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My vet prescribed Baytril for my parrot and I know that people have used it on their birds, but when I searched the internet there are tons of sites saying how dangerous it is to birds/parrots.

Is this just internet BS or do some of you feel it valid? I would like to know before giving it to my parrot and some of the info about it seems downright scary.

She mainly had the yeast infection (which I have the Diflucan for) but I was kind of suprirsed at the Bayril as even the vet said the bacteria noted in the stain/tests was not alot.

I am really afraid to give it to her now, although the vet said it is very safe.

Why would so much be online about it, if not valid that it is dangerous for birds?

Anyone know?

If you are really concerned, call another vet and ask--do not, by any means, trust the internet... there is a reason there are vets, and we can't just diagnose our birds ourselves... I believe my birds have been on Baytril before, but cannot remember definitavely. I was concerned about the medical treatment my brids were receiving from a new vet (specifically medicine being given) I was seeing due to relocation. I called my old vet, and he was happy to discuss the problem with me, as well as the credentials of my new vet in the avian vet community. If you are really concerned, and not concerned about money, just go to another vet and ask about treatment.

Best of luck,

Jackie

There is a tremendous problem with humans and other animals with overuse of antibiotics. Google that issue and see what comes up -- WOW! As I posted earlier, Baytril is the most frequently used avian antibiotic. That probably means it is often used when it should not be, but that does not mean it should never be used. Considering Chilli's obvious illness, I think you would be ill-advised to not use it. JMO, but I do use Baytril when my vets and I feel it is appropriate. When I first encountered the debate about its use, I discussed it with my primary vet, a past president of the Assn of Avian Vets, and have felt no concern about it since. I have a little in the 'fridge now to use in an emergency if need be.

It makes is rather confusing. I trust this vet and she said it was safe. However, with so much online about it, it does make you wonder. I have no reason to see another vet as this one has done well by me in the past and is a board certified avian vet and known as one of the best in the state.

However, that being said, after taking care of my mom five years, many very good doctors did not always give the best advice, especially on meds.

I will give the meds to Chilli as I am not a vet and am sure not going to override a vet, but I had just wondered if anyone knew why so much is online about Baytril and birds. It seems odd to me that so much would be on about it, if not some validty to it.
The internet is known for bogus chatter, that I know, but when the same bogus chatter turns up again and again, it does make you wonder.
That is why I wondered what others felt about it.

I have used Baytril in the past. My current vet does not perscribe it, but I found it to work very well when I did use it. It was a shorter course of meds than the formula my current vet perscribes.

Did your vet not prescribe it as she/he is uneasy about it or has reservations or just because he/she felt other drugs work better?

Honestly, I never asked. I heard a rumor that you cannot get it any more in the states, but I don't know.

Here is the reason why we can't use it I believe:

FDA Bans Animal Antibiotic Baytril
by Richard Knox

All Things Considered, July 29, 2005 · The Food and Drug Administration bans the use of an antibiotic in animals, citing a threat to human health. The drug, Baytril, has been linked to new microbes resist antibiotics, both in animals and in humans. Baytril is used to treat infections in chickens and turkeys.

The drug is also s a close chemical cousin to human medicines such as Cipro. It's believed to be the first time the FDA has acted to withdraw an animal drug to prevent drug-resistance problems in humans. NPR's Richard Knox reports.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4777277

christie wrote:I heard a rumor that you cannot get it any more in the states

It was still available as recently as a month ago.

An American

I believe the use of antibiotics is banned in birds that are for human consumption as the antbiotics can be passed on to humans. Even milk is tested for antibiotics. So unless you plan on having your parrots for dinner --I would go ahead and use the Baytril as instructed. No meds are without some sort of danger. You have to weigh the good against the bad. When my vet says use Baytril---I do.It saved my birds more than once.---Yogi

[quote="spensergirl"]My vet prescribed Baytril for my parrot and I know that people have used it on their birds, but when I searched the internet there are tons of sites saying how dangerous it is to birds/parrots.

