Respiratory infection?

[Scott]

Update:

Si I’ve been to the vet several times now with my sick budgie, and told her that the antibiotics weren’t working. She came to the conclusion that my budgie has some sort of fungi. I was prescribed medicine to treat his fungi. I’ll have to give him 2 drops per day for 30 days. The medicine is called itrafungol and is used for treating cats. His symptoms have already almost completely vanished. No wheezing, tail-bob etc. But he doesn’t seem okay. He’s very lethargic, quiet, won’t eat, sits mostly in one spot with his feathers puffed and eyes closed. I was aware of possible side effects like diarrhea, but not anything like this. Should I go to the vet again or are these normal side effects of the medicine?

Testing is usually required to accurately diagnose, and fungal infection is a logical next step when antibiotics are ineffective. Please keep in mind fungal treatment is long term - 30 days is a minimum.

The Merck Veterinary Manual may be of interest: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/pet-birds/mycotic-diseases-of-pet-birds Scroll down a bit to read "Aspergillosis" as one of the common fungal illnesses. Just above Aspergillosis is a box entitled "Antifungals used in pet birds." Click on the green box with arrows at lower right corner to see table of antifungal medicines. I've used Itraconazole with my flock, but am not familiar with Itrafungol. It is not in the list, but may be all your vet has to offer.

I would definitely approach the vet to better understand the symptoms observed. Please note the Merck manual is a respected resource. Many but not all mammal meds are appropriate for birds.

 

[erlabella]

Update:

Si I’ve been to the vet several times now with my sick budgie, and told her that the antibiotics weren’t working. She came to the conclusion that my budgie has some sort of fungi. I was prescribed medicine to treat his fungi. I’ll have to give him 2 drops per day for 30 days. The medicine is called itrafungol and is used for treating cats. His symptoms have already almost completely vanished. No wheezing, tail-bob etc. But he doesn’t seem okay. He’s very lethargic, quiet, won’t eat, sits mostly in one spot with his feathers puffed and eyes closed. I was aware of possible side effects like diarrhea, but not anything like this. Should I go to the vet again or are these normal side effects of the medicine?

Testing is usually required to accurately diagnose, and fungal infection is a logical next step when antibiotics are ineffective. Please keep in mind fungal treatment is long term - 30 days is a minimum.

The Merck Veterinary Manual may be of interest: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/pet-birds/mycotic-diseases-of-pet-birds Scroll down a bit to read "Aspergillosis" as one of the common fungal illnesses. Just above Aspergillosis is a box entitled "Antifungals used in pet birds." Click on the green box with arrows at lower right corner to see table of antifungal medicines. I've used Itraconazole with my flock, but am not familiar with Itrafungol. It is not in the list, but may be all your vet has to offer.

I would definitely approach the vet to better understand the symptoms observed. Please note the Merck manual is a respected resource. Many but not all mammal meds are appropriate for birds.

Sorry for the confusion.. Itrafungol is an “itraconazole oral solution”. As I have mentioned many times before she is not an avian vet They vet clinic doesn’t have many equipment specifically made for birds. I’m pretty sure the only sample she can make is a stool sample. I wish they would diagnose him properly though, he’s suffering a lot

 

[Scott]

Update:

Si I’ve been to the vet several times now with my sick budgie, and told her that the antibiotics weren’t working. She came to the conclusion that my budgie has some sort of fungi. I was prescribed medicine to treat his fungi. I’ll have to give him 2 drops per day for 30 days. The medicine is called itrafungol and is used for treating cats. His symptoms have already almost completely vanished. No wheezing, tail-bob etc. But he doesn’t seem okay. He’s very lethargic, quiet, won’t eat, sits mostly in one spot with his feathers puffed and eyes closed. I was aware of possible side effects like diarrhea, but not anything like this. Should I go to the vet again or are these normal side effects of the medicine?

Testing is usually required to accurately diagnose, and fungal infection is a logical next step when antibiotics are ineffective. Please keep in mind fungal treatment is long term - 30 days is a minimum.

The Merck Veterinary Manual may be of interest: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/pet-birds/mycotic-diseases-of-pet-birds Scroll down a bit to read "Aspergillosis" as one of the common fungal illnesses. Just above Aspergillosis is a box entitled "Antifungals used in pet birds." Click on the green box with arrows at lower right corner to see table of antifungal medicines. I've used Itraconazole with my flock, but am not familiar with Itrafungol. It is not in the list, but may be all your vet has to offer.

I would definitely approach the vet to better understand the symptoms observed. Please note the Merck manual is a respected resource. Many but not all mammal meds are appropriate for birds.

Sorry for the confusion.. Itrafungol is an “itraconazole oral solution”. As I have mentioned many times before she is not an avian vet They vet clinic doesn’t have many equipment specifically made for birds. I’m pretty sure the only sample she can make is a stool sample. I wish they would diagnose him properly though, he’s suffering a lot

Understand, and took your location into account with my response. If your budgie indeed has a fungal infection, Itraconazole should be effective if given in the proper dose over at least one month.

I know you are doing the best with a difficult situation.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I really like your energy and caring.
Thanks and admiration to our SuperScott for all his help!

 

[erlabella]

It’s currently day 10 and he’s doing a lot better. He eats and drinks as he should and his poops are more solid. However, something is wrong He’s starting to loose feathers around his eyes. He has no visible pin feathers yet, so he’s not molting. He has lost both of his main tail feathers (the long dark blue ones) and some wing feathers too (he’s still able to fly). One wing feather (primary or secondary) had a bit of dried blood on its root. I did check him and he didn’t bleed. It’s not normal for a bird to loose feathers when on antifungals right?

 

[Scott]

Good to see some progress, but unsure if you are observing side effects or something different.

Found this description of Intraconazole, includes cautions, dosing, and some side effects. Some information is redundant, but seems pages 2,3,4,17, and 19 are especially helpful. Note the cautions for dose accuracy, the margin of safety is narrow. Might wish to speak with the vet and seek a more informed opinion.

 

[erlabella]

My other budgie is starting to show some of the same symptoms as my sick one. Her tail slightly bobs along with her breathing just like my other budgie when I first noticed he was sick. Any advice? Should I wait it out or take her to the vet? Should I give her some itraconazole too (as I'm pretty sure she's infected with the same respiratory fungi as my sick budgie)?