beyond puffy, now I am really worried...

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 8:15 pm

I hope little Agnes makes it...we are all pulling for her.

*My Mother's name is Agnes*

emessis · Post by **emessis** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 8:41 pm

FeatherHarp wrote:I hope little Agnes makes it...we are all pulling for her.

*My Mother's name is Agnes*

And my name is Devon (the male spelling is typically with an "i", so the male gould's is fitting).

Agnes, hang in there! You can beat those mites!

bonnies_gouldians · Post by **bonnies_gouldians** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 9:02 pm

I will be gone for a week exactly. For the ivermectin I will probably just prepare the correct amount of water and set the tsp near the container

with a "only 1 tsp for this container" sign (I made up 1/2 gallon with 1 tsp instead of 1/4 gallon with 1/2 teaspoon...couldn't find the 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon

)

As for the antibiotic, I read on ladygouldianfinch that a five day supply can be mixed up at once and used for those 5 days only as long as the unused portion remains refridgerated. I am going to email them to be sure that it needs to be used that long...I hate giving anti-biotics with no known bacterial infection but I am worried that if I pass it up, she may get an infection because she is weak from the mites. Their first round of antibiotics will start Thursday (I leave on Friday) so he can use the stuff I mix up for those five days, and I will be back the day the second round of antibiotics begin so he won't need to be concerned with mixing those up.

Her stool is still a little too runny for my comfort so I will double check with ladygouldianfinch on whether or not in can be used at the same time as the other drugs, or with the pro-biotics (which I may have to discontinue if I have to use the antibiotics, the morning bird site says not to use them in combo).

So much stress over such a little finch

I almost want to cancel my trip but I have been looking forward to it for a couple months now. There is not much I can do other than just give the treatments and it won't matter to the birds who gives them there drugs anyhow...*sigh* this sucks...

Featherharp and emessis, its cool that you guys are (or are related to someone) named with the same names as my finches

Small world indeed. I love both of those names!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 11:14 am

When do you leave? I'm sure they'll be fine while you're gone and all healthy by the time you return! Be sure to keep us posted when you get back.

franny · Post by **franny** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:32 pm

bonnies_gouldians wrote:Her stool is still a little too runny for my comfort so I will double check with ladygouldianfinch on whether or not in can be used at the same time as the other drugs, or with the pro-biotics (which I may have to discontinue if I have to use the antibiotics, the morning bird site says not to use them in combo).

The pro-biotics and antibiotics together would render both pretty useless. The anti-biotic will kill the good bacteria you are trying to build up with the pro-biotics. It's a bit like taking an antacid pill and a headache pill together. The antacid will make it hard to digest any of the medication in the headache pill.

Has she been on the pro-biotics for a bit already? If so, and there is any sign of improvement, then I would think I'd skip the anti-biotics. But if you've already started her on anti-biotics, then skip the probiotics until you've finished the course of anti-biotics. Just my opinion. Hope she does OK - but you are right in that she won't care who gives her the medicine, so go and try to enjoy your holiday. There's always email to check up on her (him

)

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 7:36 am

Bonnie,

How is the gouldian doing?

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 9:13 am

Wow - almost a week already! How are the darlings (and the boyfriend) doing???? We need to know!

bonnies_gouldians · Post by **bonnies_gouldians** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 7:32 pm

*Sigh* I just got back in this afternoon and took a long time checking on all of my animals (all the birds, nearly 150 snakes and lizards, rats, cat, fish...too many to count) so I am sorry I couldnt post any earlier than this.

Agnes is doing better. She has been sleeping through the night with wing fluttering only every minute or so instead of every few seconds (per the boyfriend

I havent actually been able to observe her sleeping myself, will watch closely tonight). I just scooped her up and held her to my ear, I only heard what might have been one or two clicks while I held her for about a minute so I think the treatment is working.

I never heard back from ladygouldianfinch.com, not sure why, so I decided to do 2 days of ivermectin, 5 days of antibiotics rotating for 3 weeks. I will use the probiotics afterwards to try and build back up her digestive tract bacteria. Poop is normal, not runny or anything. She has been flying from limb to limb in her hospital cage, but seemingly do well. Eating good and not sitting directly under the light anymore

The cordons still have a couple more weeks in quarintine but are not showing any signs to be concerned about so we are good on that front. I decided to put everyone on the same treatment, I know I shouldnt use antibiotics for no reason, but I figured this one time would not hurt sense I didnt think anyone was sick and then I almost lost one with VERY short notice. I will put everyone on an ivermectin schedule after this treatment is completed and the antibiotics will be on standby but not used again unless it is required.

I got the anti-protozoan medication in as well as iodine so my birds have pretty much taken over the guest bathroom med cabinet

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 7:43 pm

So glad she is doing better Bonnie. If she has hung on this long, she will probably be fine Looks like your doing a great job with them. Glad you had a safe trip.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 7:59 pm

Welcome back - sounds like your bf did a good job. Glad she's on the mend!

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:01 am

Thanks for the update....glad to hear things are going good so far....you have put in a great effort to get your birdies well again.

bonnies_gouldians · Post by **bonnies_gouldians** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 2:15 pm

Thanks for all your support and quick responses! If it weren't for you all and this forum, Agnes would probably be dead. I really appreciate all the help!

H2015 · Post by **H2015** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:19 am

That is good news Bonnie! It's good to hear your finch is getting better

franny · Post by **franny** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:40 am

Good for the boyfriend, too! I think you have a "keeper" there.

bonnies_gouldians · Post by **bonnies_gouldians** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:10 pm

LOL, thats funny Franny, I was thinking the same thing, but not so much because of the bird care skills (though that is a major plus

)