Conference 7.286::pet_birds

    re.0
    
    Ihave had very good results using the Oracyn plus as several times
    after aquiring new budgies they had respitory infections that
    I had caught in the early stages.  after a few days if the O-plus they
    were chirping and playing and breathing well.
    
    Fay
    

    I second it!  When I got my Moluccan Cockatoo home from the west coast,
    she came down with a bit of a congestion and runny nose.  I decided
    since it didn't look too alarming, I would try the Oracyn-plus.  It
    worked very well.  I kept her on it for 5 days (I believe that is what
    the directions called for). and even though her symptoms cleared within
    two days, she stayed on it for the duration.  She has been fine ever
    since with no reoccurances.
    
    Best of luck!
    
    Sounds like they're on the road to recovery.  I think you made the
    right choice
    
    Keep us updated.
    
    Denise B.

    Well,
    
    Looks like Tweety has done fine on the medication but Ruffles is not
    doing well.  I called the vet today and she suggested that I try
    Keet-Life food which has tetracycline (sp) in it for 30 days.  The
    grain store is going to order it for me but it will be a few days
    before its in.  In the meantime I will buy some Ornacycline for
    Ruffles' drinking water.
    
    Poor baby, I'm so worried.  Her breathing is somewhat labored and her
    little tail is bobbing.  She also is stretching her neck out and
    opening her mouth while making a little sqeak noise.  I do hope this
    new medication works.
    
    Jeanne
    

    Well, Tweety and Ruffles went to the vet this morning.  Ruffles'
    breathing hadn't improved so it was time.   The vet gave me a new
    medication to be administered twice a day and he said I should see
    improvement as early as tomorrow.  He also medicated Ruffles for Canary
    mites by rubbing medicine on her chest that will absorb through her
    skin and into her lungs.  He wasn't sure about the mites, but thought
    it better to be safe rather than sorry.
    
    He also wants us to set up a light bulb (blue) at one corner of the
    cage and keep the cage covered with a blanket as to keep the
    temperature around 85 degrees.  My husband is home doing that right
    now.
    
    I feel so much better for having taken them in.  A little poorer but a
    whole lot better!
    
    
    Jeanne
    

    Jeanne,
    
    Sigh, sometimes we do not know what we're getting into, the unexpected
    could happen anytime.  You have done great with these birds who depend
    upon you for everything now, especially Ruffles.  Poor little guy. 
    Keep us posted as to his improvement.
    
    ~peg  

    Hi Jeanne,
    
    I just watched -- again -- the Steve Martin bird training tape and 
    remembering his advise that no one working in a pet store who is
    not a vet should recommend medication for an animal.  The other 
    noters who had success with Ornacyn were lucky, in my opinion,
    and that's great, but I would think twice or three times about
    following the advice of someone who sold you a sick bird (you said
    you assumed others in the store cage were likely ill as well, and
    I am inclined to agree with your hunch...pet stores, even real good
    ones, cannot effectively monitor all their animals all the time, like
    we can with our pets, so the sick ones often go unnoticed until it
    is too late).  I think a possible lesson to be learned here
    is that you did what seemed right at first, then kept a close eye
    and took progressively serious steps to get your birds the help
    they needed.  My hat is off to you on your conscientious bird 
    ownership.  I hope the little ones respond well to the new medicine.
    Let us know how they are doing.
    
    Best wishes,
    
    Linda  

    Well, my two little ones are on Baytrol (sp).  I need to get more of it
    today as I've wasted quite a bit.  I'm just now getting the "one drop in
     the mouth" technique down pat.  Poor guys, they will certainly hate me
    after all this.  I hope that I can gain their trust after all of this
    is over.
    
    Tweety is doing well, but Ruffles is still breathing heavily although
    he has shown some improvement.  He no longer stretches his neck along
    with the clicking sounds and his tail is not bobbing quite as much.  I
    called the vet today and he wants me to continue with the medication
    until next Thursday.  He will re-evaluate the situation then.
    
    I'm very happy about this vet.  He "called me" yesterday to see how
    Ruffles was doing.  I've also learned that he is the best avian vet in
    town and he also takes care of the animals at the Tucson zoo.  
    
    Hopefully, Ruffles will show marked improvement by Monday.  I'll keep
    you posted!
    
    Jeanne
    
    P.S.  re .6  I've learned a big lesson from this.  I will NEVER buy
    another bird from a pet shop.  I'll stick with small, clean, caring
    breeders.  
    

    Hi,
    
    Batril (sp??) has worked well on some our smaller birds, when the
    milder Chloro...(something) didn't do the job.  Both have to be 
    gotten from the vet.  I'll keep up the strong thoughts that your
    birds, especially Ruffles, makes it.  If attitude and environment
    count, they are in the best of care and should respond over time.
    If not, remember that you may have entered their lives too late,
    as cold as this may sound, and you did everything you could to help
    them.
    
