My Conure may not survive. Advice needed...

Rouya · Mar 14, 2021

Hey there guys. I am an expat in Saudi Arabia where it's very hard to come across a good vet:

I visited four before one finally diagnosed it with gangrene (the ones before failing to notice) as a result of infection due to a fight with its fellow conure. He removed the gangrene and found a small hole between the neck and chest area, cleaned it up with iodine before spraying it with anaesthesia and stitching it closed.

He has advised me to apply iodine and fusidic acid twice daily. Also to clean the cage with iodine. I will be looking for lidocaine to use as a pain killer per his advice. He hasn't mentioned anything re bandaging

He mentioned that rarely do birds survive in this condition and I was wondering if there was anything I can do to improve my conures chances of surviving?

Cardinal · Mar 14, 2021

Please don't give up. Try contacting some Avian vets through zoom or whatsapp video call. May be a simple antibiotic may save your bird. I don't know but wish your bird a speedy recovery.

Rouya · Mar 14, 2021

Cardinal said:
Please don't give up. Try contacting some Avian vets through zoom or whatsapp video call. May be a simple antibiotic may save your bird. I don't know but wish your bird a speedy recovery.

Ohh great idea - ill search for one. We are giving him ***idic acid but I think it safe to contact an Avian Vet in the UK...

SailBoat · Mar 14, 2021

Possible sources for Avian care:
- Prey Bird Vet that provides services to Hawks and alike (can difficult to get in).
- Large Animal Vet also known as Farm Vets as they also see Farm Birds
- Zoo Vets as they also see Avian clients
Also, they may supply you with names of those Vets that see Avian clients.

Bandages can be replaced, but is more like a wrap.
Take great care a suppling non-avian medications and/or topics as they can be toxic to birds.

Laurasea · Mar 14, 2021

Yes I have seen birds with wounds into the body cavity survive.

Supporting care is so important!!! Wounded sick birds need extra warmth. 80-90 f . That warmth promotes healing, saves them tons of calories!! I use the sweeter heater a radiant heat panel. Whoever has baby chicks ( chicken) will have some sort of radiant heat product. So you can check feed stores.

Supporting feeding, can also really help. He is burning 2 1/2 × his normal calories to heal and fight infection!!! . Even when they are eating great they can't keep up with the demands.
I use exact baby bird formula. A 1ml syringe or a spoon , and go slow, hopefully will like ir!!! Most of mine did. Adult burds crop dont stretch like babies. Thick like greek yogurt snd warm, play with thickness their will be a preference by your bird, but not to thick they need the moisture to help move it through their body. But too runny they won't like it. . Im. It sure the type of parrot you have? 1ml- 5ml at a time is good. 3-4 times a day .

Also offer warm foods like boiled egg, cooked mashed sweet potatoes, cooked carrots, cooked butternut squash, or pumpkin. Offer extra seeds. Millet spray, Sick ones get to eat whatever they want!!!. They need extra extra calories to heal. Tho try and push foods with vitamin A. I would feed a half teaspoon of Greek yogurt with Acidophilus culture twice a week. Will help balance gut flora. I do this. I did this with my sick burds who were on antibiotics and developed loose stool. It helped them so much!!!@ i have picture proof in my sick bird thread.

You need to have a digital kitchen scale. And weigh your bird every morning. So you were things are

Betadine is actually great wound care!!@ you might even dilute it in warm water to a very light tea color and use as a warm compress 4 times a day.

Can you share a picture of wound and bird? Snd provide information on how he is eating, what do poops lookk like?
A quick way to share a picture, is to click go advanced under the text box, then click the paperclip, choose your picture, click the little upload button on far right, when picture uploaded close window and post, picture attachment is a thumbnail under text box. There are other ways to share pictures. But this is the one I know how to explain.

https://www.littlecrittersvet.com/sick-birds.pml

Scott · Mar 14, 2021

The greatest risk may be re-infection, and to that end there are many powerful antibiotics cross-utilized between mammals and avians. Ideally, identification of the offending organism is helpful for prescribing, though there are many broad-spectrum antibiotics. You'll likely need a prescription, dosing can be orally and/or injections. If you cannot locate an avian vet by telemedicine, the vet who did initial work may assess and prescribe at their discretion.

