Last week Bill was talking to the woman who bought Pablo's clutchmate, Pepita, and she said that Pepita had worms. Now, she could have gotten them tons of places, but since they grew up together we decided to get a fecal culture just in case.

Well, it's a good thing we did. Pablo does NOT have worms. But, he has a bacteria infection. I would have NEVER guessed. He's the craziest and apparently healthiest of all the birds. His poops ARE quite runny, but he plays in his water all day so I thought it was nothing. Stupid.

I guess it is a staph infection, which means that he got it from a person and that it is resistant to most medication. But the vet said there is one kind of medicine that WILL work on it, thank God. But we have to inject it twice a day. She said we COULD give him something through the air, but the injections would be more effective. So Bill and I are going in tomorrow to learn how to give them to him. He's gonna hate it but we need him well.

Could the other birds catch it from him? I'll ask the vet tomorrow, but what do you all think.

Becky sending good wishes and Pablo to get well soon.....

Poor Pablo, I hope he's feeling better soon

It really depends on what type of staph bacteria it is as to whether the other birds can get it. A lot of infections can be passed through aerosolized feces (ie, when you clean the cages or scrape poo off his toys), so I would definitely ask the vet about it just to be sure.

Hopefully Pablo will be feeling better soon! Good thing you caught it!!

I hope your Pablo gets better soon. I will pray for him.

Man them bugs are sneaky devils. Glad you caught this one Becky. Lucky. Injections? Man, I don't know if I'd feel comfortable doing that.

Get well soon Pablo.

Hey everyone.

I justed wanted to make one thing clear. Pablo got sick from either Bill or I. We've had him for more than half a year now and he was one hundred percent healthy and happy whenever he came to live with us.

I think he probably got sick from sneaking his naughty beak in one of our mouths.

I read this and panicked...LOL So it's a gram negative strain, not MRSA...whew...I sure hope he feels better soon.

Hopefully little Pablo will be back to his ol' self again shortly...

Becky, would you be so kind as to educate us to the type of Infection Staph infection it is... And how the vet thinks they can contract it etc. So we can all learn from this.

Is it a gram negative bacteria, And please ask your vet how its acquired and how to avoid it etc. Whether other birds can get it from one another etc. What medicines can help etc.

Sorry that Pablo is going through it but at least you caught it!

Please keep us updated! Thanks.

It's worse than I thought. Whatever kind of staph infection it is, it is resistant to a bunch of meds. MRSA or MSRA something.

Plus, he may not recover. We hope so, but if this medication doesn't work there is nothing we can do. Though, she said he could live for several years with it. I dunno. I just found how bad it was myself so I'm kind of out of it.

I'm going to test Marshall and the other birds just to make sure no one else is sick. It's going to be so expensive though. Each test is like 66 dollars.

But, I'm over reacting. HOPEFULLY no one else is sick. And Pablo hopefully WILL respond to the antibotics. They said that this was the only antibotic that the infection showed sensitivity too, so at least we know it is affected by it.

We were going to just treat ALL the birds, because it is cheap medication, but I guess it's super strong and MAY affect their kidneys too.

I'm sorry. I'm had a rotten week in other ways and now I'm just FREAKING out. My poor babies. I hate not knowing so is sick and who isn't and if the medication will work...

*edit*

Sorry I forgot to anwser your questions... I don't know about the negative gram thing, she didn't mention that, and he got from a person with the same disease. The medicine is germaine or something with those letters. Its injectible

Not exactly the kind of news you were hoping for I'm sure. But at least there is a good chance the treatment will work, and you know how the powers of positive vibe work on this site.

You've got all my thoughts behind you, Pablo and the whole flock.

Mine too! Sending good vibes your way...

Fingers crossed for Pablo!!!!!!!!

Crossing wings, fingers, toes, legs,arms...the whole works! Hope the meds help and no other fiddies get sick! Hang in there Becky...and Pablo!

Awwww, Poor Pablo!! My prayers are with him...


As for some people who have asked this before, a quaker can get very sick from kissing it on its beak constantly... As much as we love to kiss our cute companions, it is actually not a good idea because we can get them very sick... This is one of the first things I learned when I got mine 17 years ago. He tries to kiss me, but I back away.. Its only for his own good...

I wish Pablo the best... Keep us posted... Hopefully the meds take and he starts to feel better! Hey, mine was very very sick 10 years ago, but is still going strong! Quakers are tough!! My thoughts are with you....

Tracey

Aawwee Becky I am so sorry .. healing thoughts and prayers for Pablo ...