infectious disease. Because of the exchange of bodily fluids (Feeding, sharing bowls, perhaps even stepping on another poop).
Our hope, Our prayer, Our Wish is that other speculations in regards to developing PDD is true. And that is in other research case studies, where birds where exposed to the disease, either by Inoculation, or by natural exposure, most did not develop the disease which leads to the speculation 1) Conditions were not favourible within those birds to develop the disease. 2) Some birds may have a natural immunity. 3) Perhaps some birds become carriers of the disease only, never developing the disease themselves.
This is all we have to grasp and pray for some luck on our part. And also, Meloxicam. Some birds respond well to this treatment and are able to regain their previous health, eventually showing no signs of the disease. Do they stay that way? We dont' know yet, its too early in this new treatment to know or document. Do they shed the disease? We don't know this either. Do they still have PDD? Or is it out of their system ? Again, this is something we don't know based on the short time we've had treating birds with meloxicam.
Some believe (those who's birds have made a turn) that Meloxicam is a cure. Opinion obviously, but we sure are hoping...........and time will tell.
Meloxicam and Celebrex does not always work in all birds. As with Austin. It "appears" to be more successful wtih those birds who seem to only develop Digestive Symptoms of the disease. Again, speculation and not documented, and an opinion by different people.
There are so many variables with this disease.....and this is something else they do not know exactly why in some birds it affects the Digestive, Some birds it is only Neurological, and in others, it is both. Some birds develop quickly the disease and die within days or weeks. Others develop it and they slowly over months or a year approach death and worsening symptoms.
As with Austin, we cannot say 100 percen WHEN he got it, or how long he was suffering from symptoms. One would believe by the necropys and pathology results our bird suffered for a long time. He had lesions in every organ in his body, including the heart, the brain, all digestive organs. His Proventriculs was only mildly dialated. The Ventriculus was grossly involved. In others, the findings can be so totally different.
As you can tell or see, PDD is not one easy murderous disease to identify. It's been compared too HIV in adults. The medication HIV victims take, is not a cure, but it appears to lengthen the lives and allows HIV victims to live a quality of life. That is what Meloxicam does for some lucky Parrots who respond.