Wishing your conure a full recovery!

Rouya · Mar 15, 2021

Thank you so much guys for your invaluable input! It turns out a friend of my mothers is a vet and has given me some sound advice. I shall also apply your advice asap!! Stitch (my conures name) is eating and drinking well but has developed very loose stool ( could be as a result of the antibiotics according to the vet) I am add anti diarrhea drops to her waterr.

My only issue right now is what kind of plaster/bandage care shall I use for the suture site? Normal plasters will irritate my conures skin and feathers upon removal. And in the event I cant find a vet pharmacy that will provide bird friendly plasters (remember guys Im in Saudi Arabia) what do you recommend???

Rouya · Mar 15, 2021

Scott said:
The greatest risk may be re-infection, and to that end there are many powerful antibiotics cross-utilized between mammals and avians. Ideally, identification of the offending organism is helpful for prescribing, though there are many broad-spectrum antibiotics. You'll likely need a prescription, dosing can be orally and/or injections. If you cannot locate an avian vet by telemedicine, the vet who did initial work may assess and prescribe at their discretion.

Wishing your conure a full recovery!

Thank you so much - according to the vet it's gangrene and I'm applying ***idic acid.

Rouya · Mar 15, 2021

Laurasea said:
Yes I have seen birds with wounds into the body cavity survive.

Supporting care is so important!!! Wounded sick birds need extra warmth. 80-90 f . That warmth promotes healing, saves them tons of calories!! I use the sweeter heater a radiant heat panel. Whoever has baby chicks ( chicken) will have some sort of radiant heat product. So you can check feed stores.

Supporting feeding, can also really help. He is burning 2 1/2 × his normal calories to heal and fight infection!!! . Even when they are eating great they can't keep up with the demands.
I use exact baby bird formula. A 1ml syringe or a spoon , and go slow, hopefully will like ir!!! Most of mine did. Adult burds crop dont stretch like babies. Thick like greek yogurt snd warm, play with thickness their will be a preference by your bird, but not to thick they need the moisture to help move it through their body. But too runny they won't like it. . Im. It sure the type of parrot you have? 1ml- 5ml at a time is good. 3-4 times a day .

Also offer warm foods like boiled egg, cooked mashed sweet potatoes, cooked carrots, cooked butternut squash, or pumpkin. Offer extra seeds. Millet spray, Sick ones get to eat whatever they want!!!. They need extra extra calories to heal. Tho try and push foods with vitamin A. I would feed a half teaspoon of Greek yogurt with Acidophilus culture twice a week. Will help balance gut flora. I do this. I did this with my sick burds who were on antibiotics and developed loose stool. It helped them so much!!!@ i have picture proof in my sick bird thread.

You need to have a digital kitchen scale. And weigh your bird every morning. So you were things are

Betadine is actually great wound care!!@ you might even dilute it in warm water to a very light tea color and use as a warm compress 4 times a day.

Can you share a picture of wound and bird? Snd provide information on how he is eating, what do poops lookk like?
A quick way to share a picture, is to click go advanced under the text box, then click the paperclip, choose your picture, click the little upload button on far right, when picture uploaded close window and post, picture attachment is a thumbnail under text box. There are other ways to share pictures. But this is the one I know how to explain.

https://www.littlecrittersvet.com/sick-birds.pml

Sound advice. And Im so grateful for your PM! I am touched. The stool is loose and I am using anti diarrhea drops. I am using Iodine which is very similar to betadine. I am just off to work so I will post a pic of the suture site tonight.

Rouya · Mar 15, 2021

SailBoat said:
Possible sources for Avian care:
- Prey Bird Vet that provides services to Hawks and alike (can difficult to get in).
- Large Animal Vet also known as Farm Vets as they also see Farm Birds
- Zoo Vets as they also see Avian clients
Also, they may supply you with names of those Vets that see Avian clients.

