Sunday, August 21, 2005
WESTNILE VIRUS UPDATE
Recent warning from Dr. Pat Redig, University of Minnesota.
Below is a report received today containing CDC information about West Nile activity as of August 12th. As expected it is starting to ramp up and become more prevalent and with recent rains in much of the midwest and west in the last couple of weeks, there is clearly more to come until such time as we get some good frosts. With the exception of Vermont, it would appear that the East and Northeast are inactive, but the midwest, south (Louisiana westward) and the West need to take heed. As folks are starting to work with their birds in the field now, the exposure potential increases.
Anyone flying goshawks, coopers, red-tails, merlins, and kestrels really should have them or get them vaccinated immediately using the Fort Dodge killed vaccine (1cc for birds at 700 grams - 20 oz or more, proportionately smaller amounts for smaller birds down to about 0.3 cc for kestrels) 2 doses, 3 weeks apart. Don't wait for an outbreak on your doorstep to vaccinate as it takes a couple of weeks for the immune system to develop antibodies. Previously vaccinated birds should receive a single booster shot.
Here's the report: Current for data reported to CDC through ArboNET as of 3 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time, August 9, 2005.
Twenty-two states have reported 187 cases (3 deaths) of human WNV illness in 2005 (Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Texas) 57% of the 171 cases for which such data were available occurred in males (median age 47 years (range: 4-85 years). Date of illness onset May 14 to August 4.
Fifty-four presumptive WNV blood donors (PVDs) have been reported to ArboNET during 2005: 25 from California, 18 from Texas, 5 from South Dakota, 3 from Arizona, and one each from Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Of the 54 PVDs, 11 persons subsequently had West Nile fever (median age: 50 years, range: 17-77 years) .
In addition, 1,162 dead corvids and 248 other dead birds with WNV infection have been reported from 32 states. WNV infections have been reported in horses from 21 states (Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, and Wyoming), one dog from Nebraska, and one squirrel from Arizona. WNV seroconversions have been reported in 126 sentinel chicken flocks from nine states (Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, North Dakota, New Mexico, and Utah). One seropositive sentinel horse was reported from Minnesota. A total of 2,493 WNV-positive mosquito pools have been reported from 27 states (Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia).
Ragards,
Darryl A. Perkins
NAFA President
14 Union StreetBlackstone, MA 01504-1111
Recent warning from Dr. Pat Redig, University of Minnesota.
Below is a report received today containing CDC information about West Nile activity as of August 12th. As expected it is starting to ramp up and become more prevalent and with recent rains in much of the midwest and west in the last couple of weeks, there is clearly more to come until such time as we get some good frosts. With the exception of Vermont, it would appear that the East and Northeast are inactive, but the midwest, south (Louisiana westward) and the West need to take heed. As folks are starting to work with their birds in the field now, the exposure potential increases.
Anyone flying goshawks, coopers, red-tails, merlins, and kestrels really should have them or get them vaccinated immediately using the Fort Dodge killed vaccine (1cc for birds at 700 grams - 20 oz or more, proportionately smaller amounts for smaller birds down to about 0.3 cc for kestrels) 2 doses, 3 weeks apart. Don't wait for an outbreak on your doorstep to vaccinate as it takes a couple of weeks for the immune system to develop antibodies. Previously vaccinated birds should receive a single booster shot.
Here's the report: Current for data reported to CDC through ArboNET as of 3 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time, August 9, 2005.
Twenty-two states have reported 187 cases (3 deaths) of human WNV illness in 2005 (Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Texas) 57% of the 171 cases for which such data were available occurred in males (median age 47 years (range: 4-85 years). Date of illness onset May 14 to August 4.
Fifty-four presumptive WNV blood donors (PVDs) have been reported to ArboNET during 2005: 25 from California, 18 from Texas, 5 from South Dakota, 3 from Arizona, and one each from Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Of the 54 PVDs, 11 persons subsequently had West Nile fever (median age: 50 years, range: 17-77 years) .
In addition, 1,162 dead corvids and 248 other dead birds with WNV infection have been reported from 32 states. WNV infections have been reported in horses from 21 states (Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, and Wyoming), one dog from Nebraska, and one squirrel from Arizona. WNV seroconversions have been reported in 126 sentinel chicken flocks from nine states (Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, North Dakota, New Mexico, and Utah). One seropositive sentinel horse was reported from Minnesota. A total of 2,493 WNV-positive mosquito pools have been reported from 27 states (Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia).
Ragards,
Darryl A. Perkins
NAFA President
14 Union StreetBlackstone, MA 01504-1111
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Parrot Behavioral Problems? Dr Vaughn recommends Liz Wilson.
If you are having behavioral problems with your parrot(s) such as excessive screaming, biting, or plucking, or you just want to know why your parrot acts so peculiarly - help is on the way!
