Help Administering Medicine Drops

[LauraC]

Fuji, my Moustache Parakeet, has been having high BA (Bile Acid) readings which can be a sign of liver issues. My certified avian vet has prescribed Opt Omega drops two times a day. Fuji HATES them. He bites me terribly when I towel him for the drops.

This morning he clamped down on the bottle and chewed off the top with the narrow end that allowed me to get small drops in his mouth. I am going to try a siringe tonight but I am worried he will do the same thing.

We are going back to the vet on Friday for a retest of his blood. I am going to ask him for suggestions too as my vet thinks I will have to give him drops for life.

Fuji shows no signs of any health issues. I hate seeing him so miserable when I do the drops. And, to think I may have to do this for life.

Any suggestions on how to get the drops into him? It cannot go in his water. When I try putting it in food he just flicks the food.

Thanks!

 

[clark_conure]

Sometimes like wing clipping or a shot or a blood test you just need to ..."give them their medicine". You said it's a prescription from a CVA. I'd put on some tight but thick but dexterous gloves, hardware stores have the type, and give him his medicine.

I know it sucks.....clark hates some things we have to do like say trimming his wings so it's only a float down amount of lift. But it's his health, He will forgive you, just force it down any way you can and in the end he'll just delete all your bookmarks in retaliation someday. You have to do what you have to do for his health.

 

[Teddscau]

So, are the drops to treat liver problems or the bile itself? If it's for a poorly functioning liver, I'd just buy the Liver Detox by Avian Rx or Birds Rx (I forget what the stupid brand's called, but you know what I mean). It has dandelion root extract and milk thistle in it. I put a ton of it in their water everyday (several budgies have cancer, so I use the dandelion root extract to help keep it in check).

If he's step up trained or whatever, you can ask him to take the omega drops willingly. Get a syringe, fill it with his favourite juice, demonstrate on yourself several times by squirting it into your mouth, then squeeze a little bit onto the tip of the syringe and see if he'll lick it off. After he reliably drinks juice from the syringe, put his daily dose of omega drops in the syringe, add a bit of juice, then ask him to drink from the syringe.

Alternatively, you can just use my system. Birds hate taking medicine (as you know), and they throw a fit when you try to restrain them. That's why I have someone else hold the bird and restrain their head, while I carefully squeeze the medicine into their mouth. Oh! I'd advise you to taste some of the drops. I always do this with my birds' medicine. That way you know just how disgusting it is. If it's pretty bland and a bit salty, I just suck up the medicine with a syringe, add a bit of water (my guys are puny so they only take tiny amounts of medicine, so I mix in some water to increase the chances of them swallowing some of it), then squirt it in their mouth. If it's absolutely disgusting, then I suck up the dose of medicine, suck up a bit of melted So Delicious vegan ice cream, then squirt it in their mouth. If it's just moderately unpleasant, I'll dilute it with maple syrup or juice. Obviously you don't mix the "extras" directly into the medicine bottle, in case anyone's confused. If you mix it right into the bottle, you're going to end up with rancid medicine.

 

[clark_conure]

Teddscau's idea is good, if it works....try that first...

 

[dhraiden]

Liver Detox by Avian Rx or Birds Rx (I forget what the stupid brand's called, but you know what I mean)

Herbal Bird Rx Milk Thistle/Dandelion [Amazon, BirdSupplies, MyBirdStore]

If you provide those, let your vet (or another you goto for a 2nd op) know and have them advise on dosage prescribed accordingly.

 

[Teddscau]

Thank you, dhraiden! I can never remember the brand of that stuff. You'd think I would since I've spent almost $1000 these past few years on the stuff. I'm obviously dosing at a much higher concentration than they recommend, but my cancer budgies are still alive, so I must be doing something right.

Having birds voluntarily take the medicine is definitely easier with larger birds. The smaller birds tend to be more hyperactive and skittish (i.e., budgies and finches), so good luck trying to get them to cooperate. Don't get me wrong, small birds are great. It's just that they're twitchier.

 

[Scott]

Some meds must be given directly, but others can be safely mixed with a food that is enjoyed. My vet has approved most oral meds mixed with warm oatmeal or applesauce. Dosage is critical, so the amount of food is very small to ensure it is completely consumed. Many of my birds love cooked cereals, and this method is far preferable to force-feeding. Ask Fuji's vet for appropriate guidance!

 

[SailBoat]

Great advise provided above!

I must admit that I had laughed a bit with your small bird description; "It's just that they're twitchier." Our 500g. of Amazon is a real twitchier! It takes two people to provide any medication and three with clipping nails!

I have been doing this stuff for a very long time. Every time, we get a medication to apply, I always ask for it to be written into the visit report (which I get a copy of 'every time!), and always ask for a refresher. Commonly, we had just finished a nail trim and everyone is huffing and puffing for a breath of air after that workout and no one questions the want.

Please advise your Vet of any other over the counter or herbs and their dosages and assure that it is part of your Parrot's medical records!

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

WOW!
i am going thru the same issue right now.


My Abba is forty and I hate to put her thru this twice a day.

I dont have to towel her, just hold her wings to her body and when she bites the syringe I squirt it in her mouth. I would never get away with this with my other Amazon he would bite the crap out of my hands.

Abba is so bonded to me that she even gives me her little feetsies to clip her nails while on a perch.

 

[SailBoat]

WOW!
i am going thru the same issue right now.


