Frustration

[metalstitcher]

Gracie has been fighting an ear infection for a few months. We have been trying different types of antibiotcs. I'm wondering if her age might have something to do with it

 

[rocky'smom]

did they culture that junk coming out of the ear canal ?

 

[metalstitcher]

yes they did. it was spirochetes. I have cleaned her cage and been staying on top of it. changing her water and we thought had it nailed down but it just won't budge.

 

[LunaLovebird]

Have they done a sensitivity test?

 

[metalstitcher]

Not yet. I will bring it up at her check up next week.

 

[sunnysmom]

My vet definitely thinks that just like with humans as we age that birds' immunity levels decrease also with age. How old is Gracie? Do you give her probiotics with the antibioitcs?

 

[metalstitcher]

She's 16 and been grumpy lol she let me have it yesterday. I almost ended up with a cheek piercing and bloody fingers. I've just been letting her go at her own pace the last 10 months or so. Yesterday being the exception because of her vet appointment and Southern California traffic on a Monday.

 

[metalstitcher]

I asked about dmg and my vet said because she is so little it would be hard to give her something like it. I haven't thought about probiotics.

 

[Hankmacaw]

Spirochetes evidently are not well researched. I found this by Dr. Margaret Wissman and it has a copyright date of 2006. I did see one other recommendation for TSM in the treatment of Spirochetes.

"Spirochetes, rarely found on a choanal Gram's stain, are most commonly found in lovebirds. Research needs to be performed in this area, but this author feels that spirochetes found in ill birds should be treated. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Roche, 48 mg/ml., dosed at 100 mg/kg PO q 12 hr. x 10 days) has proven clinically effective in this author's practice."
Small Parrots in Health and Disease

Have you tried giving her DMG or RPO to boost her immune system?

 

[metalstitcher]

I'll show this to her vet when I go back next week. I haven't tried RPO for her yet. I will look into it.

 

[WendyN]

Rhiana, may I asked who her vet is?
I live in SoCal too.

 

[metalstitcher]

Dr. McDowell I don't go to Nemitz after somethings that happened there in the office.

 

[Monica]

I don't know why DMG would be difficult to give... it's 1 drop twice a day for a bird her size. Just get Vetri-DMG, comes in two different sized bottles and many stores sell it online.

 

[metalstitcher]

One drop per 100 grams she only weighs 49 grams is what I've been told.

 

[Monica]

Twice a day if she's sick. From my understanding, it can't be overdosed.

Vetri DMG™ Liquid for Dogs and Cats


My bourke parakeet, which weighed less than Gracie (44 grams at best? low end 38ish?), was getting 1 drop twice a day, as per vet recommendation. I have the bottle in front of me, too.


Still, I wouldn't think even 1 drop once a day would be difficult?

 

[metalstitcher]

As long as I don't get angry bird face lol it shouldn't be too bad.

 

[iamwhoiam]

If you decide to use DMG recheck with Dr. McDowell regarding dosing. 1 drop is .05 cc and for her weight you would probably give her .025 cc. I generally use a syringe when administering it and give the amount of ccs for their weight. Scully weighs about 153 and he gets @ .07 ccs. I don't think there are interactions with other medications but I'm not sure about that.

 

[metalstitcher]

I'll ask when we go back on Friday see what she says. The meds seem to be working. She's been a little terror all week from hormones and wanting what she wants at weird times.

 

[iamwhoiam]

That's great that the meds are working. You may not need the DMG.

 

[metalstitcher]

It's 0100 in the morning @iamwhoiam and this is what I'm getting