sick little owl

[Wightwings]

just a quickie for you owls experts out there.

A good friend i mine has just rung saying her little owl seems under the weather.I have told her to ring the vet for further advise and she is doing but thought you guys could give some feedback from experince.

Symptoms:- He is a nine year old bird!!this morning she found his pellet but it seemed to contain a lot of undigested food in it. he is refusing to eat and seems very lethargic in himself and almost slouching on his perch. Normally he is very chirpy and constantly bobbing up and down.

Have any of you come across this before and what did the vet recommend or do.

[Will]

Hate to sound like my grandmother, but how are his 'motions'? Has his diet changed recently? Will you be able to keep us updated, mate? Hope it turns out ok anyway.

[Wightwings]

his mutes are a tad green. The vet has advised giving glucose and close monitoring and taking in immediately if the situation deteriorates.

[Wightwings]

just to let you know the bird has picked up after the glucose intake and seems perky again.......the vet doesnt want to see it at this stage but has said to maintian the glucose input by soaking his food in it ( if he eats )

[RabbitHawker]

If your friend values the bird, get it looked at by an avian vet, there may be a serious underlying problem, and small birds go downhill fast, the bird should be examined and samples taken, not just have glucose. Glucose is good for sick/low birds, but without finding and treating the underlying cause it won't get bettr.
It could certainly be Trichomonas

[Varmint]

Yep, id second that one!

Sounds to me like a bacterial inbalance in the gut?

Cultures need to be taken both of feaces and throat swabs, but these cultures take time, any avian vet worth his salt would put this little bird on broad spectrum anti biotics now, and maintain a close eye on the patient!

Also, rem that after any dose of anti biotics has been administered and the course complete, Pro biotic or even natural yogurt should be given to re introduce a spectrum of fauns back into the digestive system.

Good Luck.

A

[Wightwings]

I would agree and she has spoken to Neil Forbes' surgey and he has said the same. I cannot get hold of her this morning so i am presuming that is were she is. I will let you know the results out of interest.

RH have done a google on trichomonas and keep coming up with a bacterial desease mainly sexually transmitted in young women ???

Can you enlighten us please?

thanks

chris

[Bash]

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex4444?opendocument

I would add that is isn't totally correct as Trematodes are routinely found in the bile ducts and gall bladder of eagles. It is also irritation of the epithelium layer, cholangiectasis, and blockage of the bile ducts which usually leads to the back flow of bile acid into the liver. I'll shut up now! :(

[Wightwings]

thanks for that Bash.

just to add the little fella has been seen and some samples taken. He is however back to his normal self today and eating again!

[RabbitHawker]

trichomonas is a protozaol infection also known as frounce, and can present as cheesy plaques in the mouth, thouat and crop.

[Wightwings]

thanks RH now if you would have said frounce i would have know what you were refferring to...... :shock: :wink: :roll:

[Bubo]

I stay off the pc for a day and miss all the very good advice and information. Hope the little buddy is ok and would be very interested in results if that is ok.

bubo

[Will]

Wondered why it was quiet! :)

[Bubo]

i suppose i asked for that 8)

[BrianM]

yes ,yes you did...lol

[Bubo]

:( :( :wink: is anyone my friend today, i'll chat with them instead then :P

[Will]

Ah, you know we missed you! Anyway, good to hear he's a bit perkier, let's hope his recovery continues well.

[Bubo]

how long are cultures for this bacteria needed to be kept before one would know the results?

[Sprout]

Trichomonas isn't a parasite so isn't cultured but to culture bacteria takes 2-3 days at least (some types take longer). An acutely ill bird often doesn't have 2-3 days to wait so I always check swabs immediately for the presence of bacteria, yeast, parasites etc on every sick bird seen then start an appropriate course of treatment whilst awaiting culture results and if needs be change plan if results come back otherwise. NEVER be fobbed off when you have an ill bird. Cats and dogs can often afford to be given a course of antibiotics and re examine if no better but without a specific diagnosis in birds there isn't any "come back and see me if it's no better" because it will more than likely be dead. Get a full work up at the initial consult - don;t wait and see.