My Abba is forty and I hate to put her thru this twice a day.

I dont have to towel her, just hold her wings to her body and when she bites the syringe I squirt it in her mouth. I would never get away with this with my other Amazon he would bite the crap out of my hands.

Abba is so bonded to me that she even gives me her little feetsies to clip her nails while on a perch.

Some People Have All The Luck!!!

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

[/quote]
Some People Have All The Luck!!! [/QUOTE]

I really think it was cause Abba's first parront was a fourteen year old girl, who must have given my bird so much love early in her life.

 

[LauraC]

So, are the drops to treat liver problems or the bile itself? If it's for a poorly functioning liver, I'd just buy the Liver Detox by Avian Rx or Birds Rx (I forget what the stupid brand's called, but you know what I mean). It has dandelion root extract and milk thistle in it. I put a ton of it in their water everyday (several budgies have cancer, so I use the dandelion root extract to help keep it in check).

If he's step up trained or whatever, you can ask him to take the omega drops willingly. Get a syringe, fill it with his favourite juice, demonstrate on yourself several times by squirting it into your mouth, then squeeze a little bit onto the tip of the syringe and see if he'll lick it off. After he reliably drinks juice from the syringe, put his daily dose of omega drops in the syringe, add a bit of juice, then ask him to drink from the syringe.

Alternatively, you can just use my system. Birds hate taking medicine (as you know), and they throw a fit when you try to restrain them. That's why I have someone else hold the bird and restrain their head, while I carefully squeeze the medicine into their mouth. Oh! I'd advise you to taste some of the drops. I always do this with my birds' medicine. That way you know just how disgusting it is. If it's pretty bland and a bit salty, I just suck up the medicine with a syringe, add a bit of water (my guys are puny so they only take tiny amounts of medicine, so I mix in some water to increase the chances of them swallowing some of it), then squirt it in their mouth. If it's absolutely disgusting, then I suck up the dose of medicine, suck up a bit of melted So Delicious vegan ice cream, then squirt it in their mouth. If it's just moderately unpleasant, I'll dilute it with maple syrup or juice. Obviously you don't mix the "extras" directly into the medicine bottle, in case anyone's confused. If you mix it right into the bottle, you're going to end up with rancid medicine.

b


Not really sure if he is treating the bile or liver, I think he wants to get the bile reading down. We did X-rays and thankfully his liver looked fine (i.e. not enlarged).

 

[LauraC]

Liver Detox by Avian Rx or Birds Rx (I forget what the stupid brand's called, but you know what I mean)

Herbal Bird Rx Milk Thistle/Dandelion [Amazon, BirdSupplies, MyBirdStore]

If you provide those, let your vet (or another you goto for a 2nd op) know and have them advise on dosage prescribed accordingly.

I asked about the milk thistle and the dandelions and for now he does not want me to use any of the herbal medicines.

 

[dhraiden]

You know what, this thread inspired me to order some Milk Thistle for MYSELF (from Vitacost). I hope it does me some good! (This is no way detracts from the above post - avian vet advice always supercedes mine own.)

 

[LordTriggs]

an Idea I saw someone do was they got some fresh apple juice in a small spoon and put each drop in there, suddenly their bird loved the medicine. Though it's sugary ETCETC it might be a less stressful way to give the medicine and means that you can have some fun. If Fuji doesn't care for the spoon you can try putting it into the syringe

 

[Teddscau]

WOW!
i am going thru the same issue right now.


My Abba is forty and I hate to put her thru this twice a day.

I dont have to towel her, just hold her wings to her body and when she bites the syringe I squirt it in her mouth. I would never get away with this with my other Amazon he would bite the crap out of my hands.

Abba is so bonded to me that she even gives me her little feetsies to clip her nails while on a perch.

I've been medicating my kākāriki for almost an entire year. It's...not fun. Well, I don't have to medicate sweet little Ria anymore since she's gone to heaven

 

[LauraC]

WOW!
i am going thru the same issue right now.


My Abba is forty and I hate to put her thru this twice a day.

I dont have to towel her, just hold her wings to her body and when she bites the syringe I squirt it in her mouth. I would never get away with this with my other Amazon he would bite the crap out of my hands.

Abba is so bonded to me that she even gives me her little feetsies to clip her nails while on a perch.

I've been medicating my kākāriki for almost an entire year. It's...not fun. Well, I don't have to medicate sweet little Ria anymore since she's gone to heaven

So sorry for your loss.

 

[LauraC]

an Idea I saw someone do was they got some fresh apple juice in a small spoon and put each drop in there, suddenly their bird loved the medicine. Though it's sugary ETCETC it might be a less stressful way to give the medicine and means that you can have some fun. If Fuji doesn't care for the spoon you can try putting it into the syringe

Unfortunately Fuji doesn’t like apple juice. We go to the vet today so I am hoping he will have some suggestions. I always get so nervous before his vet appointment. Prays for a good visit are much appreciated.

 

[Aquila]

I'm lucky that most of my birds will eat from a spoon, so I usually mix meds in with a little bit of applesauce. My vet also recommended dropping it into a small piece of pound cake (crouton sized) and most birds will go for that as well. For ones that won't eat that stuff, I aim the syringe from the right corner of the mouth across, as if you were doing hand feeding so they don't choke. My vet also said even if you can get some drops in the bottom beak, they'll usually swallow a good portion of it.