What he told me he did was take a sample and look at it on a slide, not sure what other kind of testing was done. I would like to find a better vet for him to go to, being able to have an open line of communication would be beneficial for a lot of reasons. It's just a little difficult with the area I live in as there really aren't a lot of good options near me this is the second one I've been to and one doctor there is really kind and has been multiple of my guys but the one that saw Java wasn't nearly as helpful. I do always make a point to ask what was done and what it all means etc, this last vet visit was no different, he just didn't offer much insight or explain it very well.

First, your forum decorum is excellent, no worries! Quite often we are collectively presented with a problem and at some point the member stops updating. Or worse, a dire emergency and zero feedback.

A vet ought take the time to fully answer questions either verbally or in writing. I'd encourage you to prepare questions in advance - often the day of visit we become distracted or the vet is just too pushed for time. Most vets score an A+ in "Billing 101" and have no problem fully charging for services rendered. Java's case may be on the fence requiring antibiotics, so you need guidance if presented with a choice.

Java may become bored with baby food, so have a backup or two. Most of my birds love plain cooked oatmeal at room temperature, a perfect conduit for meds. You'll want to mix with smallest possible amount of cereal to ensure full dose. Others report a piece of bread or yam/sweet potato infused with the meds is acceptable.

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Yep bread worked for me when I had to give meds.

If they looked on a slide they did a gram stain, its the only way to tell.

I hope your baby us feeling well. If you start the meds, finish them. As starting and stopping isn't good. For sure its tricky getting them to take them! So great job in finding anything that works

Sometimes diet csn cause a switch in bacteria . I can't remember tour bird diet.
Did your bird take the yogurt?

Thanks for the update. Can't wait for the happy all clear,

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" A Smooth Sea,
Never Made A Skillfull Sailor "
Franklin B. Roosevelt
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Awesome recommendations for the other ways to give meds, I'll be sure to try them that way he doesn't suspect anything lol. Also thank you for clarifying the gram-stain thing. We're definitely gonna finish them, we give animals meds at my work and I've seen how bad it is for them to start and stop Java is on fruit blend zupreem with mix of the pure fun zupreem as his main diet he also gets lots of fresh and frozen fruits to try as well as a variety of treats and things. I offer him seeds and fresh and frozen veggies but he never likes them enough to keep eating them ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I wasn't able to get to the store to pick up the yogurt until yesterday and I was so excited to try the baby food with him so that ended up being our test for the night. We're gonna try the yogurt today and I'll update yall on how it goes!

ok, all the fruits and sugars in his diet are likely the problem. This is a high sugar diet and that causes bacteria overgrowth, and a shift in the make up of the flora.

You've gotta get more veggies in. You can offer cooked butternut squash, warm up some veggies like carrots, green besns, corn, peas, ect and mince and to fresh vooked rice or pasta. Thus warm mix is often eaten!! And its a great start.

Gotta run, sorry

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" A Smooth Sea,
Never Made A Skillfull Sailor "
Franklin B. Roosevelt
[

sorry for not updating for so long, had a lot of work stuff and bird stuff going on at once and I got a little overwhelmed. Good news is Java is now done with his meds and seems to be doing better on the sneezing front. He's been very energetic and is playing a lot so I'm really happy with how his antibiotic course went as far as the veggies and fruits thing goes i totally didn't realize it was too much fruit so that has changed! the vets I've talked to about my birds always said that feeding as much fruit as i had been was good and helpful as long as it didnt make up more than about 40% of their diets. As far as veggies goes I've been trying to offer more in different forms and stuff as of late, we're still on a struggle bus with that one though :/ but all we can do is try. The only negative that's come of this has been Java has developed a bit of trust issues bc he hated taking his meds so much hes already doing better now that hes been off them for for a few days though so hopefully he'll get cuddly again soon lol. thanks for all the advice! i was always super scared to join the forum and to post but yall have made me feel a lot better <3

Awesome update! I'm sure Java will quickly forget the forced "antibiotic bombs" necessary for his well being.

Some great advice and tips in the Parrot Food, Recipes, and Diet Forum. Two helpful stickies: Converting Parrots to a Healthier Diet - Tips
Bird Safe Fresh Foods & Toxic Food Lists + Sprouts

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Wean him off the zupreem fruit blend slowly because it's still better than nothing...It's kind of like the "Lucky Charms" vs "Grape Nuts" lol (only more nutritious to an extent). They aren't the awful, they just aren't the best, but I don't think I would consider them harmful (sure, some added sugar and color...but if your bird will eat it and won't eat the others, you shouldn't cut him off-- try to transition slowly).

Pure Fun is worse (in my opinion) because it has so much fruit etc in it. Just my opinion though.