Liz Wilson, internationally recognized expert parrot behavior consultant, is scheduled to be in Lexington, Kentucky, the second weekend of September. Many of you already know Liz from her monthly columns in Bird Talk. This is a rare opportunity for you to have a private consultation with her in person.
Liz is a certified veterinary technician who has been living and working with parrots for thirty-five years, with twenty years of experience specializing in avian and exotic animal nursing. Her current feathered companion is a 50+ year-old female blue and gold macaw named Sam, who has shared Liz's life for 30 years.
With prior training in elementary education and psychology, Liz began working with behavior in pet parrots 15 years ago. In the last several years, she has gained recognition internationally as a parrot behavior consultant, thanks to her lectures, seminars, freelance writing, and consultations with parrot owners. An experienced and entertaining speaker, she has done extensive lecturing with avian veterinary conferences, avicultural conferences, companion parrot conferences, and bird clubs both here and in Europe.
In addition to the "Parrot Psychology" column in Bird Talk, she has written or co-authored eight veterinary textbook chapters. In addition to her first book of article reprints, the Handbook of Avian Articles, <http://www3.upatsix.com/liz/book.html> she has just completed Volume II. Liz will have both books with her when she comes to Lexington.
Liz provides in-home behavior consultations in the Philadelphia area where she lives and in areas where she travels, and she also provides phone consultations with parrot owners all over the world. Until recently, when writing, lecturing, and consultations began taking too much of her time, she was an adjunct faculty member in the veterinary technician department in a local college, and she also worked extensively with wildlife rehabilitation for seven years.
You may schedule a private one-hour consultation with Liz by contacting Pennyroyal Small & Exotic Hospital at 859-277-4315 or docbzaff@aol.com. One hour consultations are $80 including a $40 non-refundable deposit, due at the time of reservation.
Reserve your time with Liz now; these one-hour appointments will be spoken for quickly.
If you are interest in doing a full consultation in-home with Liz (4 hours plus 4 months of unlimited follow-ups), please contact her directly at 215-946-5964 or at Lwilsoncvt@att.net.
If you are having behavioral problems with your parrot(s) such as excessive screaming, biting, or plucking, or you just want to know why your parrot acts so peculiarly - help is on the way!
Liz Wilson, internationally recognized expert parrot behavior consultant, is scheduled to be in Lexington, Kentucky, the second weekend of September. Many of you already know Liz from her monthly columns in Bird Talk. This is a rare opportunity for you to have a private consultation with her in person.
Liz is a certified veterinary technician who has been living and working with parrots for thirty-five years, with twenty years of experience specializing in avian and exotic animal nursing. Her current feathered companion is a 50+ year-old female blue and gold macaw named Sam, who has shared Liz's life for 30 years.
With prior training in elementary education and psychology, Liz began working with behavior in pet parrots 15 years ago. In the last several years, she has gained recognition internationally as a parrot behavior consultant, thanks to her lectures, seminars, freelance writing, and consultations with parrot owners. An experienced and entertaining speaker, she has done extensive lecturing with avian veterinary conferences, avicultural conferences, companion parrot conferences, and bird clubs both here and in Europe.
In addition to the "Parrot Psychology" column in Bird Talk, she has written or co-authored eight veterinary textbook chapters. In addition to her first book of article reprints, the Handbook of Avian Articles, <http://www3.upatsix.com/liz/book.html> she has just completed Volume II. Liz will have both books with her when she comes to Lexington.
Liz provides in-home behavior consultations in the Philadelphia area where she lives and in areas where she travels, and she also provides phone consultations with parrot owners all over the world. Until recently, when writing, lecturing, and consultations began taking too much of her time, she was an adjunct faculty member in the veterinary technician department in a local college, and she also worked extensively with wildlife rehabilitation for seven years.
You may schedule a private one-hour consultation with Liz by contacting Pennyroyal Small & Exotic Hospital at 859-277-4315 or docbzaff@aol.com. One hour consultations are $80 including a $40 non-refundable deposit, due at the time of reservation.
Reserve your time with Liz now; these one-hour appointments will be spoken for quickly.
If you are interest in doing a full consultation in-home with Liz (4 hours plus 4 months of unlimited follow-ups), please contact her directly at 215-946-5964 or at Lwilsoncvt@att.net.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Grandchildren
For many years I have been offering professional services through our friends at Most Valuable Pets in Lexington on alternating Wednesdays. However, I have made an important decision for myself and my family to spend more time with my precious Grandchildren. So, I will no longer
have regular appoints at the area’s leading pet needs store.This was a difficult decision, but it’s the right one for my family. As a benefit to my clients, I will continue my regular schedule at the Louisville clinic where I can provide complete services through our staffed and fully capable office, as well as through my mobile private client services by appointment.
Please call our office at 502-245-7863 for all your pet care needs! I look forward to being of service,
Sam Vaughn,
Proud Grand Dad
Friday, August 05, 2005
An old but a new Rant and a Rave!
