Sorry about your crook quarrion, Deb.
I am not a vet, but I have some knowledge of these things.
I did a little research on your probiotic question, and came back to find lots more questions.
I shall try to take them in a logical order.
jusdeb wrote:Would Psittacossis present other symptoms ?
(this answer is a paraphrase from Michael Cannon's excellent book: Basic Health and Disease in Birds (ABK))
Psittacosis can have no symptoms. Often a happy, healthy bird may be a carrier without signs of illness. When they become stressed - eg: new environment, handling - the disease may become evident.
Other signs which may be seen alone or in combination include:
depression
not eating
weight loss
watery eyes
excess urine (often green)
diarrhoea (bright green to black)
runny nose
blinking or partly closed eyes
plugging of nostrils
sneezing
The conjunctivitis could also be due to numerous other infections, including influenza (viral, in which case no antibiotics would be needed) or Mycoplasma.
A vet should be able to detect psittacosis with simple pathology test.
jusdeb wrote:Where do I get Doxy please ?
I'm pretty sure you need a vet to prescribe doxycycline. I believe that weekly injections are more effective than daily oral dosing, and give a definite and more accurate dose. Dr. Cannon's book suggests seven injections.
jusdeb wrote:Do I use the triple c while I search for Doxy ?
Better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick, I suppose, as it would cover many of the less sinister possible causes for this conjunctivitis. If you have started, I would continue until you see the vet. If you haven't started it yet, then wait for a veterinary opinion.
jusdeb wrote:.....do I do the probiotic thing after the antibiotics ? And for how long ?
My species of interest is not a bird, so my expertise is not necessarily relevant.
From limited studies of cows and sheep there is some (weak) evidence for benefit from probiotics post-antibiotics.
In humans, it is often effective in treating antibiotic-associated colitis and (weak evidence) useful in restoring normal bowel function in people with diarrhoea or constipation after a course of antibiotics.
Interestingly, there is also evidence for probiotics in conditions as diverse as inflammatory bowel disease, asthma and eczema.
My feeling is that where there is a problem after the antibiotics, they may help. However, where there are no complications attending the antibiotic therapy, there is no real evidence that it provides any benefit.
I was intrigued by the notion of finches (and passerines more generally) having a sterile gut, but I am yet to be convinced.
If this were true, it would pull the theoretical rug out from under the use of probiotics.
The author of some of the articles suggested that swabs taken from the intestine of passerines grew no bugs, but other authors claim to have grown normal gut flora.
As I am a compulsive empiricist, and have a small laboratory at my disposal, I am intending to swab some finch guts myself, and see what grows with standard culture techniques. I will advise the forum of my results, of course, but I will be surprised if
nothing grows.
Hope this post is more useful than annoying; do keep us posted, Deb.
