Page 1 of 1

when to return to flock?

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 4:24 pm
by 6finchfriends
My sick Society boy is on his last day of broad-spectrum antibiotic. It seems I am lucky enough to have caught him in time. \:D/ His breathing is normal, he's eating very well, and flying like crazy. He's also constantly cheeping for his flock. How long must I keep him in quarantine? I guess I'm just anxious to return him to his family.

Re: when to return to flock?

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 4:43 pm
by ac12
You don't say what he was being treated for.
I would keep him separated for a few more days to verify that what you were treating him for has been cured.

Re: when to return to flock?

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 4:51 pm
by monotwine
If you have a probiotic to give him then you can continue with that. If he was in for Air sac mites / upper respiratory I would keep him in for another 5 days just to monitor him and let him get his strength back up. After that time if he still looks and acts normal you could probably put him back.

Re: when to return to flock?

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 6:52 pm
by 6finchfriends
Thanks for the reply. I don't exactly know what it was because we don't have an avian vet. close and since he was so sick I didn't want to transport him to the next town and then have him stress out and die. He had labored breathing. I don't think he had air sack mites since the antibiotic cleared it, whatever 'it' was, up so quickly. None of his flockmates has shown any signs of illness. #-o I will keep him in the hosp. cage another week and give him electrolyte supplement to help build him back up.

Re: when to return to flock?

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 6:56 pm
by 6finchfriends
Can I give him a little yogurt or are there special probiotics for birds?

Re: when to return to flock?

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 7:14 pm
by lovemyfinch
Morning bird sells a special probiotic, I swear by it. :D

Re: when to return to flock?

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 12:09 am
by 6finchfriends
Thanks! I'll get some asap.

Re: when to return to flock?

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 3:24 am
by monotwine
Yip rather get a probiotic made for birds. I don't think dairy is good for them at all.

I had similar symptoms in my flock recently and thankfully I do have a vet close by. Turns out I had a bacterial infection - though my birds also has puffy eyes. The antibiotic cleared it all up, bar my oldest Zebra hen who is still suffering a bit. I just had to give her a second course of meds and she seems alright now.

Without knowing the cause of his illness, I would still suggest to keep your society in a seperate cage just to make sure he is doing 100% before introducing him back to the cage mates.
It's terrible watching them call to each other etc but fight the urge to put him back early. It will be for all their benefits to wait the little while. I've learnt that the hard way. I'm too soft and pay the price later.