Just thought I would update again... Unfortunately, I am having more issues with my vet. She doesn't want to give me a refill of the antibiotic after less than another month of treatment. I've told her that I actually waste quite a bit of antibiotic because I am still mixing it up in a very small amount of formula -- I mix it up so that each mL of formula has a dose of antibiotic in it. I mix it up like this because the babies are so picky and even if the antibiotic is strawberry flavoured, they will shake it out of their beaks regardless, if they even let me get it in there in the first place. They give me an anxious look if I even dare use a new syringe! I didn't want to utterly damage my relationship with them by grabbing them and restraining them as I force them to take the antibiotic, which I have done a few times. But even though they are weaned, they are happy to have a little taste of formula as a treat. The reason I waste a lot is because, even in a tiny cup, a lot of the final mixture ends up stuck to the sides of the cup and it's very difficult to draw up into the syringe. Mixing up 6 doses instead of four, for example, makes it much easier for me.
Anyway, it seems like my vet thinks that this is a chronic, untreatable issue and I shouldn't be treating them at all, but rather resigning myself to them being carriers and only treat "if they seem sick". Which is, in my opinion, absurd anyway, because birds usually don't show obvious signs of illness until it is very advanced. And I guess she has no knowledge of people having to treat for 16+ weeks to cure MRSA. It's so frustrating. It looks like I'm going to have to try the other vet, but I don't think I can afford four more exams for the babies in order to get the vet to prescribe for them. Another $300 just to have them looked at and weighed, which I can do myself, is not really doable... I guess I'm going to have to talk to the vet and see what's possible.
I just don't know why none of the vets here seem to have heard of people having to treat for months to cure this. My vet continues to tell me that we're going to cause more resistance to develop if we treat any longer, but that doesn't seem to be the story I get from other bird and pet owners who have successfully cured MRSA. I'm trying so hard to not give up on them, but this is just yet another struggle.