Bandages can be replaced, but is more like a wrap.
Take great care a suppling non-avian medications and/or topics as they can be toxic to birds.

Hey there, SailBoat. If I can't find bird friendly plasters from the vet what do you recommend I use for the suture site ( where I naturally am applying the creams and Iodine) to protect food and water affecting it? As mentioned, normal plasters may irritate the skin and feathers.

Laurasea · Mar 15, 2021

Does it need to be bandaged? Often it better left open to the air. Is he picking at it? You definitely don't want him messing with it.

Be so careful with anti diarrhea drops....be very careful. Myself the yogurt does the trick . Has to have Acidophilus, no artificial sweetners. You can feed a beak full or 2 twice a day when diarrhea. I very strongly recommend, from my experience, to give yogurt even if yiu are doing other stuff.

If you can get away with no bandage, but I haven't seen wound..., and you dont want him picking at it..
There is vet wrap , and a human product thsts the sane, a dort of clingy sticky stretchy wrap. Look at tge human first aid stuff. Be careful, not to compress breathing if you use. https://www.walmart.com/ip/6-Self-A...Elastic-Adherent-Tape-First-Aid-Kit/982216158

You need to be weighing him daily. You probably need to be providing supplemental feeding, in addition to what he eats on his own.

Rouya · Mar 15, 2021

Laurasea said:
Does it need to be bandaged? Often it better left open to the air. Is he picking at it? You definitely don't want him messing with it.

Be so careful with anti diarrhea drops....be very careful. Myself the yogurt does the trick . Has to have Acidophilus, no artificial sweetners. You can feed a beak full or 2 twice a day when diarrhea. I very strongly recommend, from my experience, to give yogurt even if yiu are doing other stuff.

If you can get away with no bandage, but I haven't seen wound..., and you dont want him picking at it..
There is vet wrap , and a human product thsts the sane, a dort of clingy sticky stretchy wrap. Look at tge human first aid stuff. Be careful, not to compress breathing if you use. https://www.walmart.com/ip/6-Self-A...Elastic-Adherent-Tape-First-Aid-Kit/982216158

You need to be weighing him daily. You probably need to be providing supplemental feeding, in addition to what he eats on his own.

The problem is the water that Stitch drinks runs down and into the sutured area. Will that not compromise the effect of the antibiotic cream ?

I will upload a pic as soon as I'm home.

25974d1615812807-my-conure-may-not-survive-advice-needed-img-20210314-wa0042.jpg

Laurasea · Mar 15, 2021

Why is water running down when he drinks? Is there a different type of smaller water dish yiu can use?

On bandage what does vet say? A bandage can also trap the wetness...and doesn't let wound breath... but sometimes bandage is needed...I can't know ..

Thanks fir pic. My eyes just can't see good right now.

You can buy a tiny spray bottle, in cosmetic section. Then you can make up dilute betadine in water and gently spritz the area. Bird skin is very fragile.

Scott · Mar 15, 2021

Rouya said:
Scott said:

The greatest risk may be re-infection, and to that end there are many powerful antibiotics cross-utilized between mammals and avians. Ideally, identification of the offending organism is helpful for prescribing, though there are many broad-spectrum antibiotics. You'll likely need a prescription, dosing can be orally and/or injections. If you cannot locate an avian vet by telemedicine, the vet who did initial work may assess and prescribe at their discretion.

Wishing your conure a full recovery!

Click to expand...

Thank you so much - according to the vet it's gangrene and I'm applying ***idic acid.

Unfortunately the forum censor is hiding name of the acid. Can you spell it leaving a space between the first few letters? My concern with gangrene is systemic infection that cannot be treated with topical antibiotics. For this reason, oral and/or injections of commonly available meds may be offered at the vet's discretion.

Rouya · Mar 15, 2021

Scott said:
Rouya said:

Scott said:

The greatest risk may be re-infection, and to that end there are many powerful antibiotics cross-utilized between mammals and avians. Ideally, identification of the offending organism is helpful for prescribing, though there are many broad-spectrum antibiotics. You'll likely need a prescription, dosing can be orally and/or injections. If you cannot locate an avian vet by telemedicine, the vet who did initial work may assess and prescribe at their discretion.

