crop infection

[Kiwi1224]

I had posted this issue on another forum a few months back and I'm hoping that someone on this forum has any input on crop infection. My parrotlet, Kiwi, is now 10 months old and I have an appt for her tomorrow morning to check her crop. She had an infection in her crop and was medicated for it. I thought everything was cleared and today I heard the noise in her throat which almost sounds like when we clear out throats. This time around she has a tiny bit of discharge from her cere.

I really don't like the thought of additional antibiotics...has anyone dealt with this issue?

Thanks...Debbie

[2horse]

I don't know about crop infection in older birds, but if you give antibiotics, give some yogurt after. Apple cider vinnigar can cure mild crop infections, but because it has returned to need a vet to rule out other problems.

[Kiwi1224]

Angie - thanks for the info on the yogurt. I give her apple cider vinegar water on a week on/week off basis from the last infection so I'm concerned that it has come back. I'm glad that we have a morning appt and see what's going on. I began to wonder the last couple days when she would eat a bit but not with the appetite that she normally has so I really have been watching. Thanks again for your response..Debbie

[starbird]

If your bird is being given antibiotics, DO NOT give yogurt right after as it will negate the antibiotics. I believe it may be taken inbetween doses. Ask your avian vet what to do. ALSO, apple cider vinegar should not be administered either with out your vet's ok. There is a lot of history with apple cider vinegar, and most of it is wive's tales. It's not the magic product that we have all been lead to believe.

Good luck with your baby.

bonnie jay

[wildirish]

The only reasong to feed yogurt is to put back the good bacteria, and this should NOT be done until AFTER the antibiotics have been used up and your bird rechecked. Most vets will then give you a probiotic which give them back those bacteria.

I agree with the above post in regards to ACV, it is not necessary to give to your birds on regular basis and without the ok of your vet.

[Kiwi1224]

Thank you for the posts. I will ask the vet in the morning about the vinegar as she has instructed me to do the week on and week off on a regular basis. I will ask her about that again. I do have bene bac that I use with Kiwi during stressful molts and will check with the vet if I should use during antibiotics (I'm hoping that we don't have to go that route). I appreciate the help!!

[Tishrei]

Obviously, I would be of no help as I'm still a novice as far as birds. However, I was curious about the yogurt. I've been told that dairy is a no-no for birds even though Ducky loves yogurt. I do allow him to eat some of mine and he's had no ill affects but I limit how much I'll allow.

[teresasbirds]

My experience has been that normaly a vet. will give something like nyastatin or dyflucan after treating with an antibiotic? So that they don't develop a yeast infection.

[Winged_Victory]

A crop infection is normally treated with an antibiotic like Baytril, Clavamox, or Ciprofloxcin. Use of the antibiotics strips the bird of both bad and good bacteria. Antibiotics can cause the bird to become immune compromised and this can lead to a fungal infection like yeast or “budding yeast”. Many vets will prescribe an antifungal like nystatin or fluconazole with antibiotics, others do not. After a round of antibiotics most vets will recommend a probiotic to stimulate the growth of good bacteria.

As far as ACV goes, many vets recommend it! We add drops to our bird’s water to keep any bacteria count down in their water. If your vet is recommending ACV, she believes in it. Some breeders use ACV in their hand feeding formula to clear up minor cases of candidiasis. I recommend you talk to your avian vet more about ACV and probiotics, then come back and post her comments.

One of my avian medical books By Dr. Gregg Harrison recommends ACV for many things including; diarrhea, GI tract disturbances, chronic bacterial or yeast infections.

[2horse]

As I said I don't know about crop infections in older birds. I have only ever needed ACV and never used antibiotics for crop infections. This is babies I refer to. For me ACV has been magic stuff, I take action very soon when the problem occurs and do not wait to treat. Antibiotics in babies IMO cause more harm than good as the baby will become resistant to antibiotics later on. The problem here is that the infection returned, that is why a vet is needed. I was thinking of yogurt in terms of after the antibiotic course is finished while the drugs are still in half life.