Dog and Birds

[StarFox]

Ok...I kinda have a stupid question. :oops: What kind of Diseases, parasites or sicknesses can a dog get from a dead bird, if any? Is there anything specific to birds that dogs can get?

The reason I'm asking this is One..I tried to look up deseases of birds and all I found were ones that were only transfered to other birds not dogs.

And Two- today I found the skeleton and wings (feathers still on) of a peigon (at least that's what I think it was) on our lawn. It seems that the local cats have been draging or eating birds and god knows what else on our lawn. Zebra got ahold of a peice of bone the other day while playing on the lawn. He ate half before I could get it out of his mouth. These damn cats are realy getting on my nerves but the "owners" are really getting to me more than anything. :x There is a horde of cats across the street that apparently belong to no one and the neighbors behind us who happen to be relitives have 3 cats and let them out all the time. :evil: When I get 70 dollars I'm going to the humane society and getting one of thoes humane traps so I can catch these cats and take them to the shelter.

[imported_Cassie]

If your dog ate the bird then there is a protozoan disease which could be transmitted if the birds are infected this is called Toxoplasmosis...alot of animals especially cats usually build up an immune antibody level to deal with this disease once they have had it.
West Nile encephalitis disease....now as far as I am aware there have been no dogs infected by this virus....and the way to become infected is by the bite of a mosquito infected with West Nile virus.

Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds, which may circulate the virus in their blood for a few days. Infected mosquitoes can then transmit West Nile virus to humans and animals while biting to take blood. The virus is located in the mosquito's salivary glands. During blood feeding, the virus may be injected into the animal or human, where it may multiply, possibly causing illness.


As far as contracting West Nile virus directly from birds or infected animals....There is no evidence that a person/dog can get the virus from handling live or dead infected birds or animals. However, persons should avoid bare-handed contact when handling any dead animals. If birds or other potentially infected animals must be handled, a protective barrier (e.g., gloves, inverted plastic bags) should be used.

And starfox, my dogs have all gotten around dead animals in my yard that the cats have killed. I think the worst case scenirio I have come across is finding the dead animals in my bed at night! :o yes, one of my Newf's Dilon just loves to drag in the dead animals and play with them in my bed! his mouth is so big the animal can be hidden in his big mouth with out my being able to detect it :lol: he has drug in rabbits, mice, rats, birds but only bigger birds like crows and pigeons and he hides them in my bed....I have to be very careful with him! :lol: my cats are mainly indoor cats..but, there are many neighborhood cats which seem to think my yard is a great place to drop their kills! Birds especially pigeons can be very dirty.

I am sure that some one else on the board may know of different diseases that birds can harbour and transmit...my mind is blank right now. :oops:

[mouseatthebusstop]

the risk of getting a tiny bone stuck in the dogs throat, worms I think

[courtnek]

I would think worms, and bones are your biggest threat. My lab mix kills things in the yard all the time, birds, squirrels, mice and has never gotten sick, however, I usually get them before she consumes them. If you're worried ask the vet. They will ahve a better answer.