Hi I'm new to the forum and looking for thoughts and/or suggestions. My 37 year old OWA has something going on. About 9 days ago (on a Sunday) he start acting differently -- sleeping a lot more, eating much less and being less vocal. Luckily we were able to get into our vet on Monday (curbside drop off because of Covid) but the vet calls at the beginning and end of exam. Well Ziggy has some sort of yeast type infection. He was given Baytril Suspension with Nystatin added he is to take it for 14 days 2x a day. He also had his blood work done to be safe. His Bile Acid # came back high 87.4 but nothing else jumped out at the vet as being too high. He still was only eating very little (for 2 days)and was losing weight -- so I start giving him babyfood greenbeans and applesauce by syringe 2x a day when he was taking his medicine. His weight went back up (after 2 days) and he is now eating better but differently -- only soft foods -- blueberries, pomograntes, greenbeans, scrambled egg and shelled pistachios broke in half. But he is constantly rubbing his beak and chewing on ropes and his seagrass mat just to name a few but obsessively as if something is bothering him. It is now a week - I see some improvement but not much. We have a follow-up after the medicine so in a week. Open to hear all thoughts and things to look for if anyone went through this. (He has never been sick before and goes to the vet yearly for his annual check-up) Thanks

Welcome to you and your unwell OWA. Thanks for joining, hopefully better days ahead!!

Baytril is a broad spectrum antibiotic and often administered pending complete lab results. Depending on organism, vet may alter prescription to better target.

Is the chewing of ropes new behavior, has it become obsessive? The potential for ingesting fibers cannot be overlooked, and in extreme cases can line the digestive system with extremely harmful effects. May be worth discussing with the vet?

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have they done blood work or actual testing? That would be where I would start at that age-- an x-ray and blood work (assuming your bird has been with you many years)

It is truly great that your Vet did a blood test and that you have been doing that yearly in the past as your Vet has a clearer picture of your Amazon's Past and Current conditions.

May want to try shifting to a warm baby Parrot formula.

Your thinking of getting your OWA into the Vet is spot-on.

Target weight first thing in the morning prior to feeding and after that large morning poop. Keep a daily journal of the weight, you will see that it is commonly a leading indicator.

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In each Morning's early light; there is a promise, an Amazon makes!

Thank you - yes the chewing is a new behaviour and I have been having similar thoughts. I will discuss with the vet during our follow-up. He wanted to start with the medicine before moving to possible x-ray or ultrasound. (I am a little worried about the possible x-ray because of the anesthesia)

Thank you. Yes blood work was done and the only number that jumped out at the vet was a high Bile Acids #. My vet wants to see how the medication goes as the first part of treatment before moving to an x-ray or ultrasound. (Yes Ziggy is about 37 and has been with us the whole time - we are his first and forever family)

Thank you Sailboat. I have been thinking about the baby formula. I also always look at the poop which has been a little less (probably because less food) with a cloudy white urite (I'm guessing because of the medicine and/or infection) I have been trying to weigh more often as I know it is one of the best indicators - unfortunately and all on me even though Ziggy has been with us for 37 years he does not enjoy handling and I have allowed him to be happy in his own way and with that am aggravated with myself for not teaching him behaviours that would be very helpful now

The Avian Medical Professionals have been moving to activity using anesthesia for Parrots. There are a number of causes that are driving this change, lawsuits filed by Parrot owners's who's Parrots had past as a result of stress handling is the largest. And, the Clinics Insurance Companies refusing coverage if the Vet chooses not to use anesthesia is the other. In addition, the Vet Schools and Associations are also teaching the use of anesthesia. For the Avian Vet it is a catch 22 as they are caught between a rock and a hard place.

Have and open an honest discussion with your Avian Professional regarding the use of anesthesia.

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In each Morning's early light; there is a promise, an Amazon makes!

warmth is very important to help them heal abd save calories. 80-85 f , there are perch heaters, and different things available. I use the sweeter heater, availableon Amazon.

If his primary thing is a yeast imbalance tge baytril will make things worse. I personally don't like vets that throw baytril at a burd without a reason. Imho baytril isn't even a great choice if bacteria infection is suspected.

I have had a lot if luck and improvements with feeding small amounts of Greek yogurt with live culture and no artificial sweetners. 1/4 -1/2 tablespoon every other day when having an issue, maybe once a month otherwise.

Sinus pain can cause them to want to eat soft foods. I have sick birds right now. Feeding baby bird formula has been huge help. You have to play with consistency and warmth. Mine like thick like greek yogurt thickness. My girl with sinus draining i had to feed every 2 hours or so during the day for 10 days!@ one sick girl. Adult's burds crops don't expand like a baby burd. Smaller and frequently Feeding are better. Wuth my ones that were still eating I only did once or twice a day. If once I did before bedtime, really helped them overnight. Sick burds burn 2 times the calories they normally do. My best guess is yours can take 15 ml or a little more at a time, but first time offer about 7ml .

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"A Smooth Sea,
Never Made A Skillfull Sailor "
Franklin Roosevelt

sorry if that blood work was in the original post-- I must have been out to lunch when I missed it lol (hoping it was an edit, but this old gal aint what she used to be)ha!