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My Question: I have a three month old budgie who has been diagnosed with coccidia. My avian vet has seen him and prescribed baycox and baytril. I have used the baycox as follows: 2 days on, 5 days off, two days on. baytril was used for ten days as he was very poorly and we nearly lost him (also fed him with critical care formula). I finally was able to let him back in the aviary on Sunday as he is very much better and has his appetite back. The problem is that he has got undigested seed in his droppings again -this was one of the first signs of the coccidia infection. Should I use the baycox again for two days, and how long can I safely go on using it this way? Otherwise he is not showing any ill signs.
Answered by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM:
At least in the United States, coccidiosis is comparatively uncommonly diagnosed in the Budgerigar. In other parts of the globe, however, this can be seen more often, however. Australia is one example where this diagnosis may be more common. Baycox is the brand name of the drug Toltrazuril, which is active on the intracellular phase of infection, usually requiring a very short two day treatment period. Passage of undigested seed in the droppings is an uncommon clinical sign that would be linked to Coccidiosis. The broad spectrum antibiotic, Baytril (Enrofloxacin) has no activity against this parasite (coccidia). In general, I would suggest that you ask your veterinarian to repeat a physical examination on your young budgie, and to consider screening for intestinal parasites, Gastric Yeast (Macrorhabdus) and other more likely explanations for the clinical signs you see.filed under: Health and Nutrition
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