rdmiller@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (Ruth D Miller) (03/06/91)
Well, the verdict came in last week and Cinnabar has chlamydiosis. We are actually relieved, as it explains a great deal. We suspect, as inept new bird owners, that the 3 male birds we have lost over the last 4 yrs all died of this bug, and that the original pair we got, of which we still have the female, came with the disease. Why do we have to learn at the expense of innocent lives?? Anyway, we've been given raspberry-flavored liquid tetracycline-derivative to force down the gullets of four very uncooperative, fierce little "love"birds daily for 45 days. Already Tangier and Sepia are afraid of me, when they used to take millet and celery from my hand... Does anyone have experience with a bird _with_ the disease? How long should it take for the sick one, Cinnabar, to be mostly well? He's still not himself--very sensitive to even mild stress (a "chill" means a temp below 75 F). A note of thanks for the replies from my previous post, esp Mikki. Ruth
susan@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM (Susan Baker) (03/08/91)
Ruth, I have been through this with some of the larger hookbills. My initiation to the treatment was similar to yours - oral tetracycline twice a day for 45 days. Result - one well bird, afraid of people. Since then (1985) I have instead used an injectible tetracycline which is given once per week for about 3 weeks. Result - well bird, not so traumatized by the experience. You might ask your vet about the intection alternative, even if it means taking the bird to the vet 3 times, it is still much easier on you. Our vet was willing to let us take the medication home and do the shots ourselves; it's not too difficult if your vet will show you how. In either case, I suggest that you do not curtail the dosage or duration of the treatment; otherwise you will have to go after it again in the future. Susan Baker
stewartw@cognos.UUCP (Stewart Winter) (03/12/91)
In article <3040002@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM> susan@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM (Susan Baker) writes: >I have been through this with some of the larger hookbills. My initiation >to the treatment was similar to yours - oral tetracycline twice a day >for 45 days. Result - one well bird, afraid of people. Since then (1985) >I have instead used an injectible tetracycline which is given once per >week for about 3 weeks. Another alternative is to feed medicated pellets if the bird is accustomed to eating pellets (or will take to them readily). I know that both Lafeber and Ziegler make a medicated pellet which you should be able to buy either directly or from a vet. Stewart -- Stewart Winter Cognos Incorporated S-mail: P.O. Box 9707 VOICE: (613) 738-1338 x3830 FAX: (613) 738-0002 3755 Riverside Drive UUCP: stewartw%cognos.uucp@ccs.carleton.ca Ottawa, Ontario The bird of the day is .... Green-Cheeked Conure CANADA K1G 3Z4