So.... I'm coming into this super late.... (I saw that I was tagged a bit back but I'm not on super regularly so I'm sorry about that!) Unless I get an email alert about a pm I don't usually hang out here....
Has he had any imaging, biopsy, or a recheck cytology since the initial one? It could be something like a polyp that's growing in there and causing opportunistic infection. A referral or having your doc call a specialist would be a good next step at this point instead of rotating antibiotics. Ear infections in a psittacine is a little weird but not unheard of
I'm glad they're drawing blood from veins now instead of cutting toenails! It sounds scarier but it's really better for them and the sample.
Dairy for birds in general isn't something that's recommended. We like our bird friends to be as vegan as possible! I see this debated a lot here... but that's the recommendation from all my zoo and avian boarded docs.
Thank you so much for replying Jenny! And no need to apologize ever!
He only had what I think the Dr refered to as a smear on our very first visit. Then he had a biopsy on our 4th or 6th visit. It's hard to keep track now since we've gone back so many times. That was done before she changed our antibiotic from enrofloxacin to septra. Since starting the septra he hasn't had any tests done, just a visual check up.
The Dr mentioned possibly trying an injectable antibiotic next if the septra doesn't work because she said sometimes when an ear infection is so deep it's hard to penetrate so I'm guessing that's what she would suggest next if he's not healing as well as he should be. I will definitely keep in mind what you said about a possible polyp and referring to a specialist. Thank you so much!
Also, I appreciate you letting me know that taking blood from the vein is better than taking it from the vein. I was a bit upset about that because Blu's foot was bruised for about a month afterwards. But if that's better than I can certainly understand the need.
And also good to know to keep away fdom dairy. We didn't end up using the almond milk yogurt .Something instinctively told me not to so I'm glad I didn't give it to him. I really appreciate all the information
@Milo!
Btw, I think I was overreacting about his other ear looking like it's starting to go bald. It looks totally fine after his bath and a preening session.
His infected ear actually seems to me to finally start looking better too. He is getting more pins now and not scratching quite as much. Our next follow up appt is this coming Saturday so I really hope the Dr will agree and that we're finally coming out of this.