Update/second opinion Beau the dove

[overwelmedd]

Good morning everyone. I'd like to post a few pictures of Beau for your opinions and for update. I have been hand feeding him (?) for the past month along with Baytril, Sulfa and Calcium that Vet provided. I know he has Pox but now I'm questioning whether the yellow I'm seeing could be Canker to boot. His lower beak is now almost completely involved including under it. And you can see the lumps on side and top of head. Small one on right eye developed and already resolved itself. Does this still look like normal pox or some other type of growths?? Any input is much appreciated.. Other than looking horrible he is active, affectionate and is enjoying evening free flying around the house.

Gina
p.s. pay no attention to dates on photos

[Trees Gray]

Hi Gina,

Have you taken him/her to an avian vet or rehabber?

I would definitely suspect canker and get him on Spartrix and/or metrodonizole asap.

[feralpigeon]

Hi Gina,

Bless you for caring for this bird. Trichomonas and Pigeon Pox virus frequently come together and while Baytril and sulpha meds will cover a range of conditions they won't touch Trichomonas. Can you get some Metronidazole from your veterinarian? Your bird will tolerate it better than Spartrix, which can cause nausea and needs to be given on an empty stomach. You can give a single dose of Metronidazole daily, but Metronidazole can also be given twice daily which aside from the actual administration issue, may be beneficial in this situation. You may want to drizzle a small amount of the medicine directly onto the lower beak in addition to the actual dosage. Also, a higher than normal level of protein is helpful for pox birds while fighting off and repairing from the virus.

fp

[Jaye]

He definitely needs Metronidazole. Can you get some from a vet ? if not, you are still in luck, as it is one of the meds available over-counter....Flagyl, Fishzole are some other names (you can often get it a pet stores or fish/aquarium stores ~ just be sure the product has no other additives, as many brands of the fish Metronidazole often do).

You need to get him on it ASAP. A bird that small with canker like that isn't gonna hang in there too long.....how's his weight ? It's kinda amazing that you can successfully handfeed him in this condition, IMHO.....are you tubing ???

http://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/ had both Fishzole and Flagyl.....

....if you can't find locally TODAY, order it NOW and get it express mailed.

Or...probably quicker if you can't find a shop locally...I have a single 100mg Metronidazole tablet left here....I'd be happy to express-mail to you; you will then need to dilute properly...just PM or e-mail me.

BTW...thanks for helping the guy

[feralpigeon]

Gina is apparently working w/a vet, hopefully the vet will be willing to give her
a script so the bird can get on the antibiotic today.

fp

[overwelmedd]

I will look for the Metronidazole today at pet/fish store. Didn't know I could get it there. I actually feed him with a baggie. After mixing the Kaytee I twist the corner of a baggie into a pouch shape and snip off enough for him to fit his beak in. He does all the work, I just hold the bag and clean up the drippy mess The vet that treated him initially didn't impress me much. I inquired about vaccinations to keep him healthy after he recovers from pox, etc. and they told me that birds don't get vaccinations. I know from reading this site for the past few years that they DO. So my faith in their office has dropped. If I cannot find Flagyl today I will give them another try.

Gina

[overwelmedd]

Originally Posted by feralpigeon

Hi Gina,

Bless you for caring for this bird. Trichomonas and Pigeon Pox virus frequently come together and while Baytril and sulpha meds will cover a range of conditions they won't touch Trichomonas. Can you get some Metronidazole from your veterinarian? Your bird will tolerate it better than Spartrix, which can cause nausea and needs to be given on an empty stomach. You can give a single dose of Metronidazole daily, but Metronidazole can also be given twice daily which aside from the actual administration issue, may be beneficial in this situation. You may want to drizzle a small amount of the medicine directly onto the lower beak in addition to the actual dosage. Also, a higher than normal level of protein is helpful for pox birds while fighting off and repairing from the virus.

fp

What can I give him to boost his protein levels? I hand feed him Kaytee since he isn't able to feed himself. Is they something they can be added to that?

I also have some Harrison's High Potency Mash that I bought at the vet's office but Beau didn't seem to like it. I was mixing a small amount of it into the Kaytee but it is gritty and it seemed to put him off.

[overwelmedd]

Originally Posted by Trees Gray

Hi Gina,

Have you taken him/her to an avian vet or rehabber?

I would definitely suspect canker and get him on Spartrix and/or metrodonizole asap.

He was initially seen about 3 weeks ago but a Vet. I haven't had any luck finding a rehabber willing to return a call.

I will look for meds at pet store today and am waiting for another rehabber to return my call as I type this.

[overwelmedd]

Thank you all for the advice and offers of help. Taking care of Beau is a pleasure. He may be a goofy looking lil guy but he has a great personality. I can open his cage, go sit down and call to him and he will fly right to me. When I tap on his feeding tray he comes and waits. He sits on my shoulder and chirps in my ear and will even peck on my lips to beg for food and affection. He shows no hand fear and will sit on my shoulder as I walk around the house. I've never had these types of reactions from animals that were supposedly trained, let alone from one that is suppose to be wild.

[feralpigeon]

Kaytee Exact is fine. You might want to hard boil an egg and add a quarter of
the yolk into the formula as well, not only nutritious but will help to keep up the
bird's weight.

Have you weighed the dove and is the dove holding it's weight well?

fp

[feralpigeon]

BTW, do you have a Feed and Grain store nearby? They frequently will sell
medicines and it's possible you may be able to get Metronidazole through
them.

fp

[overwelmedd]

I have run around to all the pet/fish/bird stores in my area that i can think of and have completely struck out. I can find penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, cephalexin but no Flagyl. My last chance is my nephew. He is a pharmacist but won't be at work again until tomorrow. I've talked to 3 vet offices today and none of them will see him. Had one rehabber that finally called me back but she has given up her license and said she never treated any bird diseases. I will post more later tonight but I have to feed my human children now......fun fun fun.

Gina

p.s. How do I figure out the doseage of the medicine once I finally get it??

[feralpigeon]

Have you ever weighed the bird? I still could ship the meds to you,
but it's getting late here as well. Three is the cutoff time, I believe.

Back w/dosing instructions....

fp

Originally Posted by overwelmedd

I have run around to all the pet/fish/bird stores in my area that i can think of and have completely struck out. I can find penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, cephalexin but no Flagyl. My last chance is my nephew. He is a pharmacist but won't be at work again until tomorrow. I've talked to 3 vet offices today and none of them will see him. Had one rehabber that finally called me back but she has given up her license and said she never treated any bird diseases. I will post more later tonight but I have to feed my human children now......fun fun fun.

Gina

p.s. How do I figure out the doseage of the medicine once I finally get it??

[alhowiriny]

Apology to the original poster, No intention to shift or hijack this thread. Only trying to enrich the subject.

[altgirl35]

i usually go 10 days with the flagyl, and i keep poxy guys on baytril until all lesions are gone, i also dab lesions once a day with diluted betadine to help dry them up. dont get into the eyes.
also after a 3-4 days on the flagyl, i very gently rub the mouth and throat with diluted betadine and q-tips once a day, be very careful, if you see blood stop, it's hurts them but helps speed up recovery