Marbofloxacin Antibiotic

Sorry to start a new thread about my Senegal's issues but wanted to ask a specific question and didn't want it to get lost in my previous thread.

I took my Ri to the vet's yesterday because of his polyuria and he was given ten days of Marbofloxacin (Marbocyl) antibiotic, to see if that helped (all his fecal tests came back fine). But the vet said he thought it was probably his kidneys and to see him in about a week. He just wanted to see if this antibiotic helped in any way, so infection could be ruled out before blood tests and x rays for his kidneys.

Since his first dose yesterday (0.07ml - once a day), his poops have been even more polyuric. I know antibiotics can cause stomach upsets but I don't want this antibiotic to be even harder on his kidneys and make him even more polyuric, if this is what we're trying to make better.

So, my question is - does anyone have any experience of this particular antibiotic? I can't find an awful lot of information about it in parrots - just in dogs and cats. I hear so much bad stuff about how parrots get worse after antibiotics, so just wanted to know if anyone else has used this one and did it make your parrot's poops even more watery? I'm just a bit worried about giving him his second dose today and it creating more problems, than it solves.

Also, I've read that you should give probiotics, while your bird is on antibiotics. The vet didn't mention this to me. Some say to give yoghurt with probiotics in - but I'm trying to find one here in the UK. They say "live cultures" and "bio" so I presume that is the same thing.

Thanks in advance for any info.

I don't know why the vet didn't FIRST do something as basic as a blood panel, instead of just "guessing" and going straight to giving antibiotics! The act of drawing a bit of blood, while not pleasant, does not cause any kind of trauma if the bird is handled sensibly by a vet. It's a basic routine procedure! On the other hand, giving meds that may not be needed (or might not be the right one) might cause more harm than good IMHO. Doesn't make sense to me.
I think this bird NEEDS to start with a blood panel to see how his organ function is. Was this an avian vet or at least one who is familiar with birds? Sorry, I just have to ask, as it doesn't sound like the vet knew where to even start, or was not confident about drawing blood from a bird. I'd go somewhere else asap.

Please don't be sorry for posting this, it's what this forum is for. best of luck with your little guy.

I also think you need to take him for a second opinion. If his fecal came back negative for infection, there was no need to put him on an antibiotic before blood was drawn and tested. I would be looking to get him in to (preferably) a avian-specialized or at least an exotics vet with avian experience ASAP for PROPER testing an treatment AFTER diagnosis.

In regards to yogurt, yet it is perfectly fine in small amounts in otherwise healthy birds after a course of antibiotics. Seeing as you are unsure what is wrong with your bird at this point, I would not advise giving him yogurt unless you get the ok from the vet AFTER the source of the polyuria is discovered. As parrots are not mammals they of course do not naturally consume dairy products. While most can handle a little dairy with no ill effect, I have no idea if dairy would be dangerous to give to a bird with suspected kidney problems or other unknown issue.

RavensGryf said:

I don't know why the vet didn't FIRST do something as basic as a blood panel, instead of just "guessing" and going straight to giving antibiotics! The act of drawing a bit of blood, while not pleasant, does not cause any kind of trauma if the bird is handled sensibly by a vet. It's a basic routine procedure! On the other hand, giving meds that may not be needed (or might not be the right one) might cause more harm than good IMHO. Doesn't make sense to me.
I think this bird NEEDS to start with a blood panel to see how his organ function is. Was this an avian vet or at least one who is familiar with birds? Sorry, I just have to ask, as it doesn't sound like the vet knew where to even start, or was not confident about drawing blood from a bird. I'd go somewhere else asap.

Please don't be sorry for posting this, it's what this forum is for. best of luck with your little guy.

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Yes, he's a qualified avian vet. It's the only practice I take my bird to, even though I have to travel there, because he's well thought of. He's my nearest avian vet, which is lucky really, as I couldn't get a lift any further - but he is thought to be one of the best in the area. To be honest though, I was doubting him also - so I know what you're saying. He didn't even ask me about his diet and seemed surprised that I was asking certain questions and may actually know what I was talking about.

I wanted bloods done yesterday but he said I'd have to book in again, as it was a "procedure" involving an anaesthetic and he wasn't able to do it in consultation time. So, I have to go back in a week for him to see how he is, after the antibiotics. Then I have to go back again for the bloods and x ray. I'm thinking I'll just book in next week for blood tests anyway, as taking him back just to see how he is seems a bit pointless and a lot of needless hassle. I have to beg a lift from someone, as I don't drive and also get someone to babysit my dog, as she has dementia - so I need each appointment to count.

Thank you for your good wishes. x

Kiwibird said:

I also think you need to take him for a second opinion. If his fecal came back negative for infection, there was no need to put him on an antibiotic before blood was drawn and tested. I would be looking to get him in to (preferably) a avian-specialized or at least an exotics vet with avian experience ASAP for PROPER testing an treatment AFTER diagnosis.

