Drugs

[mohum]

I am getting worried about all this talk about drugs. What should I keep in stock and how do I know when to use them. Are they preventative or just used if there are signs of illness? I live in a very damp area but my birds seem healthy at the moment.

[Stuart whiting]

mohum hi mate,

I wouldn't worry yerself to much about this , I'd have a few of the important drugs IE anti mite sprays, powders , a sulphur drug to stop birds from going light ( coxidosis ) witch hazel, scaley mite creams, multi vitamin powder and calcium supplement etc

A few drugs like this kept in a small cabinet would normally get you and yer birds out of trouble,

The list of medication and drugs can be endless,

I'm not really a believer of all of the many tonics that you see on the market, I think that a lot of em don't even really do anything, certainly not that I've ever really noticed,

A lot of people especially from the states swear by loads of drugs and tonics for there birds but this is definitely not for me as I feel that certain birds can become reliant on the drugs and to me that is not good,

The way that I look at it is that the birds can't have much of an immune system if they have to solely rely on drugs,

As I say that I use drugs if it's really necessary but don't use just for the sake of it thinking that birds need tonics etc to be boosted up,

Correct housing conditions, cleanliness and a proper quality diet quite often supersedes the use of drugs

[haroun]

Stuart whiting graet man'

[Sally]

Agree with Stuart, a good diet and clean environment can go a long way. Antibiotics should not be used unless you know what you are treating, as the wrong antibiotic can make things worse instead of better. Using antibiotics indiscriminately also leads to antibiotic resistance, so then when the bird really needs it, it doesn't work.

[Stuart whiting]

Sally absolutely agree 100 %

[mohum]

So I'm still confused what to stock and when to use it. Are mites obvious and should I be using powder just in case.
Sorry, I mis-read your post Stuart. Do I have to buy all those items or shall I just get them as needed.

[Stuart whiting]

mohum basically I think if you've just got a couple or three birds for example I'd say just buy as you need,

However if you start to purchase and keep a variety of birds and keep em in avaires or a birdroom etc I'd then say it would be advisable to have the majority of these items kept in a small cupboard in yer birdroom,

Incidentally any liquid medicines can deteriorate if left in sunlight, this is why dark bottles are normally used but still keep all of yer medication in the cupboard / cabinet

[lem2bert]

I have wondered the same thing Mohum, I have 4 canaries , all in separate flight cages, 2 in one room and 2 in another. I like the response from Sally and Stuart. I will just keep cleaning and feeding a balanced diet and hope for the best. Thanks for the info everyone !!

[cindy]

I keep Tri Sulfa, Ronivet S 12% or Ronex 12%, Scatt and or Ivermectin 1%, dewromer (seldom need this once the birds are out of quarantine since I have the birds indoors). Baycox or Endocox. I also keep AIL Avian Insect Liquidator. Enrotex (Morning birds generic baytril) and Nystatin

Medications are give based on symptoms, droppings, belly appearance. Do not give random antibiotics or meds without knowing what you are treating and why...giving the wrong meds can literally make things worse.

Preventatives are done in quarantine.

[Stuart whiting]

cindy

Absolutely agree 100 %, well said