Sick Bourke

[CALVINS MOM]

Originally Posted by Monica

As of lately, the bourke is doing better still. Her symptoms are from normal breathing and a slight tail bob, to a bit puffed up, opening of the mouth a bit, and entire body seems to be heaving a bit (usually when stressed), more-so if it includes a recent dosage of doxy.

Monica -I would strongly recommend getting your little one on probiotics to combat the yeast that can grow due to the antibiotics you are administering. Maybe the vet needs to try a different antibiotic - they usually kick in within 3-4 days.

[Monica]

Started administering Baytril and Doxycycline. Baytril lasted a week (she was breathing it in via nebulizer). Still continuing with Doxy and it has been 18 days since treatment started. I still have 27 days left to continually administer the doxycycline. The affects started immediately, but I knew it probably wouldn't fix the bourke over-night. It's been a slow but gradual process (with an occasional step or two back) in getting back into full health.

I don't know if I'll be able to get a hold of my vet, but I can certainly ask another. I know that yogurt wont be accepted unless force-fed, so I'll look into it.

[CALVINS MOM]

I believe Doxycycline is somewhat invasive. Well, any antibiotic is. You can get the Probiotics from Veta Farm but it may take some time to get to you. Do you have a bird store in the area where you can purchase it? I am concerned as to why you have to do doxy for 27 more days. What was the diagnosis? I assume you know what I am thinking....

[Monica]

No prognosis, cept that she was having trouble breathing and that a definite wheezing could be heard via stethoscope. Baytril and Doxy are said to cure most of the common respiratory problems in birds.

This saturday I'll have a chance to look at the local bird store for some stuff, and if I can't find anything there, I can always ask my vet! Of course, I do have to visit him anyway since I have to take back his nebulizer!

[Monica]

I haven't had a chance to get some probiotics yet (plans changed... to be expected of course...), and have been having some difficulties with the bourke. Since two Saturdays ago she was down to 29 grams, so I skipped the meds that day. She was back up some on Sunday so gave her one dose, however she lost weight again after that. I stopped giving the meds for a few days (bad idea, I know... but I couldn't continue and let her loose even more weight). Because of this however, her breathing problems started to get worse again, and seemed to be going back down hill (of course).

After a few days (bout 4) I started back on the meds and noticed a good improvement... Was giving them twice a day but realized that it would cause her to loose weight again, so instead of giving .07 cc's twice a day, I dropped it down to once a day. I have found though that it seems best to give the meds in the evening instead of in the morning. So far, this seems to be working.


As for anything, it took me a while to get a hold of my vet... He says that beyond some extensive testing there may not be anything else that can be done.

[Joel]

Wow, 29 grams is sure skinny - ya sure that scale is correct?
Question: Did your A.V. feel that injectible Baytril is useless if mixed with formula and crop fed along with some flavored Nystatin mixed in - instead of the nebulizer? Could you ask if ya haven't yet. Thanks.

What is she eating these days? Are ya crop feeding formula? If not, maybe you or someone should....Hugs.....Best of luck Monica.

Originally Posted by Monica

I haven't had a chance to get some probiotics yet (plans changed... to be expected of course...), and have been having some difficulties with the bourke. Since two Saturdays ago she was down to 29 grams, so I skipped the meds that day. She was back up some on Sunday so gave her one dose, however she lost weight again after that. I stopped giving the meds for a few days (bad idea, I know... but I couldn't continue and let her loose even more weight). Because of this however, her breathing problems started to get worse again, and seemed to be going back down hill (of course).

After a few days (bout 4) I started back on the meds and noticed a good improvement... Was giving them twice a day but realized that it would cause her to loose weight again, so instead of giving .07 cc's twice a day, I dropped it down to once a day. I have found though that it seems best to give the meds in the evening instead of in the morning. So far, this seems to be working.


As for anything, it took me a while to get a hold of my vet... He says that beyond some extensive testing there may not be anything else that can be done.

[Monica]

Her weights back up to 33-34 grams now, which is "okay", but it wouldn't hurt her to gain several more either. Yes, 29 grams is correct... which is what she weighed on Saturday... I could also feel it too, as her keelbone was too thin, which is why I stopped the meds for a few days.

I didn't think about asking about the Baytril and Nystatin, guess I've had quite a bit going on lately! Crop feeding might be possible if I had the supplies and my vet would teach me how to... (that is, if he thought it might help) Least bit, I'll give him a call when I get a chance to tomorrow. I don't particularly want to continue using the nebulizer, and of course I only used it for a good 7-8 days and stopped after that (ran out of Baytril).


Food is mainly seeds, since being put into the smaller cage I've noticed they eat less fresh food... Of course with the bourkes being in the larger cage I'd have to worry about both as the other one would start laying eggs and loosing weight.

[Monica]

Haven't gotten a hold of the vet yet, so still waiting on that....

As for using the Doxy in the evening, this seems to be working just fine. Generally speaking, the bourke is looking quite normal, maybe a bit fluffed but otherwise fine. If she is stressed in any bit, there is some heavy breathing and opening and closing of the beak (does not appear like panting, but still). It has been a few days past a month since the meds were started, and given another week or two (since I'm giving half the recommended dose of Doxy now) I guess we'll see how well she fairs!

And in the meantime, getting a hold of my vet would help too...

[Monica]

Things been a bit hectic here, especially with a new house in the picture (sister's and her hubby's), so I haven't had the chance to do much. I'm still giving the Doxy to the bourke in the evening, and a few nights ago she did take it just fine! Although not so for the last couple of nights... During the day she appears to be breathing normal and acting just fine (which inludes no poofyness!), although I know that I still need to continue the meds for a longer period of time (depending on how long it takes to recover fully from this issue) to ensure she is 100% back to good health. She's been doing so well lately that there have been a couple first glances that I couldn't tell her apart from her sister!

[CALVINS MOM]

did you ever get in touch with your vet? I would not continue the meds longer than what was prescribed. They are killing her liver as it is. Get those probiotics since I can almost guarantee she will have a raging yeast infection after all these antibiotics. Glad she is doing better for you!