bobbyd6363
Just Hatched
Joined: January 2013
Posts: 5
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Post by bobbyd6363 on Jan 14, 2013 12:29:10 GMT -7
My African Grey (Agnes) have been together for 13 years. Apperently over the years I have developed a hypersensitivity to her dust. I have had to endure several years of inhaled corticosteroids and recently a lung biopsy that showed I was being affected by my Grey's dander.
The doctor tells me I have to get rid of my bird or I will die! I don't know what to do and there is no way I can get rid of my girl!
I am desperate for some help and advice!!
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Post by welovedj on Jan 14, 2013 13:05:52 GMT -7
Do you use an air purifier?
Do you shower her daily to control some of the dust?
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bobbyd6363
Just Hatched
Joined: January 2013
Posts: 5
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Post by bobbyd6363 on Jan 14, 2013 13:22:24 GMT -7
weloveddj - I do have several air cleaners in the house but not an air purifier. I have been looking at several air purifiers and cant seem to figure out which one would work for my situation. If you have any recommendations i would love to hear them!
I don't bathe her daily but I do bathe her weekly.
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Post by Adele on Jan 14, 2013 20:06:10 GMT -7
I bought a honeywell air purifier. I liked it so much that I bought a second one as well. It has dramatically reduced the dust/dander in my house. I vacuum the prefilter out about once every two weeks. Here is a link where I discuss the air purifier: manziworld.blogspot.com/2012/09/air-filter.htmlI leave them on med or high all day long. They aren't very quiet, but that doesn't bother me. It depends on your house size, but I would buy quite a few of these to be sure that they are taking care of the dust. |
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bobbyd6363
Just Hatched
Joined: January 2013
Posts: 5
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Post by bobbyd6363 on Jan 15, 2013 8:14:56 GMT -7
Adele - my house is only 900 sq ft so not too large. Agnes' cage is in the living room where I have an Oreck air cleaner. Yesterday I bought a commercial grade air purifier which supposedly will cover 2300 sq ft and turn the air volume over four times in an hour.
I am praying the air purifier works! I cannot bear the thought of giving up my girlie! I have had her since she was 4 weeks old and she just turned 13 in December.
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Post by Adele on Jan 15, 2013 20:46:23 GMT -7
Does the air purifier have a hepa filter? That is important.
It sounds like that should be plenty to help with the dust. I also vacuum once per day to get rid of the feathers that have built up in corners of the room.
Also, do you have carpet? I noticed that I have way more dust with carpet. When I had hard floors, I could control my dust much more easily as I could wipe down the floors frequently.
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Post by Haz on Jan 16, 2013 13:39:59 GMT -7
We ripped out the carpets a couple of years ago. Now with hardwood floors throughout the house and a hepa filter on the furnace, I find that we have very little dust in the house. We also have an air filter in our bedroom as my husband has allergies. His breathing is not affected by Chyloe.
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bobbyd6363
Just Hatched
Joined: January 2013
Posts: 5
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Post by bobbyd6363 on Jan 17, 2013 14:28:18 GMT -7
Adele - I bought an Airpura UV600 Air Purifier and am anxiously awaiting its arrival!
The UV600 is designed to purify 1650 sq. ft. - since my house is only 900sq ft and Agnes is mainly in the living room which is about 300sq ft, I think I have enough coverage with this one. It cost $899 but it is supposed to turn the air over in 550 sq. ft. about 6X an hour. It has three levels of filtration pre-filter, carbon filter, HEPA filter and a 20 watt UV germicidal lamp.
I am sorry if that sounded like a sales pitch!
I know all that may be overkill but I would rather spend the money and way overdo it before I would ever consider losing my girl!!!!!!
We have hardwood throughout the house and a small area rug in the living near Agnes' cage.
I use a Dyson vacuum and it seems to get everything and I never notice dust flying from it when I clean the floors. Also I use a swifter dry pad type sweeper several times a day.
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Post by Haz on Jan 17, 2013 19:04:30 GMT -7
It might be an idea to have your wife do most of the cleaning so you can avoid the dust. My husband has dust allergies so I do most of the cleaning.
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Chuck
Weaned Todd
Joined: January 2013
Posts: 26
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Post by Chuck on Jan 22, 2013 21:11:53 GMT -7
I've had my Grey for a year. I use an air-purifier, a humidifier, and I give him a bath each day. I have never encountered any dust. I can wear a black shirt and find only one or two little white specks. I was astounded after hearing people on forums say that the dander would cover the furniture or that when the bird puffs up, dander floats through the air. My bird doesn't give off any visible dander. I wonder if it's the daily baths and the humidifier. I empathize; I love my bird so much, it'd be terrible to have to give him up. I wonder if some birds give off more dander than others, or if the pretty thorough daily bath just washes it all away. And he doesn't "love" the bath, but he tolerates it each day for as long as I want. I wish you luck. I hope before you take drastic action that you begin giving long (very warm) daily showers and get a really good humidifer to keep the air very humid for your bird. I think it will make a big difference.
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