everything came back normal except white blood cell count was high My vet is worried that my baby has Giardia. which would explain her "itchyness" I have been trying to google it for you guys, but I am about to leave work.
Now I have to bite my lip and fork out money I know I dont have to have this test done, and yes I would fork over my car if I had too, just as long as she turns out ok
I will keep you guys posted

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-Cricket
aka- "Pooh-bird"

Quick post... didnt even get to read it yet

http://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/giardia.html

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-Cricket
aka- "Pooh-bird"

I don't know what that is but you sound rather upset!

I'll go check in a while!

Don't worry since it is something treatable!Everything is gonna be fine!

Of course you keep us updated!

I am sending Cricket hugs...

At least you found it and now something can be done. I don't know much about it, but it sounds like Cricket is in good hands with you. I mean anyone willing to get medicine showers must love their fid!!!

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Chi ... not to fret too much!! Cricket is in good hands with both you and your vet ... I have dealt with giardia in birds, cats and dogs. It is messy, bothersome, a pain in the butt ... quite persistent, but it is not life threatening and quite treatable.

A fecal is all that is necessary to run the test for it. The normal treatment is Metronidozole ... through a syringe (with bird toweled, unfortunately, as you want to make absolutely sure that Cricket ingests the full dosing).

Giardia is persistent and can be wiley to detect; it only shows up in a fecal when it is shedding. It is possible for our pets to have Giardia that is dormant and not showing signs. It does make sense with the itching that Cricket has been having. Does Cricket fuss about and itch around the anal area? That is a sign in birds of Giardia.

But, again, don't fret too awful much. I am perplexed as to how birds contract Giardia -- dogs and cats (in my region) get it via the irrigation water that comes out of the river (it is born from beaver dams upstream). Humans also get Giardia, and you will want to be especially cognizant to wash your hands after handling little Cricket.

It is very treatable, and my best to you! Getting Metronidozole into cats and dogs is just as tricky as with birds ... be prepared! LOL

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Namaste, Anna

Also, for my birds after being dx'd with Giardia, I began offering purified water in lieu of tap water.

The dogs and cats are different ... difficult to keep them off the lawn after irrigating (well, cats are indoors now, so not a prob, but dogs are more of a challenge).

No probs since switching to filtered water for the birds.

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Namaste, Anna

Giardia, yep I was gonna say everything that Deanna has just posted, I won't say it now. Its tricky but it can be cured thats the good part of it. And with you looking after her, she's gonna be well and guarida free in no time. Give her big hugs from us all.

Keep your chin up gal, Crickets gonna do just great.

Hugs to ya both.

Thank you guys... I am sure she will be ok... matter of fact she doesnt even know that she might be sick LOL
We still have the chance that it will come back neg. I am worried that that it will come back neg and end up her being positive, because at $70 a test I might have to sell my liver

Peta, you lucked out, do to the vet bills and some other bills I will be having to cut back on some of lifes perks... which means no more dunkin donuts coffee for a while

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-Cricket
aka- "Pooh-bird"

Holy MOLY Chi! $70 a pop?? Yikers ... I've just checked with my avian vet and they charge $28!! Good golly, I'm shocked

It is possible for the test to show a false-negative, and you will have to re-test. I would wait until Cricket's fecal is quite watery/runny and grab a sample at that point ... if the fecal is normal looking, chances are the Giardia is running dormant and will not register on the test. But, that might save a little money!

As far as going without coffee and donuts Yikes, again! I'll send some Starbucks your way (I live on the stuff, and no one, NO ONE should be deprived of their java!!).

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Namaste, Anna

Also, Chi (sorry to keep posting, keep thinking of things to pass along to you), when capturing a stool sample, it is good to use a piece of foil (it is not permeable ... whereas a tissue, napkin or newspaper absorbs the watery part of the feces).

You have to be mindful and watch that Cricket doesn't become attracted to the shineyness of the foil, keep her distracted and up off the flooring of the cage until she poops. Then, when she does, be prepared to rush the sample post haste to the vet as fast as you can (time is sort of of the essence, as the fresher the stool sample, the better the test and results).

Anyway, good luck. You really can have peace of mind that Giardia is treatable (persistent pain in the butt, but treatable all the same).

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Namaste, Anna