Probiotic Powder as Supplement for Birds?

[BoomBoom]

Hi everyone. My young sun conure had a very close call this weekend. He was vomiting clear, slimy liquid in huge amounts. It was not regurgitation. He was very weak and sleepy. The vet injected him with a broad spectrum antibiotic and gave me oral Baytril and Yeast medication to administer to him. He is doing a lot better now.


I am trying to figure out why he vomited. I am very careful and aware of toxic foods and elements in the house, nothing new was introduced, so I am ruling these common causes out. I have considered bacterial infection from me (I was sick), bad food (eggs I bought may have been bad), or crop infection (symptoms are highly similar in other birds).


I read that probiotics are good to give birds who are undergoing antibiotic treatment. Since the antibiotic kills not only kills the bad bacteria but the good bacteria, it is important to get back the balance in a bird's system. Now I also ran across articles where people swear by probiotic powder to give to birds as a preventative measure. This means giving it them as a regular supplement to help encourage good bacteria in his system.


Does anyone have any experience or knowledge to share on this? Anyone ever use probiotic powder or the more commonly accessible bene-bac gel? I would greatly appreciate any input. Thank you!

 

[GaryBV]

I've never used a probiotic supplement for my birds but I do know you are correct that some meds can kill both good and 'bad' bacteria as I've experienced that myself personally. I would be hestitant to use the supplement, but I'm as anxious as you to hear what other people have to say on the subject, perhaps with direct knowledge of the subject, but I do know that people do give their birds a little yogurt in some situations like this, and that Greek yogurt in particular is better because it has less lactose than regular yogurt so that might be something you might consider and it definitely has probiotic qualities.