Penny is sick, I've been holding back making a thread

[Laurasea]

on Saturday I thought I might loose Ta-dah, especially Saturday night she was so bad after diarrhea, yesterday still sleeping a lot.
Today, she has been eating at her feed bowl non stop since 6sm!! Looks so much better after her double dose azithromyacin on Sat, her yogurt, her heat panel next to her cage, and taking some baby bird formula. I will treat her with double dose azithromyacin soon and check her weight, very hopeful she will have gained.
Edit: yes! Tadah gained 1 gram now 66 should be 74
Much brighter and still eating! She has her appetite back!
OMG she just said hello sweetheart, then I love you! Awww ..furst time to say hello sweetheart!! I been calling her sweetheart since she got sick..... misty eyed now

Penny wow so vocal!! So strong!! She now flies faster, stronger, and better than she ever has in the 2 years I have had her!!!!! She learned to fly after a year with me, but she has always been a poor flyer. And would tire after a short flight. I thought this was because she was an old girl and had only been able to learn to fly and have flight feathers since I rescued her. But seeing her now! Just wow! I think she has had a chronic infection since I've had her!! So she is better than new!!!
Day 19 of recovery, weight 101 grams, azithromyacin day. She will get the full extended treatment that is required for chlamydia. She will continue with some hand feeding supplements. Veterinarian says will still be 2 weeks to be fully recovered, as she was so critical during first 2 weeks.

The flock with all get the extended azithromyacin treatment. Flock is at dsy 10 of treatment. Takes 20 days of every other azithromyacin to clear chlamydia. Take 40 days on doxyclin to clear chlamydia ( preferred treatment, but Penny was critical so azithromyacin was chosen as bactrocidal and quick acting). Chlamydia can hide in liver, spleen, kidney, for years and a bird will test negative. They only test postive when shedding the bacteria in a more active infection. Relapse is common , thats why the prolonged treatment. Re infection is also common. It can persist as contamination on cages, toys, perches, ect. All my soft toys am throwing away today. I'm going to put rope perches in gentle cycle in washing machine, then fluff no heat dry...will see how that works. Everything is getting cleaned and wiped down with dilute white vinegar in water. Vinegar can be irritating, so i go back and wipe with a just water damp cloth, then dry cloth. Veterinarian warned we have to repeat if any signs if infection after the next ten days course if finished. I will be weighing everyone daily fir a long time..

Study on chlamydia treatment with azithromyacin or doxyclin, sensitivity warnings, these parrot sacrifice for the rest of us...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20496604/

Pikachu up 1 gram to 106
Orbit up 2 to 94 ! Thst has been his normal
Today is a good day for everyone

 

[saxguy64]

WOW! Go Penny!!! Amazing progress, and wonderful care, Laura. Hugs and prayers on the way for the whole flock, but especially Ta-dah right now. You got this, little one!

 

[SailBoat]

Just cause I care; You have informed your Doctor that you are treating your flock that has Chlamydia, correct?

 

[Laurasea]

Just cause I care; You have informed your Doctor that you are treating your flock that has Chlamydia, correct?

Yep. Thank you. I happened to be sick with something else, a couple of weeks right before this happened. As it turns out I was treated with doxycycline. I did not have parrot fever symptoms, it was something else. But if I have any symptoms of anything, I will be getting tested and treated with doxycycline myself. Well worth mentions, thanks Sailboat. Before antibiotics, there was a pandemic of parrot fever in our country when parrots were first being imported. People died of the parrot fever pneumonia. And it actually what was caused the start of The National Institute of Health!!!!!! I will link that article.

 

[Laurasea]

I’m just really fascinated that this parrot fever out break happened just after our last big pandemic. And that because of this the National Institute Of Health was formed!

That one of the investigators doctors became sick, and because they didn’t have antibiotics had to be treated with an early human antibody serum from a donor....

“ Just 10 years after the end to the horrific Spanish flu pandemic, which claimed more than 600,000 American lives (and tens of millions worldwide), a new and mysterious pneumonia began to spread in the northeast.



