Suspected coccidiosis

[Birdy]

Enzo, my finch who was attacked by a cat a few weeks ago, passed away early this morning. He had recovered completely, but was looking fluffed yesterday. I was planning a vet visit on Monday. Now two of my zebras are going light, and the others aren't looking great. Except for one bird - Erasmus - all are under a year old.

We don't have an avian vet, so our vet tends to rely heavily on what I suggest since I've kept birds for so long and have had experience with avian pathology. The best I have is access to a vet school that focuses primarily on farm animals.

I checked out Enzo, and it looks like his liver was very visibly swollen. I could see it clearly through his skin, and that indicates that it may be coccidiosis. I don't want to stress out Isabel or Tori (the two other fluffed birds) by examining them.

Thinking I may call the farm vet tomorrow morning to get some baycox (they use it for pigs, so I am sure I can get a few mL easily.) Thought I'd run it by you guys, see what you think. It seems like coccidiosis to me, but I'm open to other ideas. I don't have a microscope available to do a smear, unfortunately, and I am doubtful that our vet clinic would know what to look for.

[cindy]

Are the vents wet? Also another reason for them to go light is either a parasite or mega bacteria.

How do their droppings look?

Baycox is used by several members in regards to coccidia.

If you can not get it from the vet consult ladygouldian.com Laraine carries it. She can also help you figure out what might b going on with the birds.

https://ladygouldian.com/catalog/medications?page=1

[debbie276]

Any vet should easily be able to diagnose coccidiosis using their scope. Other symptoms of coccidiosis are watery droppings, weight loss and dark green, tacky smelly diarrhea. Also be aware these symptoms could also be attributed to other diseases.
If you could bring in droppings for your vet to look at them under a microscope you will be more likely to get a proper diagnoses.
Best of luck and please let us know how you make out.

[nixity]

Just so you know even if the cat did not visibly break the skin when he attacked the bird (no blood, but maybe there were still small scratches or puncture wounds) then I suspect your bird actually died of a bacterial infection and it probably has nothing to do with coccidiosis.

One of the bacteria found in cat saliva which does not affect dogs or people is Pasteurella, and it is deadly to birds.
Vets can test for this and prescribe antibiotics after an attack if the bird survives.
I don't know if it can pass from one bird to the next if one is exposed - you would need to talk to your vet about that.

Sorry to hear about the loss

[cindy]

What Tiffany mentioned makes sense. One site recommends that the bird that is bitten by a cat be treated by a vet and given a shot of ampicillin. I would call your vet office and ask if it can be passed from one bird infected to another. Most of the sites I found stated even a small puncture wound can cause serious health issues.

Some sites that talk about cats and parrots and not to let the bird drink out of the same bowl as the cat to avoid the bird getting Pasteurella.