At home remedies

[kme3388]

Has anyone tried any of these at home remedies for their parrots? What has the experience been? I have used the fauna flora. I’m not exactly sure what that did for my Ekkie to be honest.

I got this flyer in the mail with my order. I’ve debated buying a few things to put in my parrot emergency kit. I have 4 parrots the emergency kit is needed (I’ve been working on building it up). Not to mention my macaw bit a vet, and she bailed. I understand why someone wouldn’t want to be bit by a macaw. That bite looked bad, and it wouldn’t surprise me if she had to get stitches. Needless to say I need to be prepared, and be knowledgeable as possible about parrots as at times I’m going to be on my own.

 

[LaManuka]

Definitely have tried apple cider vinegar. Poor old Fang had an issue with polyuria that his vet could not pin down to any cause in particular, but adding ACV to his water for three days fixed it right up, and I continue to do it every few months now with the whole flock to keep their gut microbiome healthy. Important to use a brand like "Braggs" that contains the mother culture

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I worry that someone who has a bird with a serious infection requiring antibiotics may use the Booster to treat the infection instead of seeing an avian vet. I can see using it to maintain a healthy gut biome but I wouldn't rely on ot to eradicate an active infection.
I read some about the ingredient in the Booster (monolaurin) and it not studied in vivo (systemically through the blood) against the listed organisms. Rather, it's been studied in vitro (in test tube or outside a living body) and may be useful as an antimicrobial within the animals gut. Absorption into the bloodstream after oral doing is good but it's antimicrobial activity systemically isn't really known. It's thought to be useful to reduce reliance on antibiotics in animal feed including chicken feed.

 

[Jcas]

That all looks pretty good! I have no avian vets closer than about a three or four hour drive to me so I definitely understand and agree with the need to “ be your own vet” sometimes. I use apple cider vinegar for my chickens as a basic immune booster from time to time; agree with above that it should be organic, unfiltered with the mother! My budgies used to chew on my aloe plants and aloe Vera is another safe option for gut stuff ( I drink it myself!). Not sure what’s in the flora and fauna but I assume it’s types of probiotics. I’ve successfully used kefir ( which is full of probiotics) to treat sour crop in budgies and chickens. The monolaurin in the Booster is coconut derived and has some interesting research behind it. I Agree with DonnaBudgie that it probably wouldn’t be sufficient against a raging infection but for something mild or persistent, it could be quite useful. Personally, I have had several scenarios with different species of animals where modern medicine didn’t help them but herbal remedies cured them. Crazy but true. Always be wise with natural stuff but it can sometimes be safer and more effective than medicine. Best of luck with all of your feathered friends’ health and happiness

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I admit that I'm more than a bit biased in favor of proven medicine over supplements because of my education and prior careers but I like to be informed of both.

Monolaurin has promise as an antimicrobial but the way drug companies do research none will likely be done to "prove" its systemic effectiveness and establish standardized dosing to actually treat illnesses. This is very typical of supplements.
The only research that's been done to prove antibacterial effect is topical in mouthwashes and topically intra vaginally. No systemic studies have been done so no data exists. Monolaurin is used as a food emulsifier and in manufacturing of cosmetics and a preservative due to its known antimicrobial effect.

None of this proves that it does not work. But science assumes something does not work until controlled studies prove that it does work. It may work. The words "may" and "might" are all over claims from the supplement companies that promote supplements.

WebMD says despite no proof it works, its probably safe unless of course you're relying on it to something lifesaving, in which case you should probably use something proven from, you guessed it, a medical (or veterinary if you're a critter) doctor! Personally, knowing how fragile birds can be and how quickly they can die from infection, I would see an avian vet. If there is no vet available I guess you have to make fo with what you have. Maybe people who don't have good avian vet care available should have a parrot strength antibiotic on hand to self treat if necessary, like Baytril. It's also used in other animals so nonavian vets can provide it. Using something like Monolaurin along with Baytril is a possible use.

I read recently of a 20 something woman in the UK who had colon cancer. Very young for colon cancer. She and her mother rejected medical treatments and she got something like 5 coffee enemas day until she died from the cancer. What a waste.