Chloramphenicol for parotts????? HELP!!!

[Roxy_9_2011]

My GW macaw has a bacterial infection that is Enterobacter species which is pathogenic. The bacteria has not responded to either Tribrissen or Baytril. Two Avian vets have told me the only medication left out there that'll effectively get rid of the infection is Chloramphenical....go ahead and google it. It's crazy dangerous for humans, but both vets mentioned it has been successful in parrots. So I need to know if anyone on here knows for a fact of a parrot using this antibacterial and it was successful. I would have to wear gloves and wash my hands like crazy to make sure I don't get aplastic anemia from working with this drug...basically I could get leukemia! I want my macaw to get be rid of the infection, however I do not think I should risk my life or his on this medication. Unless like I asked, does anyone know of successful cases of using this drug with their parrot.

 

[SailBoat]

I have never used this medication, nor am I aware of any other friends who have used it.

To my knowledge there are only two Certified Avian Vets in Michigan. One is located in the Greater Grand Rapids area and the other is in the Greater Detroit area. There are several Avian Qualified Vets around the State and with that we are luckily.

I would recommend that either with your Vet or separately, you contact one of the two Certified Vets for a second opinion.

 

[Roxy_9_2011]

He did see the Avian vet in Grand Rapids that you are probably talking about and he saw another in Holland. Thank you for your reply!

 

[SailBoat]

I am aware of the Vet in Holland and if we are both taking about Dr. Tracy on Cascade Road, you gotten great Vet care.

It comes to your level of comfort with administering the medication. Sounds like lots of safety procedures that need to be followed closely.

Wish that I could bring some level of comfort to you. But the only thing that I got is that you have gotten great Vet advise.

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

Look up pdf formulary Avian medicine and it gets a mention here...
https://www.google.ie/search?q=Chlo...i57.39122j0j4&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

 

[Scott]

Not at all familiar with Chloramphenica, but it seems two qualified vets have deemed it a last-effort drug.

If this were my bird, given the circumstances and quality of advice, the prime consideration would be whether it is a good risk to administer the course of therapy. In other words, I would ask the vet to guide me through the precautions necessary and rigidly adhere to the protocol with a checklist - each and every time it is given.

Good luck to you with the decision, and please let us know how things progress either way.

 

[Roxy_9_2011]

My vet sent me an article referencing the use of this drug on birds. I'm still nervous, but just not as much in the beginning. I will ask for a step by step process to be as safe as possible. I still haven't decided yet if I will give it to him. I love my GW to death and would do anything for him...but I can't not worry about the issues that comes with this med...ugh

 

[Roxy_9_2011]

For those that are curious, I have decided to go ahead with this medicine. And the vet understand my concerns with handling it, so she is graciously letting my Jazz board at the vet's office during the 2 week treatment...positives: he'll get the treatment at exactly the right times, the vet will be the only person giving it to him for consistency, I won't have to worry about giving it to him, and he starts it Friday. Negatives....he will be gone for 2 weeks and I don't want him to think that I left him....however both I and my "bird mentor" agree it'll be better if I stay away the whole 2 weeks instead of coming in stressed out and then leaving him which could cause more stress on him. I pray that the meds work because he is getting worse and that he only needs 1 treatment. I also pray that he doesn't get depressed with being gone for 2 weeks or thinks that I gave him up. ....one worried mommy right here to say the least

 

[GraciesMom]

Thanks so much for the update. I'm glad to hear you & your vet came up with a solution. It sounds like you have a great vet and I'm sure the staff will do everything to ensure he has attention to help him thru it. He'll miss you but you're making a good decision for him. You guys will have plenty of time to cuddle up once he's all better

I'm sure you're worried .. who wouldn't be but it sounds like he'll be well cared for. I hope the time goes quickly for you both & only 1 treatment is needed.
Please keep us posted

 

[plumsmum2005]

For those that are curious, I have decided to go ahead with this medicine. And the vet understand my concerns with handling it, so she is graciously letting my Jazz board at the vet's office during the 2 week treatment...positives: he'll get the treatment at exactly the right times, the vet will be the only person giving it to him for consistency, I won't have to worry about giving it to him, and he starts it Friday. Negatives....he will be gone for 2 weeks and I don't want him to think that I left him....however both I and my "bird mentor" agree it'll be better if I stay away the whole 2 weeks instead of coming in stressed out and then leaving him which could cause more stress on him. I pray that the meds work because he is getting worse and that he only needs 1 treatment. I also pray that he doesn't get depressed with being gone for 2 weeks or thinks that I gave him up. ....one worried mommy right here to say the least

I would play this by ear (wait 'n' see) if he is getting stressed and you can be calm when visiting then he could benefit from seeing you. He would get used to you coming and going I think. If he is depressed and you don't go, not good IMO. Turn it round how would you feel? Best wishes and hope he makes a good recovery.

