respiratory infection

[jacquie]

Hi all. Sorry for not posting for a long time.

Sunny the senegal has always been a frail bird since I adopted her a year ago. a couple of weeks ago she developed a respiratory infection. I was unable to get her to the avian vet 250 miles away since I am visually impaired and can't drive. I did call the avian vet but was unable to obtain a consultation over the phone regarding meds. I brought her to a local vet who was willing to see her (all the others said they'd just put her to sleep). She was in a very serious condition, but has survived with much care, love and medications and seems to be making a modest improvement in the past few days. We tried an antibiotic for a few days with no improvement. then I suggested to the vet to put her on the antibiotic, an antifungal and an anti-inflamatory all at once since it appeared she was already trying to die on me. I believe from my research that she may have a fungal (asperogillis sp?) infection and the antifungal is the one that is perking her up. I have a humidifyer and an air purifyer. She is currently in my bedroom in her travel cage with a heater and humidifyer. She is still resting on the bottom on a towel, but is eating quite well. She was never a big drinker but I am giving her apple and Abba greens 92 porridge to get fluid in to her.

My question is: have others experienced these types of infections and how long should I keep her on meds for? Should I keep her on all 3 for a time?

She is currently on: baytril, metecam and terbinafine

Thanks everyone,

Jacquie

[marie83]

I haven't got a clue about the treatments and stuff but I wanted to wish you and your bird well.

I know you said you cannot get a phone consultation with an avian vet but would your vet be able to contact the avian vet for advice and hopefully sort out some sort of testing/treatment plan? Some vets wont consider it, if not is there another experienced bird vet who might be able to offer guidence to your current vet?
I would seriously look into this to give your bird the best chance of recovery.

Everything crossed for you and please keep us updated so we can learn too.

[terri]

I wish I knew where you were.I was told by a vet [who I trust] That baytril is not strong enough to help bird problems.No matter the dose or how many times you give it to them.Most vets use baytril [iI dont know why] I went through 2 vets and my Macaw was at deaths door.[we used lots of baytril] Find my post on this MY Harlows Sick.This was a 3 month ordeal until I found the right vet and right medicine[also you need to have the bird on a 2 month duration to truly have it work]Im in the states I went to cornell in Ithica newyork.They would do a phone consultation an could send medicine to you 1607-253-3060 ask about amoxicillion[sp?]It was the most amazing experience[Its a teaching hospital they have all the latest approved medicines and labs[I had did alot of my consultations on the phone because it was far from me.[I will never trust my birds to the vets around here that call themselves bird vets Good luck keep us updated.

[jacquie]

Thank you both. I am in British Columbia, Canada by the way. There are a handful of avian vets in BC, but just not where I live. I'll try one of the bird sanctuaries to see about advice regarding meds too. Since they are a charitable organization they may be more willing to dispense advice over the phone.

I will mention to the vet about switching from Baytril as well as keeping her on meds for an extended period of time.

Thank you for your well-wishes. They are much appreciated. I know she is not out of the woods yet but I am trying to be hopeful.

Jacquie

[charlieandkiwi]

That's heartbreaking. I hope everything turns out okay.

[jacquie]

I have spent a lot of time in tears the past few days. Sunny is still trying hard and so am I. She is still on all three meds. I've got messages in to others with hopefully more bird experience to answer my questions.

I am at a crossroads it seems. Not quite ready to let her go and put her to sleep, but not sure how long I should keep this going. Is it cruel of me to keep this up while she is so sick? Is she suffering? These are the questions I ask myself and cry. I feel guilty for placing her next to my large fig tree now that I have learned that it could have been the cause of this. I just thought she'd enjoy seeing the leaves over top of her cage. But I also try and remind myself that she has been thin and very weak, and likely a long time carrier of this infection. There hasn't been large physical improvements no matter what I have done over the past year despite a top notch diet, love and fresh air and sunlight. She has gone camping and looked out over lakes and watched the butterflies and bees and birds. I know she is very bonded to me and I have loved my year with her. She is cheerful, trusting and has never even tried a nip no matter what was done to her. Sorry I am rambling here. I just have a lot on my mind.

I guess what I can say at this point is after 11 days on meds I don't see any improvement in her breathing, but she is eating a bit (not as much as she should) and she is still greeting me with a quiet little honk and cheep and a happy, smacky beak. She climbs on to my hand and takes her meds so well. She is probably only a little over 100 grams at this point though (at best she was up to 115 grams).

Any philosophical opinions on where to draw the line between trying to save her until the bitter end and what is humane would be helpful. My heart and my head and having a tug of war.

Thanks from Jacquie and Sunny

[terri]

Harlow was on so much medicine that wouldnt touch her,I was sure she had cancer.They say the medicines they normally use are not strong enough to touch bird issues.But there are medicines that will work.Please call that number explain your situation,ask to talk to Dr.Morrisey.At the least I think he could direct you.Please try it,DONT GIVE UP it might be as simple as just the right medicine.

[jacquie]

I called Dr. Morissey's office. The staff person told me that they would not talk to me about Sunny over the phone, but would talk to the vet up here if he so wishes. I've called and left a message to let him know that I'd like that. There is also one other avian vet that I am waiting to talk to tomorrow.

Thanks for the continuing support during this stressful time.

Jacquie

[terri]

Thats their process ,they did the same to me.You gave them your vets name and number?Hes going to want the bloodwork info on him.Have you had that done? Follow up with them tomorrow.If you get to talk to him.You can use my name TERRI and he treated Harlow my catalina Macaw with her liver problem.Explain how far you are and you really need help,Keep us updated

[jacquie]

Hi Terri and others. Sunny is still fighting the good fight, I am relieved to say. She is still not standing well and she is still having trouble with sneezing and open beak breathing when stressed at all. I had a brief talk with an avian vet in Vancouver (a major city center) in BC. She suggested an oxygen concentrator (costs about $35 per day to rent or $1000 used). There was still not even a remote idea of whether that would help her recover and I can't afford that kind of treatment (I would do anything for one of my pets but this is financially over the top for me especially for a "just try this and see " kind of idea). I talked to the vet in my city who is prescribing meds to Sunny and she has messages in to a respected avian vet in BC - she wants to do this before calling internationally. I've checked in every other day for a week and this Saturday as well and she still hadn't talked to the avian vet. The vet here and the avian vet seem empathetic, but not very speedy on answers. I know they are very busy and she is just one small bird, but she is mine and I love her.

The vet says they won't do blood work or sedate her for xrays because she'll likely not live through that. My impression at this point in that they just don't think Sunny will recover and they are just letting me take my time to come that conclusion too since I am keeping her comfortable and she is still cheeping at me and doing the happy beak smacking thing (idea being that she is not suffering yet). The vet says she is trying to find a pharmacy that will order the new antifungal called Vericonazole that the avian vet recommended in our short conversation.

Sunny has been medicated for 21 days with no marked improvement but no deterioration either. She may be permanently damaged beyond recovery at this point - I don't know.... It would be unfair of me to keep her living in this level of illness for too much longer, but I keep holding off putting her to sleep each week because I think "well next week maybe I'll get a call from some expert offering some fantastic option.

I'll keep you all updated as best I can. Thank you for the support.

Jacquie (and Sunny bird)