Psittacosis in budgie

[Caytee1996]

Hi everyone, I'm new to owning budgies, (only had frostbite since March and synyster since May)

anyway, two days ago I noticed my budgie screeching for my attention. She never used to do this. And when I looked at her she'd stop and do, what looked like grinding her beak. She had never done this for so long in the past. Later that day I took my budgies out of the cage for their free time and turns out frostbite had diarrhoea. Like it was liquid. So I called a vet and they suggested trying to worm her. But I had a gut feeling that it was worse then diarrhoea, however there was no appointments available that day. Then yesterday I noticed she haven't been eating and she seemed to be struggling for breath.. I called a different vet (surprisingly was an avian specialist) I told her what was wrong and she pushed me in as an emergancy.

They did a full health check and some tests and it came back with psittacosis. She stated she was surprised I caught it early enough to save her as she probably would have been dead within a week.

Anyway I was given the medication (one to put in water and another to syringe feed) and shown how to give it to her via the syringe, but she keeps refusing to open her mouth. She's about 6-8 months old, and other then the psittacosis she's overal healthy..

How likely are the chances she'll survive?
Are there any tricks to giving her the antibiotic? When will I start to see signs of improvement if there is any? What are the signs of it in people as I know it is highly contagious and can be sped to humans? Is there anything else I should know about this illness? What are the initial signs incase she gets better and then gets it again?

Sorry for the long post and all the questions. I'm new to owning budgies, and I really love these budgie and will be very distraught if she does pass on.

*frostbite in image*

 

[JosienBB]

Oh dear. Psittacosis is very serious -- it's law where I live to report whomever you got the psittacosis-infected budgie from to the authorities. You be very, very careful, as psittacosis is communicable to humans and will make you very sick.

I do hope she will survive. You have no other choice -- wrap her up tight in a towel to stop her from struggling, and force her to take the medication if you have to. It is imperative that she takes the medication via syringe, and the entire dose. Put her in quarantine away from other birds right away, and change clothes/wash hands thoroughly after every interaction with the bird.

 

[JosienBB]

Just reread your post... your other budgies are likely also infected by now, and should be medicated as well

 

[Caytee1996]

Yeah, synyster is also getting the meds but not the syringe one as she tested him and it didn't show up. I don't know who the breeder is as I got frostbite from a pet strore. I am just so worried I'll lose my first feathered friend, especially at a young age.

 

[JosienBB]

The petstore needs to be reported, then. To the health department. Have you separated the budgies yet? Separate air space is the best, but probably not doable in most households. I feel for you. Best of luck

 

[Jaguar]

The petstore needs to be reported, then. To the health department. Have you separated the budgies yet? Separate air space is the best, but probably not doable in most households. I feel for you. Best of luck

I hope the vet would've alerted the store though... Petsmart/Rainbow Exotics in the USA had a psittacosis outbreak among budgies last year and it was a very big deal. Budgies from certain stores were recalled... and apparently "returned" to the breeder to be treated... but they were probably actually destroyed.

So sorry to hear the diagnosis. I hope for the best.

 

[Caytee1996]

I got her from petbarn (australia) how do I go about notifying them just to ensure they know? And frostbite starves himself if synyster isn't with her the vet said to treat them together as taking them apart can stress her more. I'm just so worried she's going to die :/