Has anyone's bird had avian tuberculosis and survived?

Question

I adopted an african grey a couple of years ago, and has lost weight over a long period of time, before I even had him. The vet diagnosed with TB. Said it is fatal, the constant regime of anitbiotics most likely won't work and would be so traumatic for him. He is not a bird who likes to be handled.

Answer 1

I have heard of this fretful illness birds get they can also pass the illness on to us humans if he/she bites you i suggest you add the medicine into his/her drinking water if you catch the illness early the bird has a 50/50 per cent of a good recovery. if he do not recover i feel sad for your loss. it seems your bird was not captive bred and it was a wild one and caught the illness from other birds in the wild, really you should of got the vet to check it out as soon as you got the bird then they could of quarantined it, as captive bred birds do  not get this problem illness.

Answer 2

I'm assuming your vet has diagnosed some strain of mycobacteria.  If so, you have my deepest sympathies.  

I understand that treatment of mycobacteriosis is controversial and that humane euthanasia is usually recommended.  While I've read that there has been some success with some drug combinations, treatment (which may well include chemotherapy) lasts many months to over a year.  Any bird exposed to mycobacteria is usually quarantined for 2 years and periodically tested for the disease.

I understand there is fairly minimal zoonotic (birds infecting humans) potential in adults with healthy immune systems but there may be risk of infection for those people who are immunocompromised and for children.

I wish you and your bird the best.  Please ask your vet to explain to you what strain he has diagnosed and what your other options may be.  It could be that euthanasia will be the kindest course of action.

Unfortunately I am acquainted with someone who has been through this with a rescued bird.  Medications and constant crop feeding did little to alleviate what ultimately became suffering.  The bird was euthanized.

Colette

ParrotletsPlus

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