Want to start on probiotics...Advice?

[birdlady91]

I have a 5 month old GCC who weighs about 65g. He eats Zupreem Natural, Nutriberries and some fruits/veggies (unfortunately not enough but I give him at least something fresh everyday). I just bought Harrison's brand food online and am going to try converting him to that since it is organic and apparently healthier. I'm really paranoid at all times that he'll get sick bc it seems like parrots get sick at the drop of a hat.


I just bought a few things to prevent sickness but thought I would ask you all your advice before I give him anything. Could there be side effects that hurt him?

this probiotic: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petco.../quiko-probiotic-digestive-support-supplement

Vetriscience DMG: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petco...aboratories-vetri-dmg-dog-cat-and-bird-liquid

And also apple cider vinegar.


Would this help prevent bacterial gut/stomach/kidney infections?

I went to the vet about a month ago for a checkup and everything was fine. I'm most concerned that these things can somehow hurt him or poison him. I don't want to give him anything unless I know others have had success. Is this worth making another vet appt? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[SailBoat]

There are members that believe that whether for Humans, Birds, etc... Probiotics are the answer to numerous issues. Others will advise fully against using any aftermarket products. Still others will state that unless the (in this case your) Bird has completed a fully spectrum blood test and specific problems need to be addressed then with guidance proceed.

If the Vet your Bird visited is a Certified Avian Vet and completed a Full Spectrum Blood screen, I would recommended that you ask your CAV what you should be providing.

 

[MonicaMc]

Huh... didn't know that Petco sold Vetri-DMG.

My vet swears by the DMG. It's not a probiotic, but it is supposed to help the immune system, and as per her, you can't overdose this stuff. I only have one bird that likes it, although I haven't tried it with the fosters.

 

[EllenD]

I've been giving my birds a daily probiotic supplement for years, and the Qwiko powdered one is one that I've used. You just sprinkle it on their dry food once daily...Probiotics do not protect against Bacterial Infections, but rather against Fungal Infections.

Here's the way I look at Probiotics...They can't hurt, as they consist of the same healthy, normal flora that is found throughout their GI Tracts naturally. I definitely recommend giving them a Probiotic any time they are diagnosed with a Bacterial Infection and put on any type of Antibiotic, as all Antibiotics kill-off all of the normal flora throughout their GI Tracts, and these normal flora are what naturally protect them against Fungal Infections...So because they do no harm and are simply an extension of the normal flora they have naturally occurring, then why not...I've never had a bird with a Fungal Infection, so there ya go...But again, does nothing to protect against Bacterial Infections...

As far as the DMG goes, there are some people who swear by it, some who don't...I have never used it for myself or my birds, but again, I don't know of any negative outcomes when it is used...

I don't think the statement that "birds get sick at the drop of a hat" is at all accurate though. Birds are extremely hardy creatures, and as long as their immune systems are in good-shape, they are usually able to fight-off all infections without us ever knowing they had one...However, since a lot of pet bird owners feed crappy diets, like an all-seed diet from Walmart, etc., then it's other conditions like Fatty Liver Disease, Kidney Disease, and the resulting weakened immune system that results in them being more-susceptible to all types of infections...Just like people...So making sure they get a healthy, low-fat, varied diet, lots of exercise and stimulation, etc. is the best way you can protect against them contracting a microbial disease, as well as other chronic issues...

 

[noodles123]

I give my bird 1/4 tsp of Benebac (sp?) powder mixed into a small amount of oatmeal in the morning and evening. The vet said up to 1/2 tsp per day for an umbrella cockatoo. She doesn't seem to notice it when mixed with mushy food, but doesn't like it just sprinkled on stuff. Some less picky birds might be okay with that though. You can also mix it with water, but I never know how much mine really drinks, so I find wet food to be the easiest.

 

[EllenD]

I give my bird 1/4 tsp of Benebac (sp?) powder mixed into a small amount of oatmeal in the morning and evening. The vet said up to 1/2 tsp per day for an umbrella cockatoo. She doesn't seem to notice it when mixed with mushy food, but doesn't like it just sprinkled on stuff. Some less picky birds might be okay with that though. You can also mix it with water, but I never know how much mine really drinks, so I find wet food to be the easiest.

Bene Bac is a wonderful probiotic supplement...Though I've not ever used the powder formulation, but rather the Bene Bac that comes in a tube and is a already in paste-form. I actually prefer this to the powder you sprinkle on their food myself, though I tend to tweak the probiotic supplement I'm giving them, depending on the situation. For just their regular, daily dose of probiotics, either form of Bene Bac, Qwiko powder, etc. is fine, and whatever way you can get your individual bird to take it is fine. Applesauce, Oatmeal, and Fruit Juices seem to work well for both probiotics and for giving medications that taste awful...

However, if I've got a bird or more often a Bearded Dragon with a Gastrointestinal Tract infection, parasite, impaction, or upset of any kind, that's when I break-out the big guns, lol. I have a human supplement called "Digestive Enzymes w/Probiotics" that is a mix of both several different strains of Prebiotics and Probiotics, but it also contains around 10 or so naturally-occurring Digestive Enzymes of the GI Tract, from the mouth and crop all the way through to the distal intestines (Amylase, Lipase, etc.) So if they are having running poop, upset or swollen GI Tract, or they are on any type of medication that can upset their GI Tracts, the combination of the Probiotics and the natural Digestive Enzymes not only protects against a secondary fungal infection, but it also tends to keep them hungry and eating/drinking, keeps them having normal bowel movements, from losing any weight, and of course this also keeps their strength up and keeps their immune systems strong. I hate to not see my birds, bearded dragon, or my dogs not eating or drinking as much when they are sick, and this particular supplement works wonders for this...And the best part is that is only cost about $6 and is available at any Walmart in the vitamin/mineral/supplement aisle, made by Spring Valley.

I always see people buying these horribly expensive Probiotic supplements that are usually found in the aisle that contains all the laxatives, castor oil, enemas, Pepto, Maloxx, Mylanta, etc., like the "Pearls" and such that cost between $20-$50 a bottle/box...That's nuts! If you look at the contents of most of these really expensive probiotics/prebiotics, they are no more helpful than a container of yogurt is! And certainly not any better than a much cheaper bottle of Acidophilus and Bifidis...Sooo, when i found this "Digestive Enzyme with Probiotics" I was thrilled, and that was years ago. I've used this stuff for my birds, my Bearded Dragon (if you have an impacted Beardie, this is the stuff, I'm tellin' ya, you'll have a poop in less than 12 hours after giving it to them), and actually myself too. I crush a table in a mortar/pestle and then either sprinkle it on their food, or I mix it in something like Baby Food, Oatmeal, Applesauce, Fruit Juice, etc. Just depends on the animal and the situation...works wonders.

 

[Scott]

This thread has motivated me to seek advice from my CAV; we've never discussed probiotics.

Take heart from Ellen's statement that "birds are extremely hardy creatures..." The caveat is of course a baseline of good dietary, environmental, and husbandry practices. Feeding a crappy diet, not changing the cage substrate (paper, etc) cooking with Teflon and similar wares, etc, are not conducive to great health and longevity.