You all were right that we should have left the house. I got up this morning and checked on Jordi and she was on the bottom of the cage with breathing difficulties. I woke up my husband, called my mom and we rushed the bird to her house. She was fine all day, not on the bottom of the cage once. And you guys will be happy to hear this, my mom vapes and her boyfriend smokes and vapes in the house. Now, her house is bigger than ours so there is more air, but if this had to do with vaping I highly doubt her recovery would have been so quick. The icing on the cake is I also went to the doctor and she doesn't think it has to do with vaping either. She did a blood test. I don't remember what all she is testing for, but I know toxicology is one thing and a urinalysis. She also ordered a chest x-ray. I'll let you all know how that turns out.
A little bad news - I spoke with a toxicologist from the state health department and he did a lot of research and sent me back a very detailed email about everything he found out about e-cigs from scientific studies. He found one study of pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs) and re-occurrence after using them again. Cougar had inflammation of the lungs. He also said reported emissions show chemicals which are closely related to diacetyl (look up popcorn lung). This guy spent a lot of his time trying to help me today, which I am very grateful for. He also researched the company that came to do the testing and is going to get back to me about the reliability of the lab doing the results (this is all on his own without me even asking).
We had Nicor out here to check for gas (even though I found out it isn't even toxic - it can kill you by blowing you up, but not otherwise) and the fire department came out and checked for carbon monoxide again. They did a very thorough test, even turning everything on and testing. It all came out fine.
I've spoken to so many people about this and one question that keeps coming up is if I've gotten any new furniture, gotten any remodeling done, new roof, etc., in which I answered no. I have no idea how this escaped me, but a year ago, we got a new entertainment center - oak stained in black. It was made to order and when it came and there was a strong smell. I remember the smell being of wood; my husband remembers smelling the stain. That is around the time my first cat seemed to start having problems (which is why we kept thinking of carpet shampoo and painting - it was around the same time). We think maybe the problem is creosote. That would explain the chronic chemical inhalation and it is toxic to pets. It also has phenols in it which are toxic. More recently, I bought a new kind of plug in - Air Wick. We have used plug ins in the past, but they were Glade and we hadn't used them in a long time. We believe maybe the Air Wick air fresheners is what caused the exacerbation of symptoms since the pets lung function was already so bad and they may contain phenols. This is all theory, yet again.
I stayed at my mom's all day except when the fireman and Nicor was out here and at the time I unplugged the air freshener. We have been running the air purifier all day. One other thing I noticed today (which the vet didn't notice) is Jordi also is having skin issues. That could also lend to the creosote theory as we have recently been letting her out more and she has been hanging out on the entertainment center. Another thing is the cats have always hated the smell of it and avoided it.
If anyone has any comments about this theory, please share. One other thing I forgot to mention is I've also had a couple of nosebleeds lately. You guys have been immensely helpful in your support and suggestions and I really appreciate it.
By the way, my husband and I decided to come home tonight (the bird stayed at my mom's). Now after being home, we're getting paranoid about burning eyes, dizziness, chest tightening. I am sure it is all the anxiety we've been through, but we have decided to play it safe and go to a hotel!
I really am worried for your safety as well.
