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Any new pet should be a welcome addition. To Wensure this, it is advisable to put the new
acquisition through a period of quarantine. In the case of
Cockatiel, it means keeping the bird in a separate cage, far away
from your other pets. The idea is to make certain that the new
pet is not a carrier of any communicable diseases or parasites.
The duration of the quarantine could be anywhere between 1 and
3 months. Ideally, a period of 60 days is enough. Quarantine is
not some form of punishment. Its the only way of making sure
that your other pets are not infected with contagious diseases or
parasites that the new addition may be carrying.
When it comes to diseases, birds are innately deceptive. They
make themselves look healthier than they really are to deceive
predators. They do this to even fool flock-mates, who may reject
it because of the attention a sick bird may draw to the flock
itself. Because of this behavior, often, a bird is very sick before
one realizes that something is wrong with it. Even experienced
Quarantining Cockatiels
avian veterinarians are fooled because of this behavior.
There are eleven different types of infectious viruses. Your new
pet could be a carrier of any one of these. The carrier bird may
not fall sick. But it has the ability to pass the disease. Most of
these diseases are airborne. And these disease could be
contagious and even deadly.
Cockatiel can be brought home from different sources. Some
Cockatiel might have belonged to single owners. They might have
been the sole pet for many years. Such birds might be healthy.
But, Cockatiel bought from pet stores are likely to have diseases.
Whatever be the source a quarantine will ensure that even if the
new addition is a carrier, it is cleansed of any contagion before it
is let to mingle with the other pets or taken into your living
room.
When birds live in a particular environment, they are exposed to
the germs there. Subsequently, they develop resistance to those
germs. When a bird is taken from this environment and placed in
a totally different environment, it experiences stress. Stress
Quarantining Cockatiels
suppresses its immune system. In such a scenario, when it is
suddenly exposed to new and different kinds of germs, it might
fall sick. Quarantine also helps new Cockatiel to adapt to new
environments.
First, select a room for quarantine. Keep the new bird away from
the other birds. Contact an avian veterinarian. Subject it to a
"well bird test." Blood test and many other tests may be required.
Your pet Cockatiel has come to spend the rest of its life with
you. Ensure its well-being.
Next, wash the cage in which the bird came home. Soak it in
bleaching water for at least 10 minutes. Bleach is corrosive. And
bleach spews fumes. So, keep your bird away from that room.
Disinfect the toys. Metals and plastic toys can be disinfected.
Wood and raw-hide toys cannot be disinfected. You will have to
discard them and get fresh toys.
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