Strange Growth on Shaft Tail's Beak

[Ginene]

debbie276
Thank you Debbie...
Quick question...
I purchased apple cider vinegar to add to my bird baths (recommended on the web for the pox), how much do I put in each bath???

[Martie]

I would like to purchase an avian pro-biotic for my flock, if anyone has a recommendation. This will help in the event any birds go on anti-biotic for associated infections. Thanks.

Ginene, I am so sorry to hear about Romeo and can only imagine how difficult this must be.

Although who can really say if a Probiotic really works - I did notice a slight difference with Garden of Life Primal Defense, which was recommended to me by Lainey Alexander, owner of the EssentialBird Yahoo Group. Here's a link with more information: http://www.gardenoflife.com/Products-fo ... fense.aspx. It is pricey, but will last a long time and is worth it IMO to know I am getting a good viable product. I just sprinkle it on the birds' soft food.

A Probiotic is not a bad idea anyway as it can help support your birds' immune functions which they may be needing now.

Lainey's group is a wonderful resource for natural ways to support birds in sickness and health and she has had some good successes - might be worth a look... http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/EssentialBird/

Stay strong! You are doing a great job.

[Ginene]

Martie
Thank you so much Martie...I will check out the site and pick up the probiotic. My guys definitely need every bit of help they can get right now...

[Lisa]

Ginene,

I am so sorry to hear about Romeo

Thanks for keeping us updated... I pray you are able to have some peace of mind with this soon and just enjoy your birds once again. You are such a great finch mommy, it's so hard to see you going through all of this.

[Sally]

Ginene

Don't know how I missed this topic, but just getting caught up, and I am so sorry you are going through this. It is not anyone's fault, these things do happen, and there is no way to predict them. I know how devastated you are. I went through a similar situation several years ago, when my birdroom was diagnosed with polyoma virus. I cried for days, disinfected, cleaned, did all the things you are going through. In my case, though, I was very fortunate to have a friend who told me to have more tests done with a different lab. As it turned out, after two more tests came back negative, my vet decided that the first test must have been a mistake.

The clincher was that I had some Strawberry babies, which I should have destroyed but could not at the time. My vet said most of them should have died, and none did. As I continued having babies and no deaths, my vet said that it could have been ecoli instead. He said there was no way I could have polyoma in my birdroom and all these healthy babies.

Since your vet is experienced in avian pox, I'm not questioning the diagnosis, just letting you know that I have been there and know just how devastating it can feel. It is a fact that even with quarantine, there are never any guarantees with any birds, some illnesses can remain dormant for months or years.

[Nerien]

Thankfully, everyone else seems ok, but they aren't as friendly as the societies are, so it is much more difficult to examine them as they don't sit still when my face is near their cages.

I have trouble seeing details on my birds at all, as my eyes aren't good up close with glasses on, and I am too nearsighted without them (face would have to be against the cage, birdies do NOT like that). The trick I use is to take pictures of them, just snap away (thank you digital camera with unlimited pictures & deletes). Then you can examine the pictures, even blow them up on the computer for a better look.

My other trick is to ask my kids to look for me, daughter especially spots overgrown toenails and beaks and such for me. Son has better than 20/20 vision, so when he's around I'll ask him to look, if I think I'm spotting something, then I know if & who to harass with the camera.

Also, put their favorite treat food right next to the front cage bars, then it's easy to get a look and photos taken once they move in to eat.

[debbie276]

debbie276
Thank you Debbie...
Quick question...
I purchased apple cider vinegar to add to my bird baths (recommended on the web for the pox), how much do I put in each bath???

Generally I've heard one drop of vinegar per ounce of water.
FYI you should be sure the probotics are specifically avian probotics, others will not work for birds.

[Sally]

Ginene, I'm sure you've already seen this, but this article on canary pox is interesting, and specifically says that bird-specific probiotics should be given to help the bird's immune system.

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

[Ginene]

debbie276@Sally
Thanks for the heads up...just put in a request to cancel the probiotic order I placed earlier. I will make sure to order one specifically for birds .

[chirpy]

Ginene
I just caught up on this thread also, I am so sorry about your colony and the loss of your two birds Romeo and Juliet. I can not imagine what you are going through.
I am just a newbie so I can't give you any quality input or information I just wanted to let you know that we (Bebop, Rocksteady and I) are in our prayers.

[Ginene]

chirpy
Thanks so much...that means a lot to me...I am praying that my guys make it through this ordeal asap...the hardest part is the waiting and not knowing who is going to get sick and if they will have the strength to make it through...especially the babies . I hope they make it...

[Martie]

Although who can really say if a Probiotic really works - I did notice a slight difference with Garden of Life Primal Defense, which was recommended to me by Lainey Alexander, owner of the EssentialBird Yahoo Group. Here's a link with more information: http://www.gardenoflife.com/Products-fo ... fense.aspx. It is pricey, but will last a long time and is worth it IMO to know I am getting a good viable product. I just sprinkle it on the birds' soft food.

A Probiotic is not a bad idea anyway as it can help support your birds' immune functions which they may be needing now.

FYI you should be sure the probotics are specifically avian probotics, others will not work for birds.

Ginene, I'm sure you've already seen this, but this article on canary pox is interesting, and specifically says that bird-specific probiotics should be given to help the bird's immune system. http://www.avianweb.com/canarypoxvirus.html

Thank you Debbie276 and Sally for this information. I am going to talk to Lainey and see if I can dredge up some research on avian probiotics and will share any findings in another thread when I have them.

[ac12]

I use 1 drop of ACV per ounce of bath water. Or 1/4 teaspoon per 32 oz of water. I got tired of counting 32 drops into the measuring cup, so I did it into a measuring spoon and got close to 1/4 teaspoon. I don't remember where I got the ACV to water ratio. But I think what I am using is a compromise, as the birds would drink the bath water, so I did not want to make it too strong.

The other thing that I used to do, was to use a bit of Listerine in the bath. This was when my zebras were having foot problem. I have not done that for a LONG time and don't remember the mixing ratio.

[Ginene]

ac12
Thanks, Gary. I actually did a search on the forum and found a post from the past where you broke down the ratio. I did the 1st ACV bath yesterday. I plan to do it everyday to help reduce bird dander, which spreads the pox virus. I think that I'm doing everything I can to get my guys through this, but its an up-hill battle. I just have to wait and see what happens over the next 3 months...

[Ginene]

Nerien
Hey Ruth...my BC Babies are so friggen cute!!! I wish you could have taken some of them, but it isn't safe to rehome ANY of my birds. I got mine from finchfarm.com and singingwings.com also has them. Sorry ...