FINCHforum

I just got dewormer and vitalize in the mail, even though the breeder treated the birds I would like to treat them again. I feed and water at night but am reluctant about leaving meds sit over night in their water cups. Can I make up the solution ahead of time tonight and give it to them in the morning. If I do this should I store it in the fridge until morning? If I make more than needed can I store the extra in the fridge to use for the following dose?

I need to give both vitalize and the dewormer up at the same time. I will make them up in separate containers and give half and half in the water cup.

I don't think it would hurt to make them up ahead of time, but storage in the fridge may be a good idea. To make sure my birds drink medicated water, I remove all water sources just before lights out, then the next morning, I put in new water tubes with the medicine added. Also, no bath water unless it is also medicated.

Thanks Sally, I just get nervous before medicating the birds for the first time.

Most medications have a fast half life in water - they lose potency relatively quickly.

My advice would be to remove the water at night, and make it fresh first thing in the morning.
Worming is a one time treatment, so it can't hurt to wake up early and this way you ensure two things:
1. That the medication is full strength and will be effective and
2. That the birds do not drink un-medicated water before you put the medicated water there.

Gouldians in particular drink about 80% of their daily water intake first thing in the morning, as this is instinctively when they would go from the trees to the watering holes - where they are put at the biggest risk for predation.
So if you don't remove the water at night, you run the risk they'll drink the water from the day before and not get an adequate dose of the meds.

I know it's annoying, but I consider it vital.

PS: Vitalize isn't a medication.

It is essentially a sugar powder meant to be used when birds are traveling, showing, or placed under stressful situations.
Sort of an energy booster.

The alternative product is Thrive, which is a full assortment of vitamins, amino acids, electrolytes, and carbs - mostly indicated for crop dosing birds that drop ill fast to get these nutrients into the bird.

Thanks for that information, Tiffany. I didn't realize meds could lose their potency so quickly. I can't remember where I learned the hint about removing all water sources the night before, so the birds would be good and thirsty in the morning when you give them the medicated water--think it might have come from Mr. Abbatte, of Abba Seed.

I knew that you needed to mix meds fresh, but...... on the Thrive can you mix it with water? Mine ways to sprinkle it on soft foods and crop dose it.....

Thanks everyone, I removed everyones' water last night and got up at 6 to mix it fresh. They told me to give the one owl Vitalize, it is an electrolite to help hydrate him since his stool is dry. It kind of does what Gatorade does for us.

I gave everyone both as Red Bird suggested. You can mix both together in one cup. The bold pair have been drinking but the one male in the quieter pair came out of the box, ate a little and fluffed up on the perch, preen his mate. I put mealies and egg/veggie food in near the water cup with the hopes they would drink.

I noticed he is always eating so it make me think possibly worms.

I have a few books on bird care and ailments. One book says

"Worms may also increase your bird's food consumption."

The other quote:

"If your bird has a varaious apppetite and it's droppings are watery with dramatic weight loss, pancreatic, liver or intestinal trouble may be the cause."

He does not have watery droppings.

He is as plum as can be. I dewormed today they told me I can do it a second day if need be. I am to treat with Vitalize for 5 days then Probiotics. I also bought Amoxitex just in case I ever need it.

Hopefully the deworming takes care of it, if not I may need to consult the avian vet.

They did tell me if I am to mix the dewormer in a separate bottle from the Vitalize.

Note:Bleach also if mixed with water and stored starts to loose it's effectivness with 24 hours and eventually all to gether. My avain vet told me that when I was caring for my sick Gray.