B&G with Chlamydophila

[Bradleyzoo]

Our B&G Macaw, Harley, has been diagnosed with Chlamydophila. We are supposed to give him Doxycycline - 25 mg every 12 hours for 2 weeks. Problem is that it´s so bitter we can´t get him to take it. We´ve mixed it in all kinds of things, but he takes one bite then refuses to take any more. Has anyone else had to administer this anti-biotic? Do you have any words of advice as to how you got your fid to eat it?

We appreciate any advice or suggestions you may have. Thanks in advance for your help!!

[wildirish]

Is this a liquid med, if so after you get the amount needed into the syringe, then suck up a little cherry juice or other juice into the syringe and shake it up, then feed it! Don't add the juice to the bottle though, it will go bad.

This is how we cheat with a couple of ours that were stubborn about meds! The cherry juice is a bit thicker than other juices so seemed to work great!

[5fingerJack]

I laugh at how simple sometimes life is. The FDA took the water additive off the market and now birds who have not been properly introduced to the syringe, freak out.
'Laugh some more jack.' Did they send you home with '2' plastic syringes?

Also, if one of those things gets within an inch of that beak it's a goner, and that's with the 'judo' hold. The local vet thought something was very strange when I asked for a dozen.

Get 'extras' and also ask for a real sugar additive or do it yourself, cause I think the standard vet fair is 'nutrisweet'.

[Many Feathers]

Your B&G has Psittacosis, aka Parrot Fever, and it is contagious across species to humans, as well. Wildirish has an excellent suggestion for getting the meds in, but make sure that it does get down in the prescribed dose, for the prescribed amount of time. Chlamydophila is highly contagious and you will need to keep your hands, clothing, bottom of your shoes, and such extremely clean. I dont know where your bird picked it up from, but if you frequent any place with birds regularly, the ethical thing to do would be to advise them of your diagnosis.

[5fingerJack]

Parrot Fever is not a Jimmy Buffet song? I do recal the follow up to the 'Kon Tiki' voyage was stricken with this, a month out to sea. Both sailor and bird mascot. If I remember correctly, the raft had some contact with 'feral' sea birds.

johnsons? arg!

[Copper]

Cages need to be disinfected too, and if there are other birds in the house it might be wise to see about treating them as well to make sure they don't get it. You should also wear a mask since it can be transmitted to humans as well, and with cleaning cages, you could breathe it in.... Bird may not like it, but less chance of you getting it.

[Bradleyzoo]

Thanks everyone for all the info and suggestions. We haven't had an absolutely difinitive diagnosis because we live in Honduras and there is no avian vet office in the whole country. There is a US trained vet on our island who graciously came out to look at Harley, but was not able to take blood samples. The diagnosis was from his examination of Harley and the fact that he has had a runny nose on and off for a couple of months.

As for the meds..... I don't have a liquid med that is made for birds, just the people med in capsule form that I am trying to disolve in honey, or whatever to try to get Harley to take it. I don't blame the poor guy, I stuck my finger in it and it tastes horrible! It's soooo bitter!

Is there a liquid form of this that I could order from the States that might taste better?

Thanks also for the info re: how contagious it is. I will definitely not go around other birds until this is taken care of and will take all the suggested precaucions. We have a CAG that is in close proximity to Harley during the night, but she is not showing any signs at all.

Also, the vet told me to treat for 7 to 10 days, but I found a link on the American Veterinary Medicine Association web page that said to treat for 45 days! I'm going to ask the vet about this but was wondering if anyone has any additional info that may help.

Thanks again so much for all your insights! Can't tell you how much we appreciate all you folks on this board. It warms our hearts how much you all love your fids.

[Macaaaw]

I would send a blood sample to avian bio tech.

You can get a free sample kit to return to them with a drop of blood. The test(s) do not cost much, but then you WILL know for sure what the bird has. Some vet looking and then prescribing a treatment without testing is kaka.

Order Collection Kits and Supplies Online

[Bradleyzoo]

Hi Macaaaw.... what a wonderful idea!! I didn´t think of that - I just assumed they did sex testing and didn´t realize they did disease testing too. I agree that having a vet just look at the bird and then precribing is kaka.... unfortunately that is close to all we have available in the 3rd world. I will order my kit today! Thanks again for the wonderful idea!! P.S. Love your signature picture.

[5fingerJack]

Have you tried the popsicle method? You know, made from icecream and fruit syrup? A local breeder suggested this. Heavy cream masks bitter tastes.

Our vet (before he retired) told us 20 minutes of sunlight around the eyes.

There is a lot of research of full spectrum lightbulbs. Just don't buy one and stick in under a glass globe. (only Quartz glass allows UV spectrum !!)

Do macaws require more B-12? They eat red meat (snakes) in the wild?

Health food items: NOW B-12 aerosal spray. GSE. Palm Oil. Carrot juice (A)

Very esoteric. Surfers are getting sick from Red Tide (driftwood? Raw fish?)
Some think it may even be a bacteria. Talk to your vet.
We have seen a lot of sea bird deaths (very sad. California Coast here.)

Here are the links from my sick bird folder:
http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww26eiii.htm
http://www.exoticbird.com/gillian/
http://www.birdcareco.com/English/Pr.../sickbird.html (I would purchase Sovereign Silver aerosal bottle only! IMHO)
You get better Harley,
jack