Medications for Ill conures.

[chadg033]

I recently bought two 7 week old Sunday conures from a person who is not my normal breeder. It is obvious that these two babies are sick. The symptoms are slight lack of appetite (which is currently getting better) and I've noticed that one of them is always messy down around his vent.

The first thing I noticed was that these birds smelled HORRIBLE when I got them. I gave them a bath as soon as they got home, and a day later noticed that the one with the messy vent still smelled badly.

From reading things online it seems like they have either a respiratory infection or a gastro-issue, something that can be cleared up with antibiotics available at Petsmart. I bought Ornacyn-Plus which is Erythromycin based, and was wondering if I could also give them 8-in-1 Marvel Aid Bird Antibiotic, which is Sulfadimethoxine based. Both say that it should control the diarrhea, I just wanted to see if it was safe to give both at the same time or if I should wait until one treatment is done before starting the next?

[MandyG]

Personally, I wouldn't self-diagnose or use antibiotics that are available at a pet store. You should take your birds to an avian vet as soon as possible if there is one in your area.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

I second the motion to go the vet. A vet can culture the disease agent and select an effective treatment. IMO (and I'm not a vet) doubling up on the OTC antibiotics is just likely to deplete the good bacteria even worse than a single med. And if it is fungal or viral you'll just have wasted time and have a sicker bird. Personally, I'd take them both in and be super careful handling the rest of your flock.

[chadg033]

I've had both for about a week now, and have noticed considerable changes in how they are eating. When I first got them they were mopey and wouldn't eat much, but now they are very active and are acting pretty excited when it comes to hand feeding.

I'm only on day two of the erithromycin treatment and it says to give up to 10 days. They are getting nutrients, are separated from my other bird and are in general acting more lively. If at the end of 10 days the one still has diarrhea then I will heed your advice and take them to the vet.

[pchela]

My personal vet and several others that I've read online, always advise against the OTC medications saying they are worthless and will more than likely make the problem worse.

Here is an article that you might find helpful.

http://www.realmacaw.com/pages/overcount.html

Good luck with the babies and I hope they continue to improve under your care!

[birdvet]

Take them to an avian vet! There are many many different causes of diarrhoea and not all of them are enteritis. It could be a kidney problem with polyuria which looks like diarrhoea in birds.

Using OTC antibiotics is useless and many bugs these days are resistant to them, that's why they're available over the counter. You should never self diagnose systemic diseases, you will run in to problems.

On the topic of over the counter drugs, the same applies to worm medication...don't use pet store stuff, its rubbish and can often kill your pet...I've seen toxicities.

A good rule of thumb is to get your supplies from someone who is trained and knows what they're doing...check the aav.org webpage to find an avian veterinarian near you.

Sounds like these birds need a health check as they're new and not very well.

Good luck!

[GooseBlossom]

I agree. It is a waste of possibly precious time to dose with meds that may be ineffective. A bird doc can prescribe the best remedies and in effective doses and durations producing the best results in the fastest amount of time. They can also flavor them so that the feathered patients won't mind taking them.

[bmsweb]

. . messy down around his vent. . . birds smelled HORRIBLE

If you want these birds to survive I would take them to a vet and have them checked out. It will save you a lot sleepless nights and more importantly the birds have the best chance of survival.

None of our Baby Conures have ever smelled at all (even right up against our noses) and their vents have always been clear.

Good luck