Beau Peep is sick again - Page 2

06-11-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beatriz Cazeneuve

Jessalyn, how did the vet determine that it was lead poisoning? Was there a blood test? I am asking because of two reasons:

a) although metal poisoning is fairly common with parrots, it's really almost impossible for canaries to get it for the simple reason that they don't bite the bars or play with metal toys like parrots do. Parrots are chewers but canaries are not. The only way they could get it is if the metal leaches into their drinking water which is not a likely thing to occur as the water is changed, at least, daily, although I guess it could be possible. Also, the only way to diagnose this is through a blood test (although X-Rays are another diagnostic tool, it's almost impossible to see anything in a canary's rad, they are too tiny) and I don't know of a single avian vet that does blood tests on canaries, they are too small and don't have that much blood so even a tiny little bit makes a big difference in them and, considering they are dealing with a sick bird, it would be quite irresponsible to further weaken it by drawing a relatively large amount of blood. Canaries, finches and other very small birds are usually diagnosed based on symptoms which is more a guessing game than anything else.

b) I know of, at least, two canaries that were diagnosed with metal poisoning, both were treated with chelation therapy and both ended up dead. One of them I am pretty sure had hypocalcium because of the symptoms described to me by the owner but he was not treated for it and, eventually, he started having seizures and died.

I am not trying to scare you but every time I hear of a canary been treated for metal poisoning, a little red flag goes up in my mind and I fret that it might not be the right treatment and that time is been wasted and, with canaries and their super fast metabolism, when they are sick, time is of the essence.

Thanks for that Beatriz! Vet just gave him two tiny shots of antibiotics and an antibiotic for his water. Mom bought the lead test kits and tested for lead. We were just assuming that was it. Either way, he seems back to normal today mom said. Do you think that he would be ok in that cage? We have him in one of mine now although it is too small for permanant home. (14X20)

06-12-2008, 06:07 AM

No, he needs a new cage not only because of the peeling paint in the old one but because antique cages are very pretty but very impractical to clean and uncomfortable for the birds.

Canaries require a cage that is, at least, 30 in long x 21 tall x 18 deep. If you can get a bigger one, better still. No steepled roof, no nooks and crannies. Just a simple cage is best. There should be three perches in it, one small one catty corner with only enough room for him to stand under the top and two more placed halfway in terms of the height, accross and not following the length of the cage and at each end but with enough room from the sides so his tail does not touch the bars. This is so there will be plenty of empty space in the middle making him flap his wings to go from one perch to the other.

Let's hope that what he has is a bacterial infection because that is the only thing that an antibiotic will be good for... my vet always gives me an antibiotic and an antifungal both to cover everything at once because, like I said, with canaries, fast treatment is of the essence and one can't waste time with different treatments to see what works. I am also surprised that the vet gave you medicine to put in his water, I don't know of any avian vet that does this, every vet I've had has given me a compounded form of antibiotic (Baytril been the first one they prescribe because it has such a wide spectrum) to put into their beaks twice a day with a little syringe because putting the antibiotic in his water does not guarantee the bird is getting the right dosage every day and you cannot use Baytril for that (what is the name of the antibiotic he gave you?). Make sure the water bowl is taken away every evening and replaced in the am with the medicated water (use distilled water, never from the faucet -too many chemicals in it). This way, he will be good and thirsty and go for it immediately while the antibiotic is still potent. Also, eliminate all other sources of moisture from his diet, like soak seed, juicy fruits and/or leafy greens or he will not drink enough of the medicine. This is also another reason I don't like putting medicine in the water, because you actually have to elimiante food that is good for them while they are sick.

06-12-2008, 08:29 AM

Thank Beatriz! I will call mom and find out about meds and tell her what you said.