It began when Simon Martin, a worker at the Chamber of Commerce in Annapolis, Maryland bought a parrot for his wife Lillian 10 days before Christmas.




Hoping to keep it a surprise, he enlisted his daughter (Edith) and son-in-law (Lee) to keep the bird until Christmas day, but by Christmas Eve, the bird began to show signs of illness.



By morning, in a scene reminiscent of a Monty Python sketch, they had a late parrot on their hands.



Unfortunately, by New Years, Lillian, Edith & Lee were all seriously ill. A local doctor, who had read about a parrot fever outbreak in South America, put the pieces together about a week later.



In no time, newspapers had the story, and the country – still reeling from the Stock Market crash of October – and with memories of the 1918 Spanish Flu still relatively fresh – suddenly began to fear a new pandemic was on the way.



“ After a week of screaming headlines, the newspapers did an about-face and began to ridicule the story – even going so as to begin printing parrot jokes. Overnight the Polly Pandemic became a national joke.



But the investigative work continued.



Within a week, the story would take horrific turn, as a number of the investigators began to fall seriously ill.



Several of them died.



On February 8th, lead investigator Charles Armstrong was admitted to the hospital with a 104 degree fever. George McCoy, director of the US Public Health Services’ very small and underfunded Hygienic lab, took over and in a daring move created a serum (this was before antibiotics were available) from the blood of a recovered patient, which he gave to Armstrong.



Armstrong would recover, and eventually wrote that there had been 169 cases of parrot fever nationwide, along with 33 deaths (including Dr. Daniel S. Hatfield and Dr. William Stokes of the Baltimore Health Department, and Henry (Shorty) Anderson of the Hygienic Lab) “
https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-parrot-fever-changed-public-health.html?m=1

The 1929–1930 psittacosis pandemic, also known as the psittacosis outbreak of 1929–1930 and the great parrot fever pandemic,[2] was a series of simultaneous outbreaks of psittacosis (parrot fever) which, accelerated by the breeding and transportation of birds in crowded containers for the purpose of trade, was initially seen to have its origin in parrots from South America. It was shortly found to have spread from several species of birds from several countries worldwide to humans between mid 1929 and early 1930. Diagnosed by its clinical features and link to birds, it affected around 750 to 800 people globally, with a mortality of 15%. Its mode of transmission to humans by mouth-to-beak contact or inhaling dried bird secretions and droppings was not known at the time. The cause, Chlamydia psittaci, which usually remains dormant in birds until activated by stress of capture and confinement, was discovered after the pandemic. “

“ The impact of the outbreak on the U.S. Hygienic Laboratory, with 16 of its workers affected, including two deaths, led to the formation of the National Institute of Health. “
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1929–1930_psittacosis_pandemic

 

[Scott]

Great article, Laura! Antibiotics one of the great breakthroughs of 20th Century science!

Glad to see the roller coaster smooth out, hope Tah-dah is over the hurdle!

 

[LaManuka]

I'm so pleased to know that Penny is so much stronger! But my heart just about stopped to read how sick Ta-dah has been. She is after all my favourite Floridian niece!! Now you be a good girlie and keep eating and taking your meds, I'm sending positive, healthy vibes your way, sweet one!

 

[Laurasea]

I'm so pleased to know that Penny is so much stronger! But my heart just about stopped to read how sick Ta-dah has been. She is after all my favourite Floridian niece!! Now you be a good girlie and keep eating and taking your meds, I'm sending positive, healthy vibes your way, sweet one!

Thank you I will special let her know her auntie wishes her a speedy recovery.

I have made lots of mistakes throughout this
.
Like not acting sooner on Ta-dah not gaining any weight back.

I kept making comments that she wasn't gaining, but I didn't take any action. At first her behavior was so great, I kept thinking she would show weight gaining....but I'm going keep saying this, Birds HIDE being sick, they can't hide that weight loss!!! Or NOT gaining that weight back!