    Linda

    re .8
    
    Oh my, Linda!  Your response is both encouraging and discouraging.  I
    must admit that I'm having doubts about Ruffles.  He seemed better
    yesterday but now seems a little worse today.  Dr. Miller is off on
    Mondays but I will talk to him tomorrow morning.
    
    He seems better from a standpoint of preening himself and also spending
    more time away from the heat (light bulb) but then again, he is still
    breathing hard (lots of tail bobbing) and seems generally quite
    lifeless other than the times when I need to remove him from his cage
    to give him the medication.
    
    I'm going to read about "nebulization" in one of the bird talk
    magazines (what a dummy, I just remembered it today).  Maybe this would
    be in order for Ruffles?  I will ask Dr. Miller tomorrow.
    
    I'm so attached to this bird already.  He just can't die!  Thank you
    all for the thoughts and well wishes.
    
    
    Jeanne
    
    

    Called the vet today and he wants me to give Ruffles and Tweety
    prednisone twice a day along with the baytrol.  Also wants me to run
    the humidifier for two hours in the morning and two hours in the
    evening.   If this doesn't work, Ex-Rays will be in order.  I've got
    all my fingers and toes crossed!
    
    
    Jeanne
    

    Update on Ruffles!
    
    Well, Ruffles is still breathing heavily BUT not as heavily as before
    he started on the prednilosone.  He is also more lively, eating,
    drinking, and preening more than before.  He's even started to chirp
    now and then!  
    
    The vet is still concerned and thinks we may need an x-ray.  I feel
    very aprehensive about this as I don't want to stress him with another
    trip to the vet and loose the progress that we've worked so hard to get
    over the past 2 weeks.
    
    I just don't know what more to do for the little guy.  I really need to
    evaluate the benefits of an x-ray against the possible stress of the
    entire ordeal.  
    
    The vets concerns is that there is more wrong with Ruffles than an
    infection.  He may have a blockage or some kind of lung damage that is
    untreatable.  If this is the case, I will have a difficult decision to
    make. 
    
    Let's hope the weekend brings about a small miracle!
    
    
    Jeanne
    
        

    Hi Jeanne,
    
    My thoughts (and I'm sure that of many others here) are with you.
    Please keep writing, even though I'm sure it is not easy for you.
    The decision about go or not-to-go to the vet is a tricky one,
    especially for a small bird, especially when there will be x-rays.
    But it sounds like your vet is very thorough and has taken the
    conservative approach in treatment so far and this is all that is
    left if the problem continues.  I have seen the humidifier work
    wonders on small birds with respiratory problems, even in the
    summer when it is generally humid anyway.  Be sure the humidifier
    is cleaned out with every use and I assume you are using the
    bacteriostatic hot air type, not the ultrasonic or cold air type?
    
    Best hopes being sent your direction for Ruffles....
    
    Linda

    Well, Ruffles took a turn for the worse on Tuesday morning.  I called
    the vet and he suggested that Ruffles come in for injections. 
    Unfortunately even with injections, Dr. Miller felt he only had a 1 in
    6 chance of making it through this.  By the time I rushed Ruffles over
    to the vet, he looked just awful.  He was on the bottom of his cage,
    all fluffed and eyes closed.  He had developed loose/bloody droppings. 
    At this point, I couldn't bear to see him go on.  Dr. Miller agreed and
    Ruffles was put to sleep.
    
    Dr. Miller sent him to the University for an autopsy.  Rusults should
    be in soon.  If Ruffles died from something contageous (and obviously
    fatal) I have more pain to go through.  I hope Rosie and Sunny have not
    caught anything and I am almost certain that whatever Ruffles had, his
    mate, Tweety must also have.  I cannot go through this again with
    Tweety.  My emotions and nerves are just shot and I am filled with
    anger towards the people who obviously took very poor care of Ruffles
    and Tweety before I got them.  
    
    I will give the store manager (where I purchased Ruffles and Tweety) a
    copy of the autopsy report.  I'm sure he didn't purposely set me up for
    this situation but I feel he should be responsible to choose his
    vendors more carefully so this doesn't happen again.  I'm angry with
    myself for buying from a pet shop.  I will NEVER do that again!!!!! 
    Whether I'm buying an $8.00 bird or an $800.00 bird, I will seek out
    responsible breeders, inspect their facilities, take up their time and
    bore them with questions.  If I don't feel 100% sure, then no deal.  
    
    I don't know what to do about Tweety.  She is acting very healthy,
    eating, preening, talking/chirping, playing on her swing, etc.  She
    also looks good.  Bright eyes, sleek feathers, awake.  The only problem
    is I still think her tail is bobbing slightly.  John (my husband)
    thinks that I am being paranoid at this point.  The vet told me to take
    her off of all medication.  Apparently, long term use of antibiotics
    can  destroy a birds digestive system which is as deadly as a
    resperatory problem.  I am considering returning Tweety to the store if
    her tail bobs more than it is presently and particularty if Ruffles'
    autopsy comes in as his having a contageous illness.  I don't know what
    will be worse.  Living with the guilt of returning Tweety or living
    with the emotional/financial burden of loosing another bird.   I'm so
    confuesd at this point.  
    
