Sick Bourke

[Monica]

The meds were originally prescribed for 45 days, then I cut the amount of meds in half, so therefore it would be another week or so. I don't plan on giving the meds for more than that if need be. During the day she might be a little puffed out, maybe even a little hard breathing but otherwise appears normal. If she is forced to fly around however, she does start to breathe heavily with the opening and closing of the beak.

I hope to get some probiotics this week as I have to pick up a bit more meds for the bourke. I asked my vet about the Nystatine/Baytril mix, and he said that at this point, it's probably not worth trying, especially since we've already done Baytril via the nebulizer. So together, the meds and probiotics should be about $34, although at this point, due to some unfortunate circumstances (more or less so, $20 was stolen, then $30 just "disappeared"-I have this feeling that "something" is out to get me... ), I can only afford to get the meds, unless someone is willing to let me borrow some extra cash (with being anyone at this household, it's somewhat unlikely), but I'm sure that maybe we can work something out in the end.

Stable weight has been 33 grams, with averaging weight in the evenings at 34 grams, max weight 35 grams.

[carriesb]

I hope everything works out.

[Monica]

Got the probiotics. They are Bene-bac Pet Gel 15g, for $18.05. Got some more Doxy which was originally $19 (compared to the $15 I got before). I mentioned this to the receptionist, and so he gave me the Doxy for $15 plus tax, although I now realise that he gave an aditional discount (from the looks of it), so the total was $33.34

Anyway, the label on the Bene-Bac said to follow directions on label of the tube of the Bene-bac. Pealed off label to view the correct one underneath, and it says to give 1/2 gram once per week, for first 3 months then every other week. (written under Growth & Maintenance) It also says to place gel in mouth or in food. Mouth would be easiest, but this tube is so huge I'm not sure if it'll fit within the bourkes mouth! Plus-wich, I need to figure out how to exactly use the tube of Bene-Bac!

Just looking for some suggestions or??? Greatly appreciated!

[Monica]

Okay, I've done some configuration, and have concluded that 1/2 a gram is about .523 cc/ml. The meds (Doxy) I give is .07cc once a day, vs recommended twice a day, or .14cc once a day.

I plan on stopping the meds of Doxy in a few days to a week, but now I am baffled about the Bene-Bac. It is far too thick to give to her as is, I can't exactly put it in her food either and KNOW she's eating it. I would assume that the next best thing to do is to put it in some handfeeding formula, which would require a crop syringe/needle, however I would need to be taught how to crop feed in order to do this (which, my vet is willing to teach, if I have the supplies, however getting into town is not necessarily easy).


Here are all the instructions on the Bene-Bac's label

Hand Feeding Birds: Administer 1/2 gram on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 and then once per week until weaned. Mix with formula after heating or dose into feeding syringe or mouth.

Growth & Maintenance: Administer 1/2 gram once per week for the first 3 months, then every other week. Use 1/2 gram for small species and 1 gram for large species.

Changing Conditions: Administer 1 day before and 1 day after periods of environmental or nutritional changes. Use levels recommended above.

Growing and Maintenance Reptiles: Administer 1/2 gram to 1 gram 12 to 24 hours before feeding and 2 to 12 hours after feeding. Place gel on food or in mouth.



Now the bourke is about 33 grams in weight currently, although I can feel that she's getting a bit skinny so the Doxy is going to have to stop shortly anyway. It's bad enough as the Doxy appears to be too thick for the bourke. Then there's the Bene-Bac which is even thicker, has a terrible taste (bourke hates it worse than the Doxy!), and I can't even properly give her the Bene-Bac unless I put it into something else. Other than getting hands on directions to crop feed her, anyone else have any suggestions on how I can give this to her? Plus-which, I know .52 some CC's is far too much to give to her in one go about.

[Monica]

Found KV Vet Supply, which sells Bene-Bac. It recommends giving 1 gram per 10 pounds of weight (and to repeat every 3 days), or just over .007 cc's per 33 grams, which if diluted (with same amount of water) would be approximately .0145 cc's.

Best possible way to administer, that I have concluded so far (beyond crop feeding) would be to mix with either some handfeeding formula, or baby food, and force feed the bourke (since she will not take to handfeeding). Of course, I will get in contact with my vet to see if this is fine, or if he recommends something different.

[CALVINS MOM]

I would suggest squirting it right into her beak. That's probably your best bet.

[Monica]

The B-B is too thick to squirt as is into her mouth, which is why it needs to be diluted in some way.

The bourke has been taking the meds (Doxy) better the past couple of days, however she might always have a weeze if her lungs were damaged too badly. In the least bit however, I can tell that she prefers very warm tempts, because if she doesn't have some form of heat being directed on her (been using a lamp) she fluffs up and appears to be breathing just slightly harder. Even if she flies quite a bit she weezes badly, but once she calms down, she's fine again (other than maybe some fluffiness).

Vet was out Monday, and haven't gotten a hold of him today, will try again Wednesday.