My Linnie's are sick. They're on Baytril and I'm waiting for results from the bloodwork. They are all underweight (again, they were when I got them) and although they *look* better, I'm worried...

Does anyone have any advice for what to feed them to try and get their weight up? Yaki had gained 4 grams since I brought them home and subsequently lost it. It was suggested that I offer them handfeeding formula which I did and they refused... also Ensure, but I haven't tried that, I just don't think that can be very good for them.

Thanks..

Depending on your level of knowledge with hand feeding, you can provide Kaytee exact formula and fill there crop.
Offering the mix and applying the mix are 2 seperate entities.
Are you giving the Baytril? how is the antibiotic being applied?
What are they sick from?
When you have time and if possible maybe you can tell us alittle more as to what is happening.
Shelled sunflower seed is high in protein and fat, it will be okay to offer these seeds to help them re-gain there weight but you will not want to offer these seeds on a perminate basis as the Budgie is prone to fatty liver disease and fatty tumors.
Also, white millet, you will find this seed in most Parakeet mixes, actually any millet is high in protien and fat, unfortunately it is a all seed diet that causes most problems in Budgies and really should be avoided.Even unsalted peanuts can be used to help regain there weight but again, this nut should not be offered on a regular basis, but as a treat.
All seeds can and do harm all birds as there fat content is very high, however eliminating this much needed fat will only cause more problems, offer seed and nuts as treats.
Omega oils such as fish oil is good for us humans and good for birds, but again with moderation.
Offer your babies Tomatoes, these will assist the acids within the stomach and help clear the digestive track.
Lets pray the baytril fixes the issue and things become more stable, there will be a need to place your little friends on a different diet, Whole wheat bread, sweet corn, carrots, I buy the mixed frozen veggies here so my kids get a variety of veggies.
Grit will not be needed for the budgie, however I take the morning egg shells and nuke them for one minute, place them into a blender and chop them up well and offer these to all our birds, this helps with there calcium levels.
While your babies are on Baytril please do not offer any calcium...none.After the Baytril treatment is complete, vitamins high in b12 will help your babies rebuild there emune system, while using vitamins added to the water be sure to change daily, this is very importent.
All information above will assit you in maintaining good budgie health, however before doing any of the above please provide more information as to what is ailing them.
Arty

My AV recommends Ensure for weight gain and sustenance for birds that are not feeling well. I hope once the Baytril gets in their system their appetite will pick up.

You may want to ask your AV about offering Pedialyte for dehydration.

Arty is correct, we need more information before trying to help on this long weekend. I would gather all the ingredients Arty and Karen have mentioned. I would add papaya for digestion, and gatorade for hydration, gatorade and pedalyte need to be mixed 50/50 with water. Sick bird should be keep at a temperature between 85-87 degrees.

It would be helpful to know what the vet thinks is wrong and the dosage and delivery method of the medications.

We are not avian vets but do share your compassion for birds. We will be here to help you!

Don't know what to do but, we are going to say a little prayer for your birdies!

Hey all, thanks a lot Arty for all that! First of all I have to say that we do not have an AV in Alaska. I brought them home on the 18th of October, last month. I was told by the person I bought them from that "Dr Scott Ford saw most of those birds in September 2007 and gave them a clean bill of health. " Dr. Ford being the AV that comes up here from California quarterly. When I called Dr. Ford he stated he had no record of ever seeing them.

Suspected, bacterial infection but we won't know for sure until the bloodwork comes back which could be as late as Monday, I'm told. It had to be mailed out, which probably didn't happen until Wednesday; they saw the vet on Tuesday. The Linnie's are on Baytril 2.27% given orally. I can't find the mg/ml but they get .03 ml daily. Their weights on Tuesday (they aren't completely tame so it's been hard enough getting the meds into them) were: Suki 45 (female), Yaki 45 (female), Tofu (male) 47. They were underweight when I brought them home, gained a bit and then lost it again. You can feel both girls Keel bones. They came from a less than ideal living situation, if you know what I mean.

Also they refused a handfeeding, so I offered the Kaytee in a little dish but they refused that as well. They are eating their food and drinking their water, so I did not force the issue. They have seeds as well as pellets and get fresh veggies everyday, holding back the fruits because I was told it could cause a yeast infection while on the Baytril?

Thanks for all your help.

Thank the lord for other members reaching out to help as I completely forgot to mention keeping them warm.
Please understand as Gary has mentioned "we are not vets", we are simply trying to help.
You mention they are given Baytril orally but also state they refuse formula in the dish, are you using a syringe to admin the baytril?
What has the vet reccommended as far as administering the drug?
If you are syringing the meds directly into there crop, then maybe you could apply the formula the same way, again..."maybe"...
As humans we are given a certain dosage, either a pill, or a teaspoon etc, but we are required to take the full dosage at one time.
This is why I ask how the Baytril is being offered as it will be important to get the full dosage into the birds in order for the drug to work properly.
I understand the birds were not being well cared for before finding there way to you, thank you for all you are doing to help them.
Please know we wish to help, I know I personally am there with you, if you know how to hand feed safely then maybe "maybe" you can, this might be what is nesassary to do, but again....this is your decission.
As has been mentioned, there maybe a need to rehydrate.
Please respond when you can.
Arty

Arty,

I am giving it to them with a syringe. I have to towel them after getting them out of the cage to keep them still enough to administer it. Would you recommend that I at the same time try to give them handfeeding formula the same way? I have finished handfeeding a few baby birds and then Mojo (Parrotlet) a couple weeks ago when he got sick as well. So I feel comfortable doing it, just haven't tried with one that wasn't wanting it before.

Andreya, if you can get the Pedialyte/Gatorade mixture into them it may be a big help with appetite also. I had a dehydrated bird a short time ago and after a trip to the vet where he got lots of SubQ fluids his appetite picked up tremendously just from being hydrated again.

Thanks, maybe I can try that tonight? I've got to work soon. This morning though they were all eating, gave them veggies and they look better. I've been keeping my apartment really warm, and they just got dose #4 of the Baytril. Calling the vets office today to find out if they got the bloodwork back so that I can have a better idea of what's going on. Most likely whatever they have, Mojo had... and I will see if I need to treat my other birds as well.