Little Lukah is sick ): Please help

Hey guys! It's been a while since I've been on, but I need help- Lukah is sick.

His symptoms: Sneeze with discharge from the nose, panting after flying, high level of urates in his poop, often has tremors

My prognosis: About 5 months ago my roommate brought home a stray cocatiel she had found outside. When she took it to the vet and got its blood work done it had Chlamydia psittaci. We immediately deep cleaned the entire house, moved it outside and sold it with its medicine to a loving family. However, the disease is highly contagious and all of Lukah's symptoms now point to him having it.

I have set up a vet appointment with the only certified avian vet in my area that seems to have a sound background and isn't incredibly far away. However, I can't get in till Monday the 5th of May.

I ordered some Doxycycline 20% from a site online (http://www.allbirdproducts.com/newproductpages/AB10233.html) but it won't be here for a few more days.

Question 1: Has anyone ever used Doxycycline not prescribed by the vet to treat their bird before? I am going to put it in his water (1 tsp for every gallon of water, made fresh daily and removed at the end of each day). I don't want to just sit by and do nothing while he suffers.

Question 2: Has anyone's pet ever had Chlamydia psittaci before and is there any non-medicated methods I should be using to help him in the mean time? Diet change? Specific foods that are good to eat? Anything?

Thanks so much for your help you guys! I was up all last night searching online for options and I'm worried sick.

Kellie- here is some very good info for you.

Chlamydia Psittaci

you may want to keep him warm at night, offering a heat lamp.

If I were you, I would try and seek out another vet sooner rather than later at this point.
make sure he is getting sufficient water consumption, and is still eating.
good luck, and please let us know what happens.

Thank you Crimson. I live in Phoenix, so he is definitely warm at night, but I will take that into consideration!

He is still eating and drinking as much as ever. The medicine should be here in 2 days and then I can start him on that to hold him over till I can meet with the vet.

My Macaw had Chlamydia ,They used Baytril on her for months [it didn't touch her]. She was in bad shape by the time I took her to Cornell. They used Doxycycline and it saved her life!!!!!!!!!

Pinkbirdy- that's encouraging!!! Did they have you give it to her orally, in her water or in pellet form?
The one I got goes in his water supply.. hoping that will work? Or at least keep him okay until I can get him into the vet

Also pinkbirdy- did they have you do anything else for her while she was sick? Special lighting? Special sleeping hours? Cleaning?

Harlow was so bad they gave it through shots first then through a syringe .Even though she was eating too. She lost a lot of weight [which they can do quickly] . I had to hand feed her to get her nutrients up. Also they had me give het milk thistle[through a syringe]. What I would do is first call this vet and say its a emergency. If they say they take birds they should know a bird can be dead in 24 hrs . Tell them you need to speak to the vet [and if so in the mean time get you oral Doxycycline]. I Wouldn't feel confident about him drinking enough water.[I would syringe some of it in im slowly if that's all you could do. Read my thread in bereavement "My Macaw Died". I Would say to the receptionist . Now this is my other Macaw that just died [because I was being nice and polite to the receptionist ]. My other Macaw died at the vets . The Vet said "It was too little to late ". So read my thread and use my story. But My other Macaw with the Chlamydia is all well today

My vet wasn't in yesterday when I called, but I will call again first thing tomorrow and tell them I need to talk to her and that it's an emergency like you said. That's a good idea.

Right now my plan is to give him the Doxycycline in his water when I first get it, as I don't know the appropriate amount to give to him orally and don't want to do something wrong. Maybe the vet will be able to give me more info on dosage when I call.

I'm so worried. This has been and continues to be more stressful than I ever imagined.

Just got a message saying my doxycycline is on it's way! It's coming priority mail, so it's just a waiting game now.

Update on Lukah: He is still eating and drinking and playing normally- sneezing not as much. He sneezes a lot more and is a lot more tired by the end of the day.

If he does come back positive, you need to make an appointment with your doctor because it is transferrable to humans. For now, you need to wear a mask when you clean his cage, as the microscopic dust from dried droppings is how it spreads to humans. Better safe than sorry! And I hope the medication arrives soon and he pulls through.

Thanks Kiwibird-I'd heard about it being transferable to humans and have already started to take precautionary measures. I am deep cleaning the entire house, wiping down walls, floors, everything to make sure its clean and not circulating through the house.

Here's hoping I don't get it or already have it, but I'm going to visit the doctor to get checked soon anyway!

Personally, I'd be concerned about medicating a bird without first being seen by an avian vet, since medications may make tests incorrect.

Would definitely try to get him in earlier if you can!