Help me figure this out, please!!

[Kmurch567]

My Lady Gouldian male, Julio has been having eye issues for about 2 months. It started with the shedding of the feathers around his right eye. He seemed fine, other than the feather loss. I took him to the local avian vet and he had me start him on a 2 week course of Beytril antibiotic, silver sulfadiazine cream to the area, and adding vivi13 vitamin supplement to the water. After 2 weeks, he showed no improvement, but didn't look worse. The vet then had me separate my two birds, to rule out that the other bird, Raul, was barbering Julio. He also had me do another two weeks of the beytril. After two weeks, he looked worse. He was rubbing his eye on his perch, he was fluffed up and looked like he wasn't going to make it. I warmed him up and he pulled through. We are now trying Cipro eye drops and a different antibiotic, itraconazole. Now, after almost 2 months of treatment, he looks worse than ever. He is acting fine, he just looks terrible. He has what looks like a huge abscess behind his right eye. I would have thought the two different antibiotics would knock it out! Today the vet took a sample by small needle aspiration, and will hopefully find something. He said the prognosis is poor and he seems baffled. The next thing he suggested was a biopsy, which would be traumatic to Julio and set me back over $600. I am already in for several hundred dollars thus far. I just can't see taking this any further, which breaks my heart. I am looking for any suggestions or ideas. I do not have a ton of confidence in this vet. He is the only avian vet in the area, and he doesn't seem to know a ton. I should add that Raul has showed no signs of illness, so I don't think this is a contageous thing. I have included a couple photos. Thanks in advance!

[Kmurch567]

I don't know what the photos are on their side. Sorry, but I think you can get the idea. Help please!!

[Nanajennie]

Wish I could help with some advise, but I can't, I am too new to this.. But I hope your bird recovers! Good luck

[Lisa]

Kirsten, I have never seen this before but poor little thing

Here is a link that may be of help:

http://www.avianweb.com/eyeproblems.html

[debbie276]

Wow, poor boy!
Here's a page at Laraine's Lady Gouldian's that may be of help. Maybe show your vet or call Laraine.
Looks like a sinus infection to me but I'm no vet
http://ladygouldian.com/node/223

good luck, keep us posted

[Kmurch567]

Thank you for the responses! Debbie, I emailed the link you gave me to my vet and he thought maybe we should start another antibiotic. I am waiting to hear back if we are going to try to drain the abscess. I feel like I don't want to do a bunch of crazy testing that won't tell me anything. But I also feel like I can't do nothing!!! He is already sick and if I do nothing, he will surely die. So I would like to drain the abscess and see if we can clear it up!

[debbie276]

So glad I could help, hope you and your vet come up with a solution.
keep us posted
sending good vibes

[finchmix22]

I would have the vet drain the abscess and put eye antibiotic ointment on the eye after warm washcloth press for five minutes. That opens up the tearduct and/or any other skin blockage so the meds can get to the source. Good Luck!

[Cath1068]

I'm no vet but wouldnt sovereign silver help ? I do agree its sinus related though.

[Kmurch567]

Update!

My vet opened up the abscess yesterday and removed a lot of pus. He has kept him overnight had has been frequently rinsing out the area and applying a topical antibiotic, as well as oral antibiotics. A culture was sent so hopefully we will know if the Amoxicillin he is on is the appropriate one. Julio has tolerated all of this trauma well, and I am looking forward to bringing him home tomorrow. Hopefully he will heal up and be healthy, and his feathers will grow back (fingers crossed). Thanks for all of your advice!

[Lisa]

Praying he continues to do well

[Ginene]

Praying for your sweet Julio...

[debbie276]

Sending good vibes for a complete recovery

[30 Seconds to Bob]

Any new news on this one? Hopefully good? Bob

[Ginene]

Kmurch567
How's Julio??? Hope he is improving ...