Is this just internet BS or do some of you feel it valid? I would like to know before giving it to my parrot and some of the info about it seems downright scary.

She mainly had the yeast infection (which I have the Diflucan for) but I was kind of suprirsed at the Bayril as even the vet said the bacteria noted in the stain/tests was not alot.

I am really afraid to give it to her now, although the vet said it is very safe.

Why would so much be online about it, if not valid that it is dangerous for birds?

Anyone know?[/quote]


You wrote " mainly yeast " you need to talk to your vet for any antibiotic will help grow the yeast rapidly.

dangerous to self medicate.

Huh? I never said I was "SELF MEDICATING". The VET ran tests, told me she had mostly yeast in the white slime sample I brought in that she tested and "some" bacteria. She (vet) is the one who gave her the Baytril (for bacteria) and the Diflucan (for yeast). I DID ask if wouldn't the antibioitc make the yeast worse (since I know in people it does) and she said since the antibiotic is for one week and the Diflucan for two weeks, it would be ok.

I am sorry if anyone thinks I am stupid for asking questions, but I have learned the hard way with people and with animals, that no vet is God and no matter how good they are they do not always have the correct answer, thus why I think it is good to at least ASK questions of others who may have had similar incidents or used similar meds.

If this is stupid to anyone, so very sorry. But I do not think the concern and or question is foolish.

I never self medicated my bird, this is all from the vet. Doesn't mean I may not have questions if vet says it is safe and other sites say it is not.

I think Cherane was in a rush and just misread your post. Not a problem since you know the real deal. Asking your question and hearing a variety of opinions in reply is one of the greatest benefits of a bird chat. Not stupid at all. Very smart!

Spensergirl,

I've used Baytril in treatment of my birds, and it was only the Baytril that finally killed the bacteria Ginger had. The reason cited by Christie is correct.. the consumption of flesh that has been treated with Baytril can be passed to humans, and in some cases, bacteria become immune to it. One question for you however, and that is are you giving your bird Bene-Bac along with the antibiotics? If not, you should obtain some and give the Bene-bac the same time as you give the a/b. If you want to use something else you can also use yogurt. Most yogurt contains probiotics and essentially do the same job as the Bene-bac.

HTH

Sam

The vet did not mention that (yogurt or other item). I did ask her wouldn't the antibiotic make the yeast worse and I still feel it will, even though she said that since it was only a week on antibiotic and two weeks on Diflucan it would not.

I am also not comfortable with the fact that even the vet said the bacteria in the sample was very "slight" and it was mostly yeast. I would think maybe an antibiotic, at this point, might do more harm then good. However, she is known as one of the best vets in the area and sadly, I can barely pay what I had to pay to her, let alone pay to go to someone else. I am hoping her treatment is correct, but to me it does not seem to make sense, given there is mostly yeast as the problem and I am afarid any antibiotic would make that worse.

I realize, at some point, you have to trust what vets and or doctors say and I do, to a great extent, but that does not mean that some things do not make sense and I am not going to let something that does not make sense go, without asking at least about it, when it might be at my loved one (birds) expense.

I will try giving Chilli some plain organic yogurt with it, thanks for the tip.

[quote="spensergirl"]Huh? I never said I was "SELF MEDICATING". The VET ran tests, told me she had mostly yeast in the white slime sample I brought in that she tested and "some" bacteria. She (vet) is the one who gave her the Baytril (for bacteria) and the Diflucan (for yeast). I DID ask if wouldn't the antibioitc make the yeast worse (since I know in people it does) and she said since the antibiotic is for one week and the Diflucan for two weeks, it would be ok.



I am the one to apologize to you for I read incorrectly. Myself, being an Adjunct Professor I always encourage questions and hope I haven't changed and if anything do always ask questions regarding any therapy or treatment regarding your precious bird.
Was not my intention to hurt or sluff you off,

I wish you and yours a speedy recovery.