What meds to have on hand?

[FancyFinch]

I was wondering what meds would be wise to have on hand? Just in case I need something?

[finchmix22]

I keep Ronex 12%, Cocci-Care, Scatt/Iverlux, Worm Away and Thrive. I give a routine treatment of the Coccicare three times a year, the rest as part of my quarantine for new birds, no matter where they come from as many people don't treat preventatively and that way I know all my finches have had one round of the treatments, in case they're a carrier or were exposed to something. Since I've done this, no sick finches!!

[FancyFinch]

Thanks. Now, where do I find this stuff? Is it available at Petsmart or eBay?

[nixity]

PetSmart doesn't carry any of this stuff - you would need to find a bird related website that offers products like Morning Bird, Vetafarm, MedPet, etc.

There are quite a few (mine being one), but you might want to check out multiple sites to see which can offer you the best in terms of shipping rates.

I don't personally think Cocci-Care is beneficial to keep on hand unless you're keeping an outdoor flock where maintenance of an endemic infection is a concern.
Cocci-Care does not "treat" for Coccidiosis, it merely puts the pathogens into a state of suspended animation for the duration of treatment, once you stop treating, the organisms have the possibility of multiplying again in the birds.

I agree with the Ronex, Scatt/Iverlux and Worm Away as well as Thrive which works especially well if you ever have fledglings that appear to be going light.
In lieu of Cocci-Care I would recommend a good broad spectrum antibiotic as well as an anti-fungal - my personal choice being Spectovet (antibiotic) and Medistatin (anti-fungal). The only place I know of where you can purchase Spectovet though is Bird Supply of NH, they also carry SCATT and Medistatin though so you could at least combine those three.

If you want something that would actually treat coccidiosis then my recommendation is Baycox which is available through Siegel's Pigeon Supply (you have to call them to order it, I don't believe it is listed on their online catalog).

[FancyFinch]

Thank you!

[kheather]

I keep scat, iverlux, ronex and baytril on hand.

[FancyFinch]

I just purchased Worm Away and Ronex. Hopefully, I won't need any of them. What is a good all bases covered anti-biotic?

[Don]

How do you apply Worm Away? Most of my finches are outdoor in mixed aviaries. What is the best practice?

[FancyFinch]

Here is the website, hopefully I am following the correct procedure in putting the link here http://www.morningbirdproducts.com/prod ... maway.html

[finchmix22]

The morning bird products are usually administered in the water. The bottle give directions as follows: Add a 1/2 tsp per 5 fluid ounces of water. This is a one time treatment. If bird does not respond, consult your avian veterinarian.

Coccicare does not "treat" coccidiosis,but is a preventative and if your birds eat off the floor and/or drink water another bird has pooped into, then they can get exposed as it is passed through the droppings. Unlesss a person is immaculate in their cage hygeine, the birds can contract coccidiosis, indoors or outdoors. I also use Baytril or Medistatin for those birds who are actually sick, but they are expensive. The Coccicare is a "preventative" and saves money and illness in my flocks, in the long run. Everyone must make their own choice.

[FancyFinch]

Thanks for the info. Does anyone preventative treat?

[nixity]

There is really no such thing as preventive medicine unless you are constantly medicating them, which is not advisable.

Most medications will only treat an existing infection, not prevent a future one. Therefore classifying it as "preventive" is a misnomer.

Cocci-Care or Cocci-vet are a little different in that they are inhibitors, so for the duration of treatment they will put the organisms in a state of statis, but as soon as the treatment is stopped, they can easily come out of that state of frozen animation and multiply to levels that cause symptoms or shedding of the oocysts which is how the disease spreads among a flock.
But it's important to remember that it is only effective for as long as it is offered.

Scatt stays in the blood stream for up to 21 days, so it can be postulated that for those 21 days the bird is protected from (re)infection. I always perform a follow up treatment of SCATT to make sure I cover the life cycle.

Also, I use Worm Away a little differently than directed and I have never had a problem doing so.
I treat quarantined birds for 2 consecutive days, and then repeat the treatment 7-10 days later for another 2 consecutive days in order to make sure I get the whole life cycle.