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My conure appears sick today. Change in bowel color and sitting on perch sleepy and fluffed. The avian vet is closed until Monday and the emergency vet says they have no clue how to help a bird. Is there anything I can do until I can find a vet to get my bird to?
Optional Information: Type of Animal: Conure Gender: ? Age: 16? Name of Bird: Corkey
Hello, I'm Dr. Bob.I'm sorry to read of your problem with Corkey.Do you have any antibiotics there with you?
No. She has never been sick. I have contacted several local vets but none know about birds. The closest is an hr away, which we are ore then happy to travel too however the roads are closed due to ice and we cannot get there. The best I could possibly do would be to get something at a pet store of some sort like a petsmart or something.
Okay, thank you.Anything you might get at the pet store is not likely to be much real help.Getting the environmental temperature up to around 85 F, and giving aspirin in the drinking water (1 adult aspirin per 250 ml water) may be all you can do for him at home.Any antibiotic human or animal, may be of help in an emergency situation. If you have anything left over in your medicine cabinet, please let me know.
Since an antibiotic may help, the local emergency vet knows nothing abot birds but I could take her there if you could actually advise on the type of antibiotic that they should use.
Hello again.A broad spectrum antibiotic like enrofloxacin (Baytril) or tylocin (Tylan) would be a good choice, under the circumstances.A 40 - 75 watt light bulb under a cage cover should help maintain a 85 F environmental temperature for him. a thermometer to monitor the temperature would be very helpful.If I may be of further assistance to you, please let me know.Dr. Bob
Experience: 35 years in general practice, including avian.
I have one more question please. Does a vet need to prescribe this antibiotic or can I get it at a drug store or something. It is pouring freezing rain and snow out and the emergency vet who doesnt know anything about birds says I have to bring her in just to get the prescription and then I will have to administer andbring her home since they don't take care of birds. I fear just doing that could make her worse since it would just be dragging her in the cold wwithout any real medical assistance. Any ideas?
That is a real quandary!Antibiotics are generally prescription products and legally, the veterinarian is required to have performed an examination on Corkey to establish a doctor-patient relationship before prescribing any medication.It's hard to say what would be harder on Corkey, to do without the antibiotic or to be dragged out in the weather. not having examined Corkey, I can't tell you what would be best. I think if I were in your situation, I would raise the temperature, give her the aspirin in her water, and see how she's doing tomorrow. If she's not better or seems worse, a trip to the emergency clinic will be the most prudent step to take.If I can answer any further questions you may have,please let me know.Dr. Bob
Hi Again, You helped me with my sick bird last evening since we cannot get her to a avian vet until Monday when they are back in office.I followed your instructions of getting a heat light on my Conure and I put some asprin in her water. I know at least she got small amounts. Last night I was not able to get her to eat her real bird food but was able to get her to eat fresh yellow pepper and some banana.She is sleeping mainly on her perch but her feathers are still ruffled and she is sleepy. She does chirp ect, and is eating some banana and pepper today. She also went over to get a drink on her own.Her movements yesterday were a liquidy yellowish. Today she had that same color but there was some solid in it. I found at least 3 droppings to that effect.So I think it is fair to say she is no worse thankfully but she of course is still not at all herself. I see some of the above as decent signs but wondered if there is anything else I should or shouldn't do until I can get her to a vet tommorow.I also wondered if giving her pure organic yogurt would be of any assistance. I know they give birds yogurt treats and you mentioned an antibiotic yesterday, which of course we cant get as yet.Would yogurt help in any way? Or could it hurt?Are the signs she is still eating and has gotten some asprin good? And if so based on this info-could it be more like a cold type issue or something much more serious? (I realize of course you cannot diagnose but am wondering if I should be looking for anything else until I get her to a vet tommorow?)Thank you!
Hello again!I'm glad to read she made it through the night.The signs that she's still eating and getting some of the aspirin are both very good.The yogurt should not hurt her, will provide some nutrients, and may well help a digestive upset.I really can't hazard anything like an informed opinion on what may be wrong. Even when examining these little creatures in person, the cause of their illnesses is often quite difficult to determine. Keeping her warm, getting what nutrition you can into her, and encouraging her to take the aspirin in her water is the best you can do for her at home.If you should have further questions, please let me know.Best regards, Dr. Bob
Thank you for all your help. May I ask one more question? She seems to have no interest in her normal food (it is not a seed but a fortified food she has been eating for years). She is however taking fresh peppers/bananas and apple from my hand. I will continue that approach but wondered if I should also try a new food that has a strong scent. Its seems a catch 22 as I know a change in diet can cause issues to. Or is the fruit etc sufficient for now?
I would recommend going easy on the fruit, as this can sometimes contribute to loosening of the stool. Cooked oatmeal and cooked squash or sweet potato, may help firm the stool, and provide some nutrients as well. I can't recommend anything very strong smelling as these foods almost all have some tendency toward upsetting GI tracts. Bland foods are going to be better for her I believe.Dr. Bob
Thank you very very much! I will keep you posted!have a wonderful day!
You're most certainly welcome! I hope everything goes okay!Dr.Bob