Then she lost 3 more grams in 2 days, developed green urine followed by diarrhea. Started napping ( no fluffing) then letting her head hanging long like a slinky straight down on her chest, a sign of weakness. Then Saturday night her behavior was bizarre, sge was weaving her head back and forth over and over and over, like neurological. Maybe electrolytes imbalance from diarrhea, or low blood glucose, or dehydration. She also would go and just cling to the side of the cage bars rather than perching fir hours nit moving....My vet was very worried about dehydration. So that night I grabbed her and gave her 1.5ml water. Very slowly. They can choke on water easily as has low viscosity. If I would have had apple juice, I would hsve used that. Still slowly. But has added benefits of some sugar.

My veterinarian review everything. Determined she had prescribed Ta-dah azithromyacin on the lowest end of dosing, because her weight made these small doses of medicine harder. So we upped her dose. Also she needed more TLC like heat, which I had on Penny at the time. Now is on Ta-dah !

Plus I think Ta-dah was having more stomach upset from the medicine. An individual thing. I had stopped giving yogurt. Giving her yogurt made her feel better and improved her poop. My veterinarian in now a bigger believer in the benefits. I have always had a good response to yogurt. I will not doubt my experience with it again.

When your sick parrot isn't improving as expected. Discuss it with your veterinarian.

Its been hard having 7 sick at the same time, it made me missing stuff on one...

Yes I have made lots of missteps... and yes I have done lots of things right too. I'm trying to share both with everybody.

Also we are thinking again that it was Blue Boy the parakeet that had escaped from someone, and I helped rescue and took in. He was using a bird bath for water. And could have picked up wild bird chlamydia. Then he was on antibiotics at first, so maybe had a chance to partially beat it, and became a shedding. He is the only bird in the whole house that didn't get sick with this. The other budgies lost 7 grams. He stayed at 39-40 his normal. Everybody else lost weight... yes Penny got sick first...but I think she had a different chronic infection that made her a target.....or it was her that had it and started shedding...and Blue Boy just didn't get sick...IDK...

 

[Laurasea]

A little side note. Baytril doesn't treat chlamydia. And chlamydia is one of tge more common infections that can cause respiratory infections, sinus infection, sometimes causes eye symptoms, or Gastrointestinal I symptoms in birds. A lot if burds can carry chlamydia as a hidden chronic infection, fir years then break with it.

Obviously chlamydia isn't the only infection out there, . And other medications are needed for different infections.

In my opinion, and many veterinarians as well , baytril us over used. Its often the first choice just given to parrots. If the veterinarian isn't sure of the cause of infection and just want to throw baytril at it and see what happens. Maybe discuss using doxycycline instead with your veterinarian. Also I hadn't ever heard if amoxicillin used in parrots before. It is listed in the parrot drug source i found . In a recent discussion with my avian veterinarian, she never uses it. And there is some thought amoxicillin is ineffective in parrots. ( I will look and see if I find anything on that. There are many ways to practice medicine, just like in human medicine. This is just food for thought, and falls under experience abd opinion.

Now the article on baytril.
https://www.ftbrescue.com/post/2018/02/09/baytril-truth-consequences

One study on certain infections shows amoxicillin was not effective in treatment.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378113506004664

 

[Littleredbeak]

I am so happy your birds are all doing well and on the mend.. Multiple points during your posts I wanted to cry- I can only imagine how you must have been feeling. This thread has been a “roller coaster”. You are incredible person who clearly loves and are dedicated to your birds. Not only did you have seriously ill birds but were also under the weather. I am glad you have an amazing vet and great relationship with her- even with all that it was your devotion to your birds that help them recover. I learned a lot from your thread and appreciate you taking the time to document your journey so others like myself could learn through your experience. Thank you ��

 

[Laurasea]

Everything seems to be turning around and improving! Adding back a thumbnail size if yogurt twice a day seems to have helped everyone bellies and appetite.
Ta-dah this morning!! I only let her out for little breaks, otherwise still caged with heat panel on her.n

Ta-dah up 1 more gram to 67! Yippee just gotta get back to 74

Penny holding at her new high if 101 grams

Pikachu up 107 grams

Penny day 20, no supplemental heat any more, only hand feeding morning and night for a total of about 10 ml the rest she eats her normal diet on her own . Because the rest
of the flock got sick and started medication 8 days later, she will continue on azithromyacin with the rest of the flock till they finish their 20 days of treatment.

