So now Kuri is acting funny.. UGH!!!!!!!!!

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fhgwgads
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So now Kuri is acting funny.. UGH!!!!!!!!!

Post by fhgwgads » Mon Jan 06, 2014 6:45 pm

I feel like I now live in the health section of the forum. Those of you who know about what I have been going through.. Shadow passed away suddenly.. and I just got Charlie. He is still in quarantine and now Kuri is acting funny. I noticed it more because I have been on high alert. I was in the kitchen today changing their water.. I had just given them probiotics in their water the past 2 days and was changing it out with fresh water and Kuri was happily preening one moment.. and I look over the next and she was just sitting there with her eyes closed. I can't explain it.. but she didn't look like her normal napping self.. or how she does when the sun starts to set. I went over and asked her if she was ok and what was wrong (as if she was going to answer me.. and yes I talk to my birds as if they are people.. I am sure a lot of us do) and she would open her eyes and look at me and then close them. No stretching a if I had woken her from a nap, no fluffing as if she was happy, no little grunt noise of contentment as usual. It was then that I heard it.. a few little clicks. AGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Air-sac mites?!?! Is this what killed Shadow?? So anyway I quickly got online.. looked at the LG site.. and was able to locate Iverlux at a local store which I am sending the BF to purchase. But I am also afraid that it could be a resp. inf. I looked on the LG site about this as well. and came to a conclusion that maybe it would be a good idea to also treat for an infection? The only things I could think it could possibly be would be bacteria.. and I ruled it down to Amoxitex and Doxycycline. I know.. I am freaking out.. and I am sure it is probably best to post and wait for advice which is why I am here. I know all about how bad it is to give drugs for any little thing because they can become immune to it. I found an article about administering Doxycycline 100mg into distilled water in non-metal bowls (LG advises in combo with Megamix) and I happen to have Doxy 100mg on hand. I was going to ask the BF to see if the store had Amox as well. So basically.. I am asking what I should do. I am definitely going to administer the Iverlux to all my birds including Charlie. I can do the Doxy as well because I have it.. and if I can get the Amox I could do that. But what should I do? I tried calling a few vets to no avail. It's $150 and over to be seen... plus anything else such as tests, meds, etc. I cannot afford it. And over the phone they just say, "you would need to see a doctor". I simply cannot afford it! I have never had a sick bird so I probably sound like a loony trying to throw a pharmacy at my birds.. so I need any advice! I do have a mite spray with pyrethrum that I can spray their cages with in addition to the Iverlux. And I am just confused as to how this happened. I read the mites can be dormant for a long time.. and clearly they had to have them from the start as I have only had them since April. I am also trying to get all this stuff locally ASAP because I am afraid if I don't get it soon enough Kuri will die as fast as Shadow did.. and I cannot afford to overnight stuff. I am going to obviously be VERY careful if I DO administer the Doxy... and I would NEVER just start giving my birds a whole bunch of meds like that. So if anyone has any advice at all.. I need help here. I have laid out everything that has happened, everything I can get my hands on, my thoughts, etc... but I do not have the experience. And I can't bear to lose my little mama!!!!!!! Especially since now I have Charlie!!! :( I really wish I could get her to a vet!

Also as a note: her poops are a tan color.. always have been.. and her pee dries a bright yellow color.. always has. I read somewhere that this means liver failure, etc. So I dunno!! Bah~! But no recent change in poop.. she has always had the weirdness in her poop. All the others have norma poops that are dark-green to black and white with clear pee.

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Re: So now Kuri is acting funny.. UGH!!!!!!!!!

Post by Ginene » Mon Jan 06, 2014 7:08 pm

UGH!!! Sorry Ashley...My first thought was to use the Iverlux, but you're right that it can be a bacterial infection #-o . I have used Iverlux before as part of my quarantine protocol (in drinking water 2 consecutive days; for 3 consecutive weeks). But I'm not sure how common air sac mites are in Zebras. I believe they are a canary and Gouldian issue; so if your finches were ever housed with canaries or Gouldians they could have gotten ASM. I am sure an expert will hop on this thread soon with some advice. Your other option is emailing Laraine @ ladygouldian.com and asking for her & Dr Rob's advice. They have helped me many times before. Good luck sweet girl and keep us posted... :(

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Re: So now Kuri is acting funny.. UGH!!!!!!!!!

