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From: gbell@sdcc13.ucsd.edu (Greg Bell)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: INDOOR: Sick Parakeet help
Message-ID: <17187@sdcc6.ucsd.edu>
Date: 4 Mar 91 23:34:32 GMT
Sender: news@sdcc6.ucsd.edu
Organization: University of California, San Diego
Lines: 31


My favorite feathered friend has caught something from his new
friend, also a parakeet.  The new parakeet has had symptoms since
October that have improved rather than worsened, so I figured he
either wasn't sick or was getting better.   Anyway, I've taken the
recently sick bird to a vet who seemed very knowledgable (I was not
able to find a strictly avian vet, but found one who was a member of
the avian vets assoc).  She prescribed a broad spectrum antibiotic,
but it doesn't seem to be doing much.  I can't afford to have a culture
taken... the first visit cost $37 (with medicine).

Two questions:

	1)  He refuses to swallow the medicine... how can I get it
            down his throat?  I have a small syringe, but he just closes his
            throat until I release him, then shakes it all out.

	2)  What's important in helping him kick this thing?  I'm
            keeping him warm during the day with a light bulb, and the nights
            aren't very cold (I'm in San Diego).  He's eating, and I'm making
            veggies available (as I always have).  Also, no drafts, etc.
	    Is there anything else I can do?


Thanks for any help.

-- 
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  Who:  Greg Bell                            Address:  gbell@ucsd 
 What:  EE hobbyist and major                  Where:  UC San Diego
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