Wishing your conure a full recovery!

Click to expand...

Thank you so much - according to the vet it's gangrene and I'm applying ***idic acid.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately the forum censor is hiding name of the acid. Can you spell it leaving a space between the first few letters? My concern with gangrene is systemic infection that cannot be treated with topical antibiotics. For this reason, oral and/or injections of commonly available meds may be offered at the vet's discretion.

Hey Scott. Fusidic acid. Sorry I misspelled it. We tried oral antibiotics to no avail. Is there anything you recommend ?

Laurasea · Mar 15, 2021

Be careful. If the ointment is keeping his feathers like that. Then he can't properly insulation his body, and will loose a lot of body heat. So you need to keep him warm.

Scott · Mar 16, 2021

Rouya said:
Scott said:

Rouya said:

Thank you so much - according to the vet it's gangrene and I'm applying ***idic acid.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately the forum censor is hiding name of the acid. Can you spell it leaving a space between the first few letters? My concern with gangrene is systemic infection that cannot be treated with topical antibiotics. For this reason, oral and/or injections of commonly available meds may be offered at the vet's discretion.

Click to expand...

Hey Scott. Fusidic acid. Sorry I misspelled it. We tried oral antibiotics to no avail. Is there anything you recommend ?

Ah, thanks and no worries. Unfamiliar but Googled, appears to be an effective ointment for treatment of various bacteria. Perhaps helpful for skin injuries, but I worry about potential systemic infection carried by bloodstream. For this reason many vets prescribe oral or injected antibiotics, however it is critical to learn the type of organism present. You mentioned a course of oral antibiotics, difficult to suggest specific type. A prescription required in many areas of the world, and vets may prefer blood lab work to determine what is most effective.

Rouya · Mar 16, 2021

Scott said:
Rouya said:

Scott said:

Unfortunately the forum censor is hiding name of the acid. Can you spell it leaving a space between the first few letters? My concern with gangrene is systemic infection that cannot be treated with topical antibiotics. For this reason, oral and/or injections of commonly available meds may be offered at the vet's discretion.

Click to expand...

Hey Scott. Fusidic acid. Sorry I misspelled it. We tried oral antibiotics to no avail. Is there anything you recommend ?

Click to expand...

Ah, thanks and no worries. Unfamiliar but Googled, appears to be an effective ointment for treatment of various bacteria. Perhaps helpful for skin injuries, but I worry about potential systemic infection carried by bloodstream. For this reason many vets prescribe oral or injected antibiotics, however it is critical to learn the type of organism present. You mentioned a course of oral antibiotics, difficult to suggest specific type. A prescription required in many areas of the world, and vets may prefer blood lab work to determine what is most effective.

I echo everything you said. But bloodwork for animals is wishful thinking where I am located.

That being said, Stitch has made a slight improvement and is far more vocal. There is less pus being produced and is constantly eating and drinking.

I did attempt thick Greek yoghurt but Stitch is only eating seeds and millet spray. Thank you so much for your support and advice. You definitely have made a different to Stitch's health. I'll be keeping a keen eye on Stitch and have a vet follow up appointment this weekend. I shall keep you all informed. You guys are the salt of the earth.

Laurasea · Mar 16, 2021

I offer yogurt on finger tip,
You can touch your finger to beak tip and wait usually after they taste it they like it!! My GCC only licks from my finger tip.

So glad to hear if slight improvement!! Anything in the right direction is fantastic!

noodles123 · Mar 16, 2021

Can you give water vegetables or low sugar fruit to reduce the need to drink actual water that may drip? You still need to provide water, but drinking may be less necessary if there is water in other food sources.

My Conure may not survive. Advice needed...

Member

Member

Member

Supporting Member

Well-known member

Supporting Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Well-known member

Member

Attachments

Well-known member

Supporting Member

Member

Well-known member

Supporting Member

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Disease Testing Online?

Help! Stepped on my little one!

Similar threads