In regards to yogurt, yet it is perfectly fine in small amounts in otherwise healthy birds after a course of antibiotics. Seeing as you are unsure what is wrong with your bird at this point, I would not advise giving him yogurt unless you get the ok from the vet AFTER the source of the polyuria is discovered. As parrots are not mammals they of course do not naturally consume dairy products. While most can handle a little dairy with no ill effect, I have no idea if dairy would be dangerous to give to a bird with suspected kidney problems or other unknown issue.

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He is a specialised avian vet and considered to be a good one - but I do agree with you that is seems kind of backwards to give the antibiotics before the blood tests. I explained to RavensGryf why he said this. It just seems a bit pointless to me, to give the antibiotics if his fecal tests came back ok. I'm glad others agree.

Thank you for your thoughts about the yoghurt. I was just worried about the antibiotics upsetting his tummy. He has had natural yoghurt before, occasionally but I've never tried a probiotic one before. I think you're right and that I may hold off until he has the blood tests.

YIKES I honestly see so many red flags about this vet!!
Anesthetic for a simple ROUTINE blood draw?! Excuse me??!!! Also the giving antibiotics despite a normal fecal test? The having him come in just to ask how he's doing? I'm sorry, but he's just taking your money and guessing

Good luck finding a ride to a competent avian vet!

RavensGryf said:

YIKES I honestly see so many red flags about this vet!!
Anesthetic for a simple ROUTINE blood draw?! Excuse me??!!! Also the giving antibiotics despite a normal fecal test? The having him come in just to ask how he's doing? I'm sorry, but he's just taking your money and guessing

Good luck finding a ride to a competent avian vet!

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I have wondered myself. Even when there was a different avian vet there, before this one, they always gave Ri an anaesthetic before taking his blood. It's why I'm sometimes so scared of taking him. It's horrible to see him all floppy and the anaesthetic worries the life out of me.

The thing is, because everyone says this vet is so good, I always think they know best and I'm just being neurotic. It's good to see that others have the same concerns as myself. Because of his good reputation, I just think he must know what he's doing and I'm being stupid and picky. I lost one of my dogs to another vet's incompetence last year, so I'm super neurotic and probably a bit annoying how much I question them now.

Edited to add - I rang the vet just now, to check, and spoke to the receptionist and she said yes they have to have anaesthetic for blood tests and they have to stay in all day. I've never had to do that before - usually it's done within half hour, while I'm waiting in the waiting room. Maybe they've changed their policy. I said he'd be stressed if I leave him, as he's with me 24/7 (literally) and she said he'd be fine and I have to drop him in the morning and pick him up in the afternoon. So it's even worse than I thought. :/

Hm, I can't see why they need to routinely anesthetize the patient for blood. That is just unheard of. I wouldn't think that would be any different no matter where you live. Good reputation or not, please seek a different vet. Keep us posted, good luck!

Thank you - I think I'm going to ask around, as it doesn't sound right to me either.

That's really interesting.... my avian vet says she won't put a bird under unless she absolutely HAS to - as in the bird is struggling so much that it becomes a danger to their lives. When I went to get Avery's beak trimmed, she told me that she would put her under for as little as possible so that she wouldn't be endangering her life and explained to me why anaesthetic is dangerous for birds, and recommended I did it at a later time when she really needed it. I guess different avian vets all have different perspectives, but I'd be very, very clear on what your expectations are and demand clear explanations from them.

Thanks - I agree.
I was trying to point all that out yesterday to him but he was the kind of "I'm qualified, so I know better" type of vet - and I felt a bit stupid. I think he was getting tired of my questions. But I need to pluck up courage and be more assertive, I think.

I agree, it can be stressful to be the "difficult" client, but when it comes to health sometimes you just have to. I know I've been a stubborn and difficult client when it comes to Avery... in fact, when I was going to buy her I grilled the pet shop employee and basically told them they need to learn more about birds before selling them to strangers. When you ask someone if you can fry some eggs with the bird nearby or on your shoulder and they say, "oh, it's fine!", you know it's time to wake up and smell the roses.

Good luck with this, and in hope a proper diagnosis with the right treatment becomes available soon. If I were in your position, I would personally be bringing physical copies of research articles and avian vet protocols to review with the vet and have them make their case in front of me to say why they disagree or agree. I'm generally quite understanding and kind, but when it comes to my bird's health, I'm a definite mule, haha!

It's hard, isn't it, when you think they must know best.

That's the mistake I made last year with my dog. I argued so much with the vet, that she brought another in, to convince me they were right. So, I gave in to their "better judgement". My dog died the following day (had to have emergency euthanasia) because of their judgement.

So now I question everything but I never know if I'm just being too wary, or neurotic. Like the last vet - I'm now being treated with a bit of eye rolling, because I'm questioning everything - and I guess they're used to most people blindly trusting them.