Very sick Collared Dove

[amyable]

Hi,

When I first saw this bird in the aviary I thought it was an injury to the eye.
It's one eye is gunged up and it has no vision from this one.
Other eye looks ok.

Someone thought it might have been cat caught, but I really have no definite info on it's background.

On getting it home, I've put it on heat and started it on Noroclav (Synulox).

While I was treating it I noticed it has a 'wet' noise when it's breathing. Once relaxed in it's box I can't hear it, so it's obviously worse when stressed.

I've been reading up to try and find a diagnosis. The symptoms of Ornithosis seem to fit which is a bit worrying, but there could be other causes of these problems.

Any thoughts and suggestions on possible treatment would be appreciated.

Thanks

Janet

Janet

[plamenh]

Start her on Doxycicline for 5 days, 2 days vitamins and probiotics and another 5 days Doxycicline. If you can get Doxy-T it is even beter. Remove grit and any calcium sources while on AB. Dose in the water bur crop medicate with fluids to make sure she gets the dose.

[amyable]

Hi,

Unfortunately the only thing I have to hand is Tylan but no Doxy, which can only be got from a vet here unfortunately. Is that worth trying on it's own for respiratory problems as I'm not sure if I can get any Doxy, unless I can find a vet that will see her tomorrow.

Apart from that I only have Baytril and and small amount of Flagyl to hand.

Janet

[plamenh]

Doxy-T is Doxycicline+Tylan

Tetracycline drug (Terramycin, Aeuromycin, Tetracycline , or Doxycycline)--good for respiratory infections; best when used in combination with Tylan. One usually has no distinct advantage over the other and they share a common spectrum of activity. With the exception of Doxycycline, they are all available over the counter as poultry preparations. Use 4 teaspoonsful per gallon of the regular strength or 2 teaspoonsful per gallon of the concentrate. Doxycyline is dosed at 500-1000mg per gallon. Use these for 7-14 days.

Tylan--use as mentioned above, in combination with a tetracycline for respiratory infections. Tylan powder is dosed at 1-2 teaspoonsful per gallon. Individual dose at 50 mg per pigeon per day.

You could start Tylan only and see if you can get Doxy-T. Here in SA is over the counter drug you can get in most of the pet shops.

[plamenh]

Just a thought - Terracortril oinment will do good for the eye infection.

[amyable]

Is Tylan ok with Synulox that you know of?

Thanks

Janet

[plamenh]

Synulox = Amoxicillin & Clavulanic Acid
You can mix it with Tylan
and you can mix alltogether with
Ronidazole
dosages needs to be calculated though per body weight of the dove.

[amyable]

Thanks for your help. She's been re-hydrated and has just tucked into some seeds.
Breathing is very noisey so just have to keep fingers crossed overnight.

Janet

[plamenh]

Rattling may be due to canker too. Lack of liasions does not mean she is canker free.

[amyable]

Oh Heck,

Spartrix?

[Feefo]

Janet, maybe Jayne has some doxy.

What colour is the gungy eye? Have a careful feel around her head for ticks.

Cynthia

[amyable]

hi Cynthia,

I had just had that same thought about Jayne. I've got to go out now so will send her an email.

I'll look at the eye a bit closer and report back,

JAnet

[amyable]

I've had a closer look at the eye but she gets very stressed and starts breathing heavily so had to put her back.
I'll be able to see better tomorrow in daylight but it may be a wound as there's something above the eye. I wonder if it is a tick as it seemed browney/ blood coloured. The light just wasn't good enough to tell tonight but the eye looks the same colour. Definitely not a puss colour if that helps. I'll get a picture tomorrow as she can't see out of that eye and so I can get up close without having to hold her.

Janet

[Feefo]

OK. These are two pictures of doves with eye damage that might have been tick related.

Tania found this one, it made a full recovery. When its lid became visible it had a small slit in it, so it could have been injury, not a tick but if you look at the very top of the eye it has the typical swelling:




This is Hermione Olive, she also made a full recovery. A third one, who had a tick removed by the vet also had an eye similar to Hermione Olive, but the eyelids were so swollen that the eye wasn't visible. That one also made a full recovery.



Ticks excrete toxins in their saliva that can lead to nervous symptoms. They also excrete an anticoagulant.

F.D W Harper says "Sticky eyes with yellow pus, often associated with dirty wattles and stained wing buts caused by rubbing the eyes...usually several birds affected, some of which will make rattling sounds as they breathe. The probable cause is chlamydia (ornithosis) and the birds need aggressive treatment." He says that in his personal opinion Baytril is active against Chlamydia

Birds with an eye injury , or eye infection can get hard pus in the eye.

[amyable]

Very interesting pictures. I'll get one to compare tomorrow. It's probably more like Hermione's picture.

I started her on Noroclav and loaded the first dose, (only given one so far), as the lad mentioned she might have been cat caught, so I thought she needed an urgent dose. I got conflicting info on her. One said she came in yesterday, the warden said three days ago. So I have no clues.

With that info about Chlamydia causing rattling breathing I wonder if she should have gone on Baytril with Tylan.

I appreciate it's a guessing game but just want to try whatever I can.

Janet

Just had a message back from Jayne she's sending some Doxycycline. Sadly she's just lost a bird tonight.