We may have beat Giardia :D

[Grey_Moon]

Ok so

Just brought Sully back from the vet today and s/he's weighing in at 74 grams.
The vet ran a gram stain and a fecal smear/slide test..and the results (as well---Sully was dna sexed...waiting eagerly on that result---as you can see Jacko was also sexed---and turned out to be a girl!)

-One wicked yeast infection (but considering the rozidanole (?) prescribed for the giardia---not surprised) but thats all good.

-The giardia test had interesting results---there was only TWO organisms in the whole slide that *may* of been the parasite but looked like any number of things. Whereas when initially tested there was so many it was a clear positive, and the shape was definite type of thing. The vet couldn't diagnose Sully as positive this time around. Which is great.

She sent me home with the yeast meds, some probiotics and apple cider vinegar dosing instructions. Hoping my little squeak-beak has rid him/herself of the monster bug this time around

We're going back to do another giardia test in a month to see what's developed as a confirmation.

What do you guys make of the giardia test finding?

[coral]

ive never heard of it but sounds like hes doing good keep us updated on what happens!

[kaylayuh]

Is Giardia something that's only an issue in Cockatiels? I've never heard of it in any other bird, and the local PETsMART stopped selling Cockatiels because of it.

At any rate, it sounds like your little guy is well on his way to being completely better. Good luck!

[Grey_Moon]

It's prevalent in cockatiels, but also in budgies and a host of other small birds.
It can and does affect larger parrots as well though.

Coral---giardia is a water-borne intestinal parasite that comes in a few subspecies (I say this because it was once thought to be zoonotic and passed on to people--but it seems the parasite that infects birds isn't *quite* the same one that infects humans, dogs etc). It is *notoriously* tough to kill as it often resists most disinfections and requires multiple rounds of medications---as well often infected birds can remain without symptoms and infect all birds around them. It causes extreme itchiness, weight loss, diarhhea or runny droppings, weakened immuned system so the bird often has secondary infections (Sully for example had multiple reoccuring yeast/bacterial infections of the gut and as such was mistakenly treated for Avian Gastric Yeast/Megabacteria), as well as vomiting, depression and in chicks and some birds death etc.
Most cockatiels are actually thought to be infected...I've seen scary numbers like 3/4 of them. This is partially due to the elusive nature of the bug and the fact alot of cockatiels are mass raised and the bug is highly contagious through poop.

The parasite is like I said extremely tough to kill partially because it has become resistant to flagyl which is traditionally prescribed to treat it (Sully was on six rounds of meds with no results---the vet prescribed the rozidanole (?) and with daily ammonia-based disinfecting of the cage/acessories it might of finally done the trick). So difficult in fact that most of the time it is sort of like living with a terminal/autoimmune disorder---you are told to keep the bird as healthy and happy as you can and the goal is no symptoms...not a cure.

[kaylayuh]

That sounds absolutely awful. I did a quick google search earlier and was surprised at the host of symptoms and number of birds thought to be infected. The google search also mentioned an antibiotic used in Germany that's been getting promising results, but it's not approved for use in the US.

I hope your little guy finally kicks his infection. It sounds absolutely heartbreaking to have to deal with.

[coral]

that sounds horrible poor little guy i hope everything goes okay but if the goal is no symptoms then id say hes doing pretty good, let me know how everything is going!

[entrancedbymyGCC]

I'm glad things are looking optimistic!

[captwest]

Yeah the meds are a pain , but more important is the clean up you need to do to keep from reinfecting. Good luck !

[GlassOnion]

I'm glad to hear things are getting better!

[Grey_Moon]

All righty everyone

Sooo a week later here's an update:

Sully is a BOY! (Although....by his whistling and head-bobbing and talking...I shouldve known lol)
Yeast meds are well underway at this point...without too much resentment on his part, although I'll be glad when they're done.
Poop appears to be all good, although it sometimes backtracks and looks a bit off its definetly improving.


Diet/Cleaning Routine:

-Daily spray/wipedown with vinegar/water mix and of course new papers
-Eating the small size golden'obles (they both LOVE it)
-Both are on pro-biotics dusted onto their pellets and an organic apple cider vinegar regimen in their water at a ratio of 1 tbs to 8 oz of water.

Hopefully the vet will have good news at Sully's re-evaluation in the first week of May. Untill then both birds are staying on the apple cider vinegar regimen (prescribed for Sully but she said as well it may benefit Jacko---and so far it has---she seems to like the taste and drinks more lol)