HEALTH

Dear Dr Rob, I currently have eight beautiful QUALITY LADYGZ of different mutations that I am preparing for the 2006 breeding season. I have had amazing results using your quarantine products and follow Laraine's article AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION RATHER THAN CURE (religiously) Last week I had a 3 mo old fledgling die for unknown reasons. The fledgling (PB=PrettyBoy) was one of my pride and joys this season. My results from your supplements were incredible and it showed in him, this chick was flying his first day out of the nest and the others 2 days following him. However, PB was extraordinary an incredible bird, a textbook Chloebia Gouldiae. I could not be happier with his physical and health results! That is why when he died I literally was in shock! PB went from having excellent health to death in four days. During his illness, he was kept warm and isolated in a hospital cage, I treated him with Amoxitex the third day directly to his crop after reviewing his symptoms for 48 hours. I kept record and documented 4 days of swallowing roughly, gagging, and coughing, minimal eating then his death the morning of the 4th day. I am a bit concerned knowing the rest of my birds could possibly follow his path and immediately started my flock on Amoxitex (antibiotic) as added prevention. The flock has been treated with Ronex, S76 (programs) as part of my prevention procedures, and Amoxitex is the only program I have not administered. I know the dangers of administering antibiotics in general which alludes me to the question WAS THIS THE RIGHT THING TO DO? I am on my second day of treatment and I have stopped all supplements in accordance to the recommendations for use of Amoxitex. Is there anything else I can do or that you can suggest during/and when I begin probiotics? Do you know what could have possibly happened? I am sure it could have been many different factors that caused his death and almost impossible to diagnose via letters. I just want to make sure I am caring for them correctly. These birds are kept in immaculate conditions, air filters, filtered water, feeding regiments researched and followed from advice from my readings. Thank you for any advice in the matter and again appreciate any information, advice on continuing the breeding of quality birds.