Need advice on purchase of Scarlet Macaw

[AlyCamp83]

I lost my first Scarlet Macaw, Maui, about 4 weeks ago. She was only 4 months old. While preparing her formula, she attempted to fly from my husband to the counter, where I was mixing her formula. She missed the stove, hit her chest on the stove handle and fell to the floor. The following morning she "coughed" up blood, so I rushed her to the emergency vet. Long story short, she was kept overnight. Five hours after leaving her at the 24 hour vets office, I got a phone call that she had passed away :(
After contacting the breeder to let him know, he has since offered us Maui's brother, Mojo. Mojo finished his antibiotics (Nystatin) for a yeast infection. Since having such a scary experience with his sister, I have to admit that I am a little wary. I guess my questions are:

1. Does a yeast infection mean that there is something else going on?
2. Are yeast infections common in macaws or in young macaws in general?
*3. What is the possiblity of a yeast infection recurring? / Does this indicate what the health of the bird will be like in the future???

[FoxersArtist]

I'm so sorry to hear about your first experience with your first macaw. What a heartbreak and such a traumatic event for you.

Yeast infection is common in baby birds who are being handfed. It is usually the result of overfeeding, or formula being fed at too low a temperature. If untreated, yeast infection usually turns into "slow crop" or "impacted" crop and the bird can die without proper care. Many baby birds develop a yeast infection when their breeders are just learning or not well educated about the care of baby parrots, but occassionally, it seems to happen anyway.

My first suggestion is to absolutely not adopt that baby until he is done weaning because, yes, a yeast infection can reoccur, especially after antibiotics have been given. The chances of a yeast infection developing after the bird is weaned are much slimmer so this would be a safer option for everyone involved. As long as the yeast infection was properly treated and does not reoccur, your bird should not suffer ill effects. I have had baby birds with yeast infection turn into an impacted crop who became stunted due to lack of nutrition during the episode, and if that's the case, there may be some concern about bone development, but if there is simply a yeast infection that was treated right away without a reoccurance, I wouldn't think the baby would be affected over the long term.

All of the things you have mentioned put up a few red flags to me about your breeder. Why did he sell you an unweaned bird? Was he using improper feeding techniques that lead to a yeast infection? And lastly, parrots can be fragile but I am very shocked to hear that your bird flew into the side of the stove and suffered enough internal injury to die. Many baby birds are clumsy and have accidents like this and I have never heard of one perishing from internal injuries. If the macaws that are being raised are not fed a diet with the right balance, they will have health issues and bones that are too soft to support them. This can lead to all sorts of health issues in the future. I would caution you to ask questions and learn as much as you can about the husbandry of this breeder before proceeding.

Again, I'm so sorry for your loss and hope that you will be able to bring a new baby home again soon.
-Anna

[AlyCamp83]

Thank you so much for the info. It was very helpful!

[Irish]

Yeast infections are commonly brought on by stress, among other things. Hys are especially prone to them when young, and often have to be treated for it repeatedly. Yeast infections can be deadly if not treated.

Considering how stressful handfeeding can be for both the bird and its humans, if you're at all worried, I'd ask the breeder to wean the baby before sending him to you. A good, conscientious breeder will be more concerned about the long-term health of a baby than they will about getting it sold asap, unweaned.