 

[SailBoat]

When the happy day arrives, lots of loving and 'saving your parrot' from those mean people. Don't be surprised if your parrot makes a beeline to you and up and on you! Commonly, hiding behind your head! If slow to come to you, just be yourself with lots of 'O I Missed You So!' With the choice of you or the Vet staff, you will be the clear choice!

 

[Roxy_9_2011]

Update�� Jazz is home and doing great. After we got rid of this bad infection, a minor one popped up on the culture but we were able to take care of it at home with simple Baytril. He is so much happier and talkative now! We also discovered he still sneezed more than average for attention. He assumes I'll come over right away when he sneezed since I did way back when he was sick �� His vet fell in love with him so much that she offered to take him if I ever had to give him up (which I pray never happens!) I'm so happy he is doing better!! ��

 

[Roxy_9_2011]

Ignore the question marks, they're supposed to be emoji lol

 

[GaleriaGila]

Just reading this thread and wishing you good luck... wishing both of you good luck.

 

[SailBoat]

Congrats on your Parrots out come! So very happy to hear that all has worked out!!!!

Best wishes and continued good health!

 

[Piasa]

Yay! It sounded like such a nightmare situation, I am so glad to hear that the scary medicine worked and that Jazz is back to his old healthy happy self!

 

[Scott]

What a great save! Will have to keep this medication in mind should I ever have a similar circumstance. Thanks for posting the update!!

 

[Roxy_9_2011]

.....Why can't my Jazz stay healthy???!!! He has gone back to sneezing with mucus. He is going back to the vet this Friday. Assuming the infection hasn't come back since he's had 2 clean cultures since the treatment I previously discussed, the vet says it could be allergies, fungus, foreign objects in the sinuses, or a tumor (worst case scenario). One possible solution may be a monthly sinus flush...does anyone have experience with that with their macaw? I don't have cockatoos or any other dusty birds. I use an air purifier and humidifier in the winter. He gets probiotic daily. ...What could be getting him sick?? This poor guy has been off and on antibiotics for a year, ugh!

 

[Piasa]

I've had my pionus get frequent nasal flushes (she probably has fungal infection in sinuses). The vet taught me how and now I do them myself with saline. Ideally it is supposed to happen daily, but I am not that responsible It mechanically removes stuff from the nasal cavity (including fungus/bacteria) and I notice it provides her relief as well.

Sinus flush is different than a nasal flush. My pi is borderline too small to have it done. My specialist explained it to me as being a needle with saline or medicine solution that is inserted into the cheek so that it will flush the actual sinuses.

If there was damage done to the sinuses from bacteria or fungus, there are pits in the mucosal lining that must heal. Those pits attract bacteria and fungi which easily take hold and cause new infection. Maybe why symptoms reoccur. Vitamin A foods help heal this, and the flushes help keep these areas clean so they heal more quickly.

 

[SailBoat]

.....Why can't my Jazz stay healthy???!!! He has gone back to sneezing with mucus. He is going back to the vet this Friday. Assuming the infection hasn't come back since he's had 2 clean cultures since the treatment I previously discussed, the vet says it could be allergies, fungus, foreign objects in the sinuses, or a tumor (worst case scenario). One possible solution may be a monthly sinus flush...does anyone have experience with that with their macaw? I don't have cockatoos or any other dusty birds. I use an air purifier and humidifier in the winter. He gets probiotic daily. ...What could be getting him sick?? This poor guy has been off and on antibiotics for a year, ugh!

I wish that I had an answer regarding why you continue to see this coming back.

Another way of looking at this is to think ways of cleaning the air in your house. I have suffered from Allergies and its related problems for years. We moved into our totally new home about 18 months ago and went a bit crazy regarding clean air system. The last 18 months have been totally different and much easier for all of us.

Regarding your question: One possible solution may be a monthly sinus flush... Our Amazon has a problem with his sinuses and we are currently having his sinuses flushed every other month. The first 6 to 7 weeks are great and as we come into that 8th week, we can see a change. So, yes it is worth trying.

Prays for you and yours.