Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 11/10/2007

Question
I have two budgies.  Last Friday they were wheezing and sneezing, quieter than normal, eating but not eating as much.  It was after my avian vet hours, and they are not open on the weekend.  I decided to give them the ornacyn plus medicine from pet store as I didn't know what else to do,and I thought it was a respiratory illness because they had just had a fecal cytology done 2 weeks ago and it was negative for parasites, so I knew it couldn't be that. By Monday they were looking and acting better. They haven't sneezed or wheezed in two days.  They finished the 5-day treatment like directions said.  However, now today I come home and they aren't eating as much especially one of them doesn't look like he's touched any food all day today.  It's the weekend and I don't know what to do.  How do I encourage the little guy to eat. Is there anything specific that I can give him? Did the medicine upset his stomach? Should I try Benebac?   
-- a worried little budgie mom--  first time bird owner, only have owned for a couple months

Answer
Hi, Jennifer,

The meds you can buy at pet shops are not strong enough to help sick birds.  In addition, you probably had to add this med to water, which dilutes it too much to be effective.  Also, anything added to water creates bacterial growth, so you could actually be making matters worse (unless you are giving the OTC med down the throat)....bacteria grows in the water, the birds drink the bacteria soup...they become more sick.  This is the time of year when birds are susceptible to respiratory infections (weather change to colder temps).  You can't force a bird to eat and often when birds are ill, they won't eat for a day or two.  You really need to get these birds to your avian vet for a checkup.  Perhaps there was enough medicine in the ornacyn to help them for a couple of days, but they probably need prescription meds from the vet to make them well.  When a bird is sick and not eating, give the bird its favorite food to eat and see if the bird will accept that.  In other words, if you don't normally give your birds seed to eat (if they are on a variety of other foods), then give the bird as much seed as it wants at this time.  You can try spray millet, too, as most budgies really like millet.  Whatever this bird will eat, give it to the bird.  You can try benebac,  but if the bird isn't eating, it won't help.  They most likely need meds from the vet.

Chrys