A cockatiel the nice little lady had for fourteen years flew away. She was in tears; she had searched for days, put ads in the paper and lay awake for nights. Finally she called and asked if I had any magic to bring her beloved friend back to her. Of course I did not. Please trim your bird’s wings. Do not assume that trimmed wings stop flight. They do NOT. Trimmed wings limit flight. A good gust of wind or a hot air thermal off of a paved driveway or parking lot and your bird is aloft. These poor guys either starve from lack of food (they do not know how to eat our there) or more commonly they are easy lunch for a hawk, falcon or other predator. And folks argue with me that it is MEAN to trim your birds’ wings. Ask the bird who got eaten by the hawk how cruel THAT is!
This week a friend of mine, my wife and I rescued a bird from a bad situation. Seems the bird had been relegated to the garage for the past 2-3 years. His wing webs (the skin from wrist to shoulder) had atrophied so badly that he cannot extend his wings. To make it worse he is an at risk species, not endangered, but high risk. At any rate none of God’s critters should be “cared for” in such a matter. Overall we have invested over $1,100 in this bird’s purchase and medical care, just to get him out of this situation. Some days I love my job and sometimes I hate my job, why hate? Hate the fact that I have to see the carnage that I see, love? Love it because overall I am blessed by an extraordinarily caring clientele and staff.
Rescued another parrot this week as well, did not have to buy this one, just take over his care and the medical responsibilities. It does not look good for this one, and not out of fault of his owner, a disease for which there is no treatment nor cure. Maybe someday, if you are interested in donating funds to research that really counts please donate to Dr. Branson Ritchie’s research program at the University of Georgia. Phone 706-542-6316.
POSITIVE note: Heavy Metal Toxicity: stop this all too common problem with a new cage from http://www.kingscages.com/, they also sell stainless steel toys and a new potion for Feather Plucker’s called PluckNoMore. It is a concoction of herbs and holistic medicinals. I have used it on my own bird, Stevie, my plucking Umbrella Cockatoo, she has tail feathers for the first time in 3 years!! We have done complete CBC’s and blood chemistry analysis of Stevie and one African Grey Parrot, and thus far no abnormalities whatsoever. Seems there is are a group of folk on the internet that are saying this product kills birds, well tell Stevie, she forgot to read that bird group on the internet.
Still tryin, still cryin.
Thinking about putting a macaw watching trip to the Amazon River, maybe Brazil maybe Peru?
Thinking about 7-10 days, anybody interested?
Sammy
A cockatiel the nice little lady had for fourteen years flew away. She was in tears; she had searched for days, put ads in the paper and lay awake for nights. Finally she called and asked if I had any magic to bring her beloved friend back to her. Of course I did not. Please trim your bird’s wings. Do not assume that trimmed wings stop flight. They do NOT. Trimmed wings limit flight. A good gust of wind or a hot air thermal off of a paved driveway or parking lot and your bird is aloft. These poor guys either starve from lack of food (they do not know how to eat our there) or more commonly they are easy lunch for a hawk, falcon or other predator. And folks argue with me that it is MEAN to trim your birds’ wings. Ask the bird who got eaten by the hawk how cruel THAT is!
This week a friend of mine, my wife and I rescued a bird from a bad situation. Seems the bird had been relegated to the garage for the past 2-3 years. His wing webs (the skin from wrist to shoulder) had atrophied so badly that he cannot extend his wings. To make it worse he is an at risk species, not endangered, but high risk. At any rate none of God’s critters should be “cared for” in such a matter. Overall we have invested over $1,100 in this bird’s purchase and medical care, just to get him out of this situation. Some days I love my job and sometimes I hate my job, why hate? Hate the fact that I have to see the carnage that I see, love? Love it because overall I am blessed by an extraordinarily caring clientele and staff.
Rescued another parrot this week as well, did not have to buy this one, just take over his care and the medical responsibilities. It does not look good for this one, and not out of fault of his owner, a disease for which there is no treatment nor cure. Maybe someday, if you are interested in donating funds to research that really counts please donate to Dr. Branson Ritchie’s research program at the University of Georgia. Phone 706-542-6316.
POSITIVE note: Heavy Metal Toxicity: stop this all too common problem with a new cage from http://www.kingscages.com/, they also sell stainless steel toys and a new potion for Feather Plucker’s called PluckNoMore. It is a concoction of herbs and holistic medicinals. I have used it on my own bird, Stevie, my plucking Umbrella Cockatoo, she has tail feathers for the first time in 3 years!! We have done complete CBC’s and blood chemistry analysis of Stevie and one African Grey Parrot, and thus far no abnormalities whatsoever. Seems there is are a group of folk on the internet that are saying this product kills birds, well tell Stevie, she forgot to read that bird group on the internet.
Still tryin, still cryin.
Thinking about putting a macaw watching trip to the Amazon River, maybe Brazil maybe Peru?
Thinking about 7-10 days, anybody interested?
Sammy
