Doxycycline/Dex - Your Opinions or Experience

[BoomBoom]

Hi Everyone. I had to see a different A-Vet today because my regular A-Vet was booked for a whole week. My 5 yr old parakeet, Pewpew was vomiting whole seeds last night.

I gave the new vet the full medical history. When he found out my regular vet gave him Doxycycline/Dex for a bout of vomiting back in 2018, he was shocked/disturbed. He said this is a steriod that would make fatty liver disease worse which he was 100% sure Pewpew has. Regular vet didn't think Pewpew had fatty liver.

My vet used this twice on Boomer, my 8 yr old sun conure in the past, once for vomiting and another for an infection that showed up during an annual culture test. He also used it on my parakeet, Eight, but it didn't help him and later he died of sepsis.

I did a search and it seems to be widely used for birds albeit reserved for severe infections that other antibiotics failed to resolve. I wanted to know if your vet has ever used Doxycycline/Dex on your birds? Do they have a negative/positive opinion of it?

 

[Scott]

I've used Doxycycline injections for a male Goffins after infection diagnosis with high white blood cell count. One dose every few days for about 10 days. Cured the problem, no noticeable side effects noted.

Interesting difference of opinions by avian vets. If in the same practice, perhaps they can work towards a joint diagnosis. Fatty Liver Disease is quite common in many species. Here's a generalized narrative: Fatty Liver Disease

 

[riddick07]

I’ve used doxycycline at the shelter many times. It’s a broad spectrum antibiotic. Very effective for most bacterial infections. It was always first choice for use in the water for minor ris that cropped up. The vet had us keep a bag (powder version) on hand because running over for every little thing would have been non stop. I even have bag here but it’s a bit expired now. Last used on the rats for an ri issue 2 years ago.

Dexamethasone (I think is the dex part) is a steroid. I know the name and probably used it but honestly can not remember the circumstance.

Side note. It does seem weird that your regular vet seems to throws steroids (if this is the combo every time) at every single issue that crops up. Doxy by itself is a pretty normal option though.

 

[BoomBoom]

Thank you for your responses. Doxy does seem widely used by vets on birds.

I wonder why my new vet wasn't too happy that my old vet used it on Pew back in 2018 for his vomiting. I think it's more on the fact that he didn't think Pew needed it. That he was vomiting not because he had infection but because fatty liver disease (FLD) was causing his seeds not to digest properly. He mentioned that seeds stay in the crop for too long because of digestion issues on account of FLD. The seeds in the crop has nowhere to go so bird vomits it out. I may have gotten some details wrong but that's the general idea of his explanation.

Thought I'd share it in case someone finds this information helpful in the future.

 

[BoomBoom]

PS. Thank you, Scott for that link. I read it last night and was so informative. It's going in my bookmarks.

 

[Scott]

PS. Thank you, Scott for that link. I read it last night and was so informative. It's going in my bookmarks.

Members have suggested liquid aloe is helpful for treating FLD. Fairly high doses, and of a specific type. If interested, do a search and you'll come up with a lot of information.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Just to mention that I never had vomiting with Plum who had FLD, any seeds were digested properly. There is however another disease where seeds are not digested. Liquid Aloe cannot hurt except that owners put all their faith in it being a miracle cure, it is not! The things that do help are a change of diet, plenty of fresh foods, sprouts and exercise to ensure they are not sedentary. My AV didnt want Plum to have any seed at all or my female who came home with the same problem. Unfortunately Plum died of a related FLD illness but my female is clear, her blood Cholesterol and Triglyceride counts are now normal and were sky high. My female possibly had not had high counts for very long and her liver is back to normal size. Milk Thistle is a good addition to a birds diet, most of the Aloe concoctions contain this and my AV did in fact give me for Plum. Birds with FLD are usually low in B vitamins, The Birdcare Co produce a probiotic which contains B vitamins (Biotin/Choline etc). It is better to give them in natural foods. I feel that it is worth researching Omega 3 and 6 foods, one causes inflammation and needs care when feeding, there is enough inflammation with FLD dont need inadvertently causing more.


Plum was given Marbocyl, Vivitonin, Lactulose by my AV.

 

[BoomBoom]

Plumsmum, thank you for all that helpful info! I'm sorry to hear about Plum and her FLD I don't know how long I have with Pewpew. I'll do my best to make the changes my new vet instructed and hope for the best.

I was hoping you could share some more info on the following:

1) Are Marbocyl, Vivitonin, Lactulose long term supplements or medication?

2) I've used milk thistle powder before, mixing it with their dry food. Good to know your vet okay'ed it. How did you used to serve it to Plum?

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hi Plum was on the three meds for a specified period, after a spell of being unwell.


Milk Thistle seeds can be given, I soak overnight and then give my flock periodically. The milk thistle my AV gave me, Plum didnt like at all. It was greasy and smelt awful. Think it was a general one mainly for dogs? Clear what you give with your AV, you need to work together.


The biggest most important thing is good, fresh foods, I added beetroot to chop as it is a cleanser, oats too. The food was my main focus with my female RB2 who is now ok.


Plum had FLD a lot longer or even as my AV said possibly from a baby. There may have been some genetic involvement. I don't know, just wish I had been savvy enough sooner.

A liver that is suffering from FLD is under stress and meds although can help the bird can have a negative effect on the liver and this is worth bearing in mind. I wish you luck hun.

(The B vitamins are important as Plum was given injections of these on every admission as he was low on them.)


Is there no doubt that PewPew doesnt have PDD, is the Provenculus enlarged? Plum never had any trouble digesting food, on down spells it came out the other end as a slimy mess but never undigested.

 

[Ivan.Vanca]

Despite I did not understand your post, I will try to reply. Doxycycline is used on chlamydia or mycoplassmosis for 45 days to treat. But, Dr. Ross Perry told me that it need not be effective for every bird with this... If your bird has any bacteria, the sensitivity test should be done before giving antibiotics.... what does your bird suffer? doxycycline would not heal the fatty liver by my mind. Try hepactur or something like that.