Post by fhgwgads » Mon Jan 06, 2014 7:20 pm

Ginene thank you!! I appreciate it... you have no idea how much the support has helped me through a lot of this!!!

Just got the Iverlux.. no luck with the Amoxitex. Just deciding whether to apply it to her or in the water. I really don't want to scare her!!!! Bah. Still going to get distilled water just in case I decide to do the Doxy. Also.. if it is ASM.. how long should I treat? The same as for quarantine protocol? I can also look it up.. but want to see what others have done before.

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Re: So now Kuri is acting funny.. UGH!!!!!!!!!

Post by Ginene » Mon Jan 06, 2014 7:57 pm

fhgwgads
I'm not sure about treatment dosage...You can probably find that info on ladygouldian.com or ladygouldianfinch.com. Otherwise, Sally, Debbie, Cindy, Martie or Charlie (and many others too) can definitely tell you. Maybe shoot a few of them a PM...they are all SOOO helpful. I was able to contact Su Yin (Neversink) when I needed advice on medicating Ernie. She's not on the forum much, but she's on Finchaholics/FB.

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Re: So now Kuri is acting funny.. UGH!!!!!!!!!

Post by chirpy » Mon Jan 06, 2014 8:09 pm

:( prayer to your little Kuri! You're an amazing fincher I pray she pulls through.. I can't help.. :(
Mommy to:
2 Soc's: Bebop (Roseanne cause she's a big girl!) & Rocksteady
1 Black and white cat: Poker (aka Pokes, Pokey)
1 Ball Python: Riff (aka Hawk-eye)
1 Lutino Cockatiel: Stewie (RIP! I love you <3)
1 Avid rib eating sports fanatic.
1 Accident prone 2 year old daughter.

1st clutch: 07/04/2013 - 4/6 fertile 1/4 DIS.
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Re: So now Kuri is acting funny.. UGH!!!!!!!!!

Post by lovezebs » Mon Jan 06, 2014 10:59 pm

Is she ok? I hope all goes ok. Thoughts and prayers with her and all the best.
~Elana~

Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~

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Re: So now Kuri is acting funny.. UGH!!!!!!!!!

Post by fhgwgads » Mon Jan 06, 2014 11:28 pm

chirpy thank you!! I appreciate it!! And you help more than you think just by being supportive. A lot of us aren't familiar with the different diseases/sicknesses and treatments such as myself.. but I appreciate the kind words and prayers!!

@lovezebs I don't know if she is ok... I mean she seems ok right now but all birds hide illness so I can't really say. I administered the Iverlux to the back of her neck via q-tip which she was NOT happy about.. poor baby. She is a little skittish now and isn't on her swing but on the perch against the side of her cage closest in direction to Charlie.. and he is off his swing perched on his food bowl in the corner closest to her direction out of concern for her. It's amazing how much they have bonded being that they are in separate cages so far apart from each other!! My sweet babies.. he is already protective of her. I really hope that this works.. I applied it topically tonight to get it on/in her ASAP and will start adding it to the water tomorrow as well as cleaning the cages/food bowls/toys/etc tomorrow and spraying the pyrethrum.

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Re: So now Kuri is acting funny.. UGH!!!!!!!!!

Post by lovezebs » Tue Jan 07, 2014 12:12 am

Poor baby. Let everyone know how she's doing and again good luck.
~Elana~

Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~

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Re: So now Kuri is acting funny.. UGH!!!!!!!!!

Post by debbie276 » Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:10 am

I would be very surprised if this is ASM. Brown droppings usually means a bacteria infection. Yellow or yellowish brown could be staphylococcus, streptococcus or campylobacter.

So sorry your going through this :( wish I could be of more help. I wouldn't hesitate to contact Laraine at http://www.ladygouldian.com/
and explain whats going on.

best of luck
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)

GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56

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Re: So now Kuri is acting funny.. UGH!!!!!!!!!

