Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Doxycycline in water treats spiral bacterial infection in cockatiels
By Evans, Erika E et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2008·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Administration of doxycycline in drinking water for treatment of spiral bacterial infection in cockatiels.
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A group of 18 cockatiels was diagnosed with a spiral bacterial infection, which can cause respiratory issues and other health problems. To treat the infection, 11 of the birds received drinking water mixed with doxycycline for 30 days, while the other 7 birds did not receive any medication. After treatment, all the birds that received doxycycline tested negative for the bacteria, and they remained healthy for months afterward. The untreated birds continued to have the infection until they were later given doxycycline, after which they also tested negative. There were no significant side effects from the treatment.
People also search for: cockatiel bacterial infection treatment · doxycycline for birds · cockatiel respiratory problems
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine efficacy of providing drinking water medicated with doxycycline for treatment of spiral bacterial infection in cockatiels. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Animals-18 cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) naturally infected with spiral bacteria. PROCEDURES: Spiral bacterial infection was diagnosed by means of cytologic examination of swab specimens from the choana and oropharynx. Eleven birds (treatment group) were given drinking water to which doxycycline hyclate had been added at a concentration of 400 mg/L for 30 days; the remaining 7 birds (control group) were given unmedicated water. After completion of the study, 6 control birds were treated with drinking water medicated with doxycycline for 21 days. RESULTS: Daily mean plasma doxycycline concentration for birds in the treatment group ranged from 2.26 to 2.86 Mg/mL (overall range, 0.83 to 4.34 Mg/mL). All treated birds were negative for spiral bacteria after treatment for 21 days and remained negative when examined 160 days after treatment ended. Control birds remained positive for spiral bacteria. Control birds treated with doxycycline after completion of the study were negative for spiral bacteria after treatment for 21 days and 30 days after treatment ended. No clinically important adverse effects were associated with treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that providing drinking water to which doxycycline had been added at a concentration of 400 mg/L was effective in eliminating spiral bacterial infections in cockatiels.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18241104/