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Information on Bacterial infections
From talking with you, looking at your bird and from the tests I have taken so far, I believe that your bird has a bacterial infection. I may have taken a culture test from the throat and droppings to confirm my suspicions and the results will be ready from 24 to 48 hours. Please phone me for the results 2 days from now.
What is a bacterial infection?
There are several types of bacteria that affect birds, but the most common are E.coli, Citrobacter and Staph. These bacteria are usually associated with water, sand, grit, seed, old food, humid areas, dusty spots, and wet cages. They also occur in birds which have a poor level of natural resistance or a damaged immune system. Your bird may show droppings which change colour to green or become watery, because the ingested bacteria irritates the bowel, crop and can damage the kidney and liver.. When the bacteria is inhaled on dust it produces sneezing, excessive swallowing, yawning or coughing. Both the inhaled and ingested forms are potentially life threatening when left unattended. The culture test identifies the bacteria type, so that I can tell you where it has come from, how best to treat it and how to prevent it from recurring..
How is it treated?
From the dropping tests I can predict which antibiotic to use and I will prescribe a course of medicine. I will recommend injections and drops in those birds which do not drink much or which are very ill. Other birds can be treated by the drinking water but you must watch to see if they are actually taking in the medicine. It is best to remove all seed, grit, sand, seed bells fruit from the cage, disinfect the cage and utensils with Protector and start your bird on a sterile seed. Do not leave your bird out of the cage unattended. It must stay on you and not wander around the house. The above recommendations protect your bird from re-infection by killing or removing any harmful bacteria from the environment, because your ill bird is more susceptible to infections now than when it is healthy.
Are there any other special instructions?
To accelerate the healing process I recommend that all birds with bacterial infections be given Turbobooster and F-vite on the sterile seed daily for 1 week then for one day twice weekly after this time. Following the antibiotic treatment Dufoplus and Ioford are given twice weekly. Make sure your bird is actually eating and drinking. If not, then it will need special force feeding in hospital.
Are there any long term problems?
Certain bacteria can harm the kidneys and liver and leave the bird susceptible to illness in the future. To protect your bird from repeat infections follow the health programme (see relevant bird section) and use VK liquid & Protector as part of the weekly health programme .Top
Is this disease contagious to humans or other birds?
Most bacterial infections are contagious from bird to bird by the droppings and water, but there is little chance of an infection spreading from your bird to humans.
Can bacterial infections be prevented from recurring?
Bacterial infections are always related to the environment in which the bird is kept. This does not mean that the bird is not cared for properly, but means that extra care must be taken to prevent recurrence. Staph. Infections occur with dust ingestion, virus diseases, poor seed and sand/grit problems. E.coli infections occur with wet areas, poor water hygiene, fruit spoiling, worms, virus infections, fungus infections and dirty cages. Citrobacter infections occur with water problems.
The following recommendations may help keep your bird bacteria - free:
- Follow the health programme outlined in the relevant bird section.
- Use sterile seed only. Do not give seed bells, millet sprays or grass seed treats.
- Use sterile F-vite and do not use sand, grit nor cuttle fish.
- Remove the uneaten fruit within 8 hours.
- Use VK liquid once a week as a water and bowel cleanser.
- Clean and disinfect the cage once a week with KD powder.
- Keep the cage in a dry environment.
- Do not let your bird land on curtain rails etc. where dust accumulates.
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Information on
Fungal infections
From talking with you, looking at your bird and from the tests I have taken so far, I believe that your bird has a fungal infection. I have taken a culture test from the throat and droppings to confirm my suspicions and the results will be ready within 72 hours (usually 48 hours). Please phone me for the results 2 days from now.
What is a fungal infection?
There are several types of funguses that affect birds, but the most common is the Aspergillus fungus. This fungus is usually associated with seed, corn cobs, old food, humid areas, air conditioners, blow heaters and wet cages. It also occurs in birds which have a poor level of natural resistance or a damaged immune system. Your bird may show dropping changes, because the ingested fungus irritates the bowel. This fungus may also produce a toxin which causes liver disease. You may notice a dark green dropping when this occurs. When the fungus is inhaled it produces a squeaky voice, sneezing, coughing or breathing difficulties. Both the inhaled and ingested forms are potentially life threatening. The culture test identifies the fungus, so that I can tell you where it has come from and how to treat it.Top
How is it treated?
I recommend that you start an anti-fungal treatment immediately, because this disease is so serious. Fungilin or Ketoconisole are the medicines that I use to treat fungal infections. The Fungilin is given directly by mouth and the Ketoconisole in the water. As well, remove all seed, grit, seed bells fruit from the cage, disinfect the cage and utensils with KD7 or Halasept powder and start your bird on a sterile seed. Dry heat may be advised in the form of a bar heater. The above recommendations protect your bird from reinfection by killing or removing any fungal spores from the environment.
Are there any other special instructions?
Birds with fungal infections often are vitamin, mineral and protein deficient.
I recommend that all birds with fungal infections be given TurboBooster and F-vite on the sterile seed daily for 1 week then for one day twice weekly after this time. Following the antifungal treatment DufoPlus and Ioford are given twice weekly.
Are there any long term problems?
Fungal infections can damage the immune system permanently making the bird susceptible to illness in the future. To protect your bird follow the health programme in the relevant section.
Is this disease contagious to humans or other birds?
Fungal infections are not contagious from bird to bird nor from bird to humans.
Can fungal infections be prevented from recurring?
Fungal infections are always related to the environment in which the bird is kept. This does not mean that the bird is not cared for properly, but means that extra care must be taken to prevent recurrence.
The following recommendations may help keep your bird fungus-free:
- Use sterile seed only. Do not give seed bells, millet sprays or grass seed treats.
- Use sterile F-vite and do not use grit nor cuttle fish.
- Remove the uneaten fruit within 8 hours.
- Use VK liquid once a week as a water and bowel cleanser.
- Clean and disinfect the cage once a week with KD7 powder.
- Keep the cage in a dry environment.
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