Post by chirpy » Tue Jan 07, 2014 10:27 am

How is she?
Mommy to:
2 Soc's: Bebop (Roseanne cause she's a big girl!) & Rocksteady
1 Black and white cat: Poker (aka Pokes, Pokey)
1 Ball Python: Riff (aka Hawk-eye)
1 Lutino Cockatiel: Stewie (RIP! I love you <3)
1 Avid rib eating sports fanatic.
1 Accident prone 2 year old daughter.

1st clutch: 07/04/2013 - 4/6 fertile 1/4 DIS.
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Re: So now Kuri is acting funny.. UGH!!!!!!!!!

Post by Ginene » Tue Jan 07, 2014 10:31 am

fhgwgads
Any changes in Kuri today???

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Re: So now Kuri is acting funny.. UGH!!!!!!!!!

Post by fhgwgads » Tue Jan 07, 2014 12:19 pm

She seems better.. she's happier today and more active. If it is bacterial based on poop I'd need to get the Amoxitex. I don't have any amoxicillin on hand because I'm allergic to it otherwise I would look into that. Bah! I don't know what I should do now. Should I wait and see? I found a web based store that carries the amox for $30 and shipping would be flat rate and they are based out of my area.. literally one town over. I called to see if I could somehow pick it up and they said no but at least I know where I can get it. Not sure what to do.. I think I am going to continue the ASM treatment and start doxy and see.. at least she seems better after being traumatized last night!!

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Re: So now Kuri is acting funny.. UGH!!!!!!!!!

Post by Ginene » Tue Jan 07, 2014 12:33 pm

Be careful Ashley. Too much meds at once is toxic for little bodies. Can both meds be given at the same time safely? You can call the people at ladygouldianfinch.com. They have a phone number and usually pick up. Otherwise you can email Laraine from ladygouldian.com. Or maybe start a new thread in the health section asking if the meds can be given at the same time. That will alert the experts to your issue. Btw, 4 in 1 is also good for tummy bacteria. Good luck!!! Xoxo

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Re: So now Kuri is acting funny.. UGH!!!!!!!!!

Post by debbie276 » Tue Jan 07, 2014 12:39 pm

I would think Baytril would work too if you don't want to expose yourself to the Amoxitex.
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)

GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56

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Re: So now Kuri is acting funny.. UGH!!!!!!!!!

Post by fhgwgads » Tue Jan 07, 2014 3:20 pm

Ginene I called a vet and asked and they said it was ok.. I also explained how I was diluting it and they said it was fine.. and I even diluted it a bit further.. 1 liter is 4.22675 cups and I diluted 4 X 100mg caps (emptied) into 4.75 cups of distilled water and added 1/2 tsp of the Iverlux. But I had the same concern about giving both of them.. last night I only gave the Iverlux. The doxycycline also says it is less effective when you use tap water, or they have minerals, etc. So you are supposed to remove calcium/iron/zinc/etc from their diets.. all metals.. otherwise it is less effective. I don't have the megamix so I made sure to use distilled water, no metal water bowls.. but I left the cuttlebone in. I am just glad I had the 100mg pills.. if I didn't I wouldn't even attempt it. I am also thinking of diluting it down more as I give it. But it seems the doxy would be safer considering it isn't absorbed if there are too many minerals.. so the concern would be it not working well.. same goes for human use. I would however... NOT give her the Amox at the same time. If the doxy doesn't seem to have an effect and she is still acting funny I will consider getting it for her. But certainly... had I not come across that article about how to give the doxy, and verified with a vet, and researched it myself I wouldn't have attempted it. Considering the circumstances tho the most probable illnesses would be treated with the three meds I mentioned.. two of which I have. I just hope she gets better.. and I am keeping a close eye on her! She is happy right now.. flutter-hopping around for Charlies attention.. so at least she seems a little better! I am also waiting to spray the pyrethrum because I don't want too much going on at once for her. I am also not comfortable spraying it directly onto the birds so I am just going to do the cages. I believe the amount I used of the doxycycline is the same you would use if you were to purchase it in the little tub for birds.. and it's the exact same.. doxycycline hyclate. I am still going to continue calling vets in the area to see if anyone could help with anything at all considering I cannot afford a vet visit.

@debbie276 I will look into the Baytril and see how easy it is to get and what prices are. I am allergic to a whole host of antibiotics though so if anything I will have the boyfriend do it. As long as I don't consume it I should be ok with using it.

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