Post
by Ginene » Sat Jul 06, 2013 5:53 pm
So the Avian Vet called me today with the results of the lab work...Juliette's lesion tested positive for TB. She said Avian Pox would have been better because Myco-Bacterium Tuberculosis is possibly contagious to humans (compromised immune systems, pulmonary issues, the very young & the very old). Like Avian Pox, TB presents with lesions on the eyes, head, neck, etc. and is misdiagnosed unless labs are done on the lesions. The only way to confirm the diagnosis is through a biopsy. So what happens now??? On Tuesday, I am picking up collection tubes from the vet and will collect and deliver fresh bird droppings to her on Wednesday. The lab will test the droppings for the next 8 weeks, as this is how long it takes to grow M-TB. Big Joe, Lil Joe and myself are all going to be blood tested for TB. If the blood tests come back negative, we wait the 8 weeks for the bird droppings to be cultured. If the blood tests come back positive, the flock will be euthanized. Now, if the dropping test comes back negative we do nothing, but if it comes back positive the flock is to be euthanized. My neighbor, who is a pulmonary specialist sent me an article on this. It said that birds contract TB from a TB infected owner or from contaminated soil or water. It also said that the NYCDOH has seized infected birds that owners have refused to euthanize. I guess my vet will be (or may have already) reporting these findings to the NYC Department of Health. My neighbor is the one who said to get the Quantifuron (excuse the spelling)TB Gold Blood Test done, rather than the skin test. He said it is so sensitive that it will show not only TB infection, but also exposure to TB. So there it is...the next chapter in this horrific nightmare...I am at a complete loss for words...my brain is completely fried...and so all I can do is wait and pour myself another glass of wine...Btw, Lil Joe is freaking out and is afraid that he is going to die...Please pray for all of us, feathered and unfeathered.
agreed
