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Urgent Vomiting medicine + helping a sick bird gain weight

Nami

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I noticed my budgie was acting very sleepy and out of character with some very unusual poos so I took him to the vet yesterday morning and the vet had a look at his poos only to diagnose him as having a digestive fungal/bacterial infection.
Today is his second day of his meds (itraconazole/baytril both orally). At first he was very easy to medicate and he would instinctively bite onto the syringe when it was placed in front of him however he has become much more reluctant to take his meds and will shake his head and wiggle around. Today I noticed him actual vomit the medicine along with some undigested food, he is in bad shape so I really don't want him regurgitating his meds up. Does the medicine taste that bad? He seems to really hate the antibiotic the most. Is him vomiting up some of the doses going to hinder the medicines effectiveness in the long run and is it preventable?

The vet also said he had lost a little bit of weight, I've added extra seed in with his pellets but is there anything else I can do? Maybe giving him some sunflower seeds as a treat?

I just can't bare to see him so sick :sad6: This is the first time so far one of my budgies has become unwell so I've never seen him like this and it's very upsetting, I really hope he's back to his old self soon
 

iamwhoiam

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Provide him with some millet. That's a great treat that budgies usually like. How about some vegetables or fruit. As for the medicine you can always draw that up into the syringe and then draw up a very small amount of organic unsweetened (or if not organic at least unsweetened) apple juice to make it taste better. Does the vet know he is vomiting? Could be due to him not liking the meds or due to his illness. Let the vet know what is going on.
Hope your budgie will be better soon.
 

Nami

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I couldn't get hold of my vet today so I'll have to ring tomorrow, I've popped some millet spray in his cage and I'll definitely try the juice. He usually likes his veggies but isn't too big on fruits so I'll offer him some of his favorite leafy greens. Thank you!
 

Hankmacaw

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Baytril (enrofloxicin) is noted for causing anything that takes it nauseous. It tastes horrible, but that is not what makes them throw up. The best thing you can do is to make sure your bird has food in his stomach when you give it to him. If he continues to barf, there are many other broad spectrum antibiotics that the vet can give him.

Itraconazole can also cause vomiting (emesis) in birds and can effect the liver if the dosage is too high or it is given too long.

"4.6 Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness) Itraconazole generally has a narrow margin of safety in birds. Emesis, anorexia and weight loss have commonly been observed in treated birds, however, these adverse reactions are usually mild and dose related. If emesis, anorexia or weight loss occurs, then in the first instance it is advisable to lower the dose (see section 4.5) or treatment with the veterinary medicinal product should be discontinued."
http://ec.europa.eu/health/documents/community-register/2014/20140312127960/anx_127960_en.pdf

So your bird could be reacting to either of the medications, or both. Try making sure he has food in his tummy for at least awhile.
 

rocky'smom

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ask the vet if you can mix the meds with some food, if he she says yes try some applesauce or some thinned yogurt plain.
 

iamwhoiam

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I remember now that one of my birds was on Itraconazole (aka Sporanox) and it made her very nauseous. Wound up switching her to a different anti-fungal.
 

sunnysmom

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Definitely talk to you vet. My tiel would throw up every time I gave him his oral antibiotic. We switched to a different one- it actually went in his water. And he had no more issues with vomiting after that. I know antibiotics that go in water are not preferred because you can't manage the dosage. But I could get my tiel to drink water pretty easily. He just had to be on it for a longer time than the regular oral meds. It might be something to ask your vet about. I hope your budgie feels better soon.
 
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