Help with chronic bacterial infections

jewel21

New member
Aug 9, 2017
2
0
Hi,

I'm new to the forums and I was hoping someone might be able to help me.

I have a five year old cockatiel named Steve McQueen. Since he was about six months old, he's had a variety of health issues including the following:

1. aspergillosis (had surgery, was nebulized. Filmed for TV)
2. liver problems (changed to pellet diet, still has issues. I'm bad with veggies, though.)
3. crop and stool infections (this year almost every month. We treat and it comes back after a few weeks.)

He eats Harrison's AL fine, avicakes, and gets the following supplements on his food daily: benebac (probiotic), hepatosupport (cleanse liver) and missing link (improve immune system.)

I've made sure to clean his cage bottom daily and vet wrapped any parts of his cage that has metal showing per the vet's suggestion.

He has a toy that is called a 'stuffed finger.' It is made of bamboo and stuffed with crinkly paper. If anyone wants, I can post a picture. He loves this toy and masturbates on it at least once daily. And then he dismounts and chews on it. Could this be causing the bacterial infections? I asked my vet and she didn't seem to know....

Is it safe for a bird to hump a toy and then eat it? Should I remove the toy?

I'm seeing a new vet at a new clinic this Saturday because his infection appears to be back (smelly stools, and lots of air bubbles in the stools aka gas) but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask.

I hope someone can help me. Being on antibiotics constantly can't be good for his liver or kidneys and I'm worried he'll eventually become resistant to the antibiotics.

Thank you!
 

Pinkbirdy

New member
Feb 26, 2013
2,203
1
Clifton Springs Newyork
Parrots
macaw,LS2,congo grey,2Blk Hd caiques,Hawkhead,yellowstrk lory,Blue frnt amazon,sun conure ,Yellow sided greencheek ,Goffin ,Rosebreasted Cockatoo,Greenwing Macaw,Blue and Gold Macaw,Nanday conure,Ecle
Of course you need to rid the bacterial infection first.I use one cap full per gallon of water of apple vinagear cider.Read up on it and ask your vet .Of course the amount would be different for your little tiel.Sometimes reacurring infections are caused by a primary problem .Has he been ABV tested ?
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,646
10,008
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
If you are not seeing a Certified Avian Vet, you need too!

The Post above provides a strong likelihood as to what maybe an underlining issue.
 
OP
J

jewel21

New member
Aug 9, 2017
2
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #4
Thank you for the responses.

I've used apple cider vinegar in his water in the past. He still seems to get infections, but I haven't tried in awhile.

He was going to a hospital that specializes in treating only birds and exotics. The practice was owned by a certified avian vet although she was no longer practicing.

The new clinic I will be trying has an exotic animal expert so I'm hoping he can help. He seems to have gotten a lot of positive reviews.

Aside from that, it's very hard to find a certified avian vet where I live.

And, no, he has never been tested for ABV. It was never even brought up to me the entire time they were treating him at the hospital.
 
Last edited:

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,646
10,008
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
The testing is commonly only done when a repeat of bacterial infections are seen as a way of determining what maybe limiting the strength of a Parrot to hold-off infections. The additional testing is something that your Vet would be recommending not the hospital.

That all said, there is also a possibility that your home may have a hot spot that has the bacterial level higher than normal. Sometimes the process requires a top to bottom top and deep cleaning. If your home has damp areas that should be addressed as well.
 

Most Reactions

Latest posts

Top