    Sorry this note was so long and thank you for listening to everything
    and for your support.
    
    Jeanne
    

    Jeanne,
    
    My heart goes out to you! I'm sure wherever Ruffles is
    in birdie heaven, he's flying free and atpeace...
    
    hugs
    
    pat

    
    Jeanne,
    
    	I had been following your progress and am so sorry about
    	Ruffles. Please keep us posted as to the health of Tweety.
    	Know that we all feel for you!!
    
    		Dora

    I am so sorry that you lost Ruffles. I find it hard
    to go into pet stores because I usualy can find 4 or 
    more birds that need Vet care. I wish you luck with Tweety
    I have a nest box in with my budgies this will be my
    first time, but if blue and lady do what they are suposed to
    I will let you have one of their's.
    
    Donna (from California)

    I'm sorry too.  I remember when I was in high school I left our
    parakeet Suzie in the window and the next door neighbors cat jumped
    onto the screen and gave it a heartattack.  I still haven't forgiven
    myself for it (it was my grandfather's bird and he was dying of
    leukemia and was in the hospital during this ordeal.  We bought
    a lookalike and luckily my grandfather never noticed).  I know how
    bad it feel to lose a little one.  Price doesn't matter it's the
    place in the family and heart the little one takes that matters.
    
    How is Tweety doing?  Please update us.
    
    Lisa

    Hello Jeanne,
    
    I am so sad that Ruffles didn't make it.  I can identify with your
    dilemma about Tweetie.  I hope the autopsy report indicates that
    Ruffles's problem was specific to him so you can keep Tweetie.
    
    If you can, let us know how things turn out.
    
    My best thoughts being sent in your direction....
    
    Linda C.
    

    Thank you all for your caring.  I do appreciate it.  I have some news
    but the story isn't over yet.
    
    First, the autopsy showed that Ruffles died from Kidney failure and
    that the pneumonia was secondary.  He had no airborne resperatory
    illness that could be transferred to the other birds.  As far as why
    his kidney failed, we just don't know for sure.
    
    Second, and the most disturbing news is that Ruffles has some type of
    disease (scoliosis) (sp) I think, which is contageous to both other
    birds as well as to humans.  There is also NO CURE.  I brought a sample
    of Tweety's stool into the vet, which will be sent to the University of
    Arizona for analysis.  I should know the results by Thursday.  I'm sure
    this is bad stuff because my vet didn't really want to say too much when
    I asked questions.  He just said "lets take this one step at a time
    and we can make decisions as we find out more info".  He also said to
    be real careful about handling Tweety (wash hands well, etc...) and of
    course no exposure to my other birds.
    
    I'll be so happy when this is over.
    
    Jeanne
      

    
    I just can't believe all you have gone through...I can't imagine going
    through all that myself.  I just wanted to let you know that my heart
    goes out to you and I hope that everything turns out OK for
    everyone/thing involved.
    
    Donna

    Well, finally some GOOD NEWS!  Tweety's initial test came back
    negative.  Another culture is being grown and I should have those
    results by next Wednesday.  At this point, the vet feels this will also
    be negative but we're all here with our fingers crossed just in case.
    
    Ruffles did not have Scoliosis, he had (Scripto Scaridia) (sp) which my
    vet doesn't know too much about.  Apparently, it is a fairly new
    discovery within the bird disease world.  If any one out there has
    information on this I would really appreciate your sharing it with this
    conference.  It is contageous to other aninals/humans and has no known
    cure.  
    
    Jeanne
    

    Well, more good news!  Dr. Miller called yesterday and told me that all
    of Tweety's tests came out negative, so he has given her a clean bill
    of health.  I can now introduce her to Rosie and Sunny and begin living
    a normal life again.
    
    I will be calling some local breeders and arranging visits with them. 
    I'm sure I will find one that I am happy with so that I can find Tweety
    and suitable mate/friend.  She does seem lonely as she screams and goes
    nuts when she hears the tiels.  I know she would like a friend of her
    own.  
    
    I have one more question before I purchase another budgie.  I've read
    that two adult females will fight if they are caged together.  Is this
    true?  If so, I will need to be very careful to purchase a male as the
    vet feels Tweety is a female.
    
    I want to thank all of you for your support and caring as this sorry
    story was played out.  It's nice to have you all there!
    
    
    Jeanne
    
    P.S.  Tweety started eating her veggies this weekend.  It was like a
    great awakening that she could actually eat that stuff I was putting in
    her food dish.  She is also picking at some Scenic pellets.  So, she
    not only doing great, she's eating great!