Maggie,
I am so freaked out. I haven't yet seen the vet, but I think Luna has Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease. Talked to the vet and told him her symptoms, and he said it was his primary concern and that I should bring her in for testing and that it can be slowed down with antiviral drugs. I know this disease is eventually fatal and usually involves a series of opportunistic infections in older birds before death. Luna is 8 years old.
Well, she has the separation of the ramphotheca of the beak, overgrowth on one side, and a mealy appearance on the base of the beak on one side. Her down feathers under the wing have looked natty ever since I got her but I didn't know it was a symptom. She's got red feathers coming in on her legs, but most importantly and what clued me in was that her new molt feathers came in really bizarre with extra long sheaths that wouldn't slide off. The new "feathers" have thick, stubby shafts and there are no barbs coming off a shaft. AND these odd things are falling out.
I am so confused so I am asking for help from everyone I have contact with in the Grey/Parrot community. My delimma is why bring her in if it's untreatable? I mean, Luna is a bird that is still barely socialized and is really easily freaked out. Going to the avian vet nearest me requires a one hour drive both ways, and they will be drawing blood. If she's already ill, I'm afraid of exposing her to other diseases, or exacerbating her illness with the stress. Should I just keep her stress as low as possible and continue feeding a good diet (Harrison's, fruit, grains, veggies that she doesn't eat)?
I DO have a contact for a vet who specializes in testing in Georgia, thanks to some other Parrot People. Do you know anything about this disease, or most of all, do you know anyone who has had to support an older bird with this chronic disease? I understand that most Greys die within weeks of this disease, but Luna is showing the symptoms of chronic disease.
I feel like this is an ethical delimma. Is it worth stressing her and giving her drugs that may have nasty side effects just to prolong her life a year or so? Because since she is so easily stressed, it could take weeks to recover from each vet visit. HELP. Anything you can tell me or anyone you can connect me with would be so appreciated.
Alison and Luna