I Think I've Figured Out What's Going On With My Babies....

[paul-inAZ]

SocietyBird:
I have a suggestion. As this thread has evolved and information added it strikes me that there are not very many 'hits' on the topic. This infection may or not be uncommon but may be thought rare by lack of recognition and thus diagnosis. Brings to mind a professor's response to "I don't see anything there". He said "you don't recognize what is there. Look again".

How about if you start a new thread with a title something like "black spot disease in finches and canaries"? Something that will catch people's attention. Put in a brief summary and some pertinent links.
Increasing the awareness of the condition in this community would be akin to a public health program.
I will certainly look more carefully next time I see a dead baby now that I know that black spot disease exists and is an infectious disease.

[Sally]

SocietyBird I can change the title of this thread if you would like, just let me know.

SocietyBird:
I have a suggestion. As this thread has evolved and information added it strikes me that there are not very many 'hits' on the topic. This infection may or not be uncommon but may be thought rare by lack of recognition and thus diagnosis. Brings to mind a professor's response to "I don't see anything there". He said "you don't recognize what is there. Look again".

How about if you start a new thread with a title something like "black spot disease in finches and canaries"? Something that will catch people's attention. Put in a brief summary and some pertinent links.
Increasing the awareness of the condition in this community would be akin to a public health program.
I will certainly look more carefully next time I see a dead baby now that I know that black spot disease exists and is an infectious disease.

[Spreckles]

This is by far the worst thread I have read on the forum. I can't imagine the breeder would knowingly sell infected and contagious birds BUT if a person is going to breed and sell to the public having a high fatality rate ought to set off some alarm bells somewhere. This is terrible. How do you humanely euthanize birds?
Which is exactly what I would do with something this bad. Any avian vets weighing in on this?

[SocietyBird]

paul-inAZ Sally

Good idea, thank you. Sally, we could either change the name of this thread - or create a new one as Paul suggested without all the 'extra' dialogue and simply links and information. (We could do both..) I noticed there is a thread for infectious disease - perhaps we could put something there?

[SocietyBird]

Babs

You are such a beautiful person. ((Thank you))

[SocietyBird]

Spreckles

Just to clarify - no birds will be going out of the breeders house now and she didn't suspect anything that wasn't treatable with antibiotics. In a way, it's good that this happened because now at least everyone is aware and we all have more knowledge to arm ourselves with.

There are a number of ways to humanely cull birds. Using Co2 gas is one, the birds basically just go to sleep.

[SocietyBird]

Just to let everyone know.

After losing yet another bird yesterday morning, one of our fully fledged and almost completely weaned baby societies, we had no choice but to make the most difficult decision to euthanize our entire flock.

17 birds in all were buried yesterday after they went to sleep.

It was a heartbreaking and extremely difficult day.

I can only hope and pray that the losses of our beautiful and sweet little birds will have served a greater purpose in protecting all our birds in the future.

[debbie276]

Words can not express how sorry I am that you had to go through that.
Sending you all the best for the future

[Sally]

What an awful day for you, so heartbreaking. You made the choice you felt was the best for you, even though it was so difficult. You have my deepest sympathies.

[Babs _Owner]

SocietyBird

I know how hard this was for you and your husband, and how much thought and deliberation you put into this very hard decision.

You both are very brave and strong. When it spread to the societies as well........I understand at that point.....

Thank you for turning your very difficult situation into a very profound learning experience for many of us.

You have been a VERY good finch mommy. This could have happened to anyone.

We are all here for you if you want to reflect, recount a good memory, or just vent.

[paul-inAZ]

Society Bird:
I commend you for taking the difficult act of euthanizing your flock and helping to contain this disease.
One can only hope that the breeder does the same and doesn't become a Typhoid Mary.

You have mentioned Ontario. That is a large province. There must be other birds from that breeder in your area. Perhaps if you put your location into your profile it would be of help to alert some and be reassurance to others who might be elsewhere in Ontario.

[SocietyBird]

paul-inAZ

The birds were purchased while visiting.... I've spoken to the breeder extensively and she is contacting the few people who have acquired birds from her and has since closed her doors completely to any birds going in or out.

She is handling the situation with as much care and caution as possible. I can promise you and everyone here this. I've made absolutely sure this is the case.

So rest assured, anyone who has a bird or two from her flock within the last few years has been contacted. She has kept good records and has contact information for people who have acquired birds from her.

She loves her birds and is taking this very hard and extremely seriously. She is also contacting anyone SHE acquired birds from within the last few years to find out if they've had any problems...

I think that covers all bases. Thankfully, no pet stores are involved, nor has she ever shipped.

Thank you very much for your support and knowledge in all this.
Best.

[lovezebs]

SocietyBird

[Spreckles]

SocietyBird

This truly has been the most heart wrenching thread I have read here. I am so sorry for your loss. Our pets do become a part of our families and our homes. Having to euthanize them all is beyond me.

You have done very well with a very traumatic and difficult experience and all of us will never forget what avian black spot is. Nor will i and maybe others, ever again take lightly the concept of quarantine.

Canada is a very large country. If you are anywhere close to some of the other Canadian members I am sure they would help you get started again when you are ready.

You know, I didn't think of the emotional impact of my question when I asked it. Please forgive my insensitivity, sometimes I just want to know and don't think of what the person is going through. Thank you for answering me. I hope that your heart heals soon. I am sure your breeder is also reeling from this horrible news. These things happen, it is just different when it is up close and personal. It is similar to watching the news about starving children and we can just turn it off or look the other way; but when you meet starving people in real life you are profoundly and forever changed.

Like Babs said stick around and talk. I don't think you could find more shoulders to cry on than here, big hugs....really big hugs....pass the kleenex

[SocietyBird]

Spreckles

Goodness please don't apologize, you didn't know, and I didn't say. It's all ok.

We had some professional people we consulted with and were helped a great deal, both by them and by everyone's support here. The right thing was done and the situation is in other hands now - being investigated and looked after by an actual biologist.

Black spot is apparently much more common in canaries and I've visited some canary forums where it's been mentioned and discussed.

Anyways.... Thanks everyone for your kind words and heartfelt condolences. I'm going to be taking a break away from here for a bit to allow a little healing time.

I'll for sure update this thread if I hear anything further.