Budgies continue to do well still on treatment.

 

[Jen5200]

Yay Ta-Dah .

 

[Squeekmouse]

Oooh how wonderful!! Such sweet pictures! It's great to see happy news!

 

[LaManuka]

Great to see my favourite niece chowing down on the good stuff Laura! Everyone is looking so bright and beautiful :smile015:

 

[Ellie777Australia]

Laura, I'm sure that quite a few of us wanted to cry many times during this thread just as Littleredbeak expressed. It has been a great relief to read your update this morning. Well done my friend.

 

[Laurasea]

I am so Happy!!! I really didn't think I could save Penny......I told myself when she starts eating on her own, then we won!!! 21 one days of medicine ( 1st day was doxyclin), 10 dsys of hand feeding formula.. one sinus flushing.......I just can't believe we did it!!!!!

I almost lost Ta-dah too....I didn't react quickly enough on her failures to thrive and turn around..
But after bump in her medicine, heat, yogurt, she has bounced back...a lot of weight to gain back still... but she is non stop eating !!!

Thank you all so much I need you all on this journey!!!!

This thread will keep going fir 10 more days until medication is finished on this chlamydia outbreak, I'm cleaning like mad to hopefully prevent a relapse...

Vet feels nearly 100% wild bird chlamydia ( and a very lethal one at that),brought in by Blue Boy .....If so I have no regrets that poor baby needed saving....... he never got sick this time,, as he had doxyclin that first week and he fought it off, but became a shedding of the bacteria.., but he is still getting the full 20 day treatment, as is the whole flock it takes to clear chlamydia from. Hiding in organs like liver and spleen......and maybe sharing this horrible flock illness will help many other parrots

 

[bug_n_flock]

The best possible update. So happy for you and your flock!!!!! They could not have beaten this without your incredible nursing skills, going above and beyond to do everything possible that might help. Amazing job!

 

[Laurasea]

The best possible update. So happy for you and your flock!!!!! They could not have beaten this without your incredible nursing skills, going above and beyond to do everything possible that might help. Amazing job!

Thank you!
I made mistakes, but I fought from the top of my head to the tips of my toes to save her!!! I'm feeling very emotional....
My vet told me today the antibiotics alone wouldn't have saved her, that it was everything I did that saved her.... I w as thinking her her and praising my vet because she deserves it! We were in constant contact. The life saving knowledge on the newer use of azithromyacin she has because she knew Penny was outta time saved her!!!. But she still emphasized without me it would have been meaningless. Made me cry.
But ideas fir a thank you gift for my vet???,

 

[Ellie777Australia]

The best possible update. So happy for you and your flock!!!!! They could not have beaten this without your incredible nursing skills, going above and beyond to do everything possible that might help. Amazing job!

Thank you!
I made mistakes, but I fought from the top of my head to the tips of my toes to save her!!! I'm feeling very emotional....
My vet told me today the antibiotics alone wouldn't have saved her, that it was everything I did that saved her.... I w as thinking her her and praising my vet because she deserves it! We were in constant contact. The life saving knowledge on the newer use of azithromyacin she has because she knew Penny was outta time saved her!!!. But she still emphasized without me it would have been meaningless. Made me cry.
But ideas fir a thank you gift for my vet???,

Your vet is spot on Laura, YOU saved your flock. The medications were useless without your administration of them and your excellent nursing care, including the immediate actions taken as soon as you observed signs and symptoms indicating the need for intervention.

 

[fiddlejen]

...
But ideas fir a thank you gift for my vet???,

Painting or drawing of your flock?