Alternatives to medication?

Ratpigeon · February 1, 2008

I'm probably not going to be too popular here as I'm a rat owner, not a pigeon owner, but I was hoping to get a bit of info if you don't mind

Apparently pigeons are treated with some of the same antibiotics as fancy rats, like Enrofloxacin(Baytril) and Doxycycline and reading around here I noticed baytril isn't used for pigeons anymore in the UK and saw a post where someone mentioned alternatives to antibiotics? Is this just good general care, etc. or do you use immune boosting supplements or some sort of natural treatments? Also, I was wondering why baytril isn't used anymore, was it causing other health problems in the birds?

It's just general curiosity really, fancy rats as a "species" tend to have a lot of respiratory problems(mostly caused by the underlying mycoplasma the majority of them carry) and baytril is the usual treatment, often used in combination with doxy. Echinacea is recommended as an immune booster, but other than that it's pretty much a treat them, keep their airspace clean, etc.

I hope I'm not offending anyone by posting here, I really appreciate any info you can give ;p

Lennut Tar · February 1, 2008

I'm probably not going to be too popular here as I'm a rat owner, not a pigeon owner, but I was hoping to get a bit of info if you don't mind

Apparently pigeons are treated with some of the same antibiotics as fancy rats, like Enrofloxacin(Baytril) and Doxycycline and reading around here I noticed baytril isn't used for pigeons anymore in the UK and saw a post where someone mentioned alternatives to antibiotics? Is this just good general care, etc. or do you use immune boosting supplements or some sort of natural treatments? Also, I was wondering why baytril isn't used anymore, was it causing other health problems in the birds?

It's just general curiosity really, fancy rats as a "species" tend to have a lot of respiratory problems(mostly caused by the underlying mycoplasma the majority of them carry) and baytril is the usual treatment, often used in combination with doxy. Echinacea is recommended as an immune booster, but other than that it's pretty much a treat them, keep their airspace clean, etc.

I hope I'm not offending anyone by posting here, I really appreciate any info you can give ;p

"Ratpigeon" I've known a few rats in my time, ;D ;D ;D :D

My 2 bobs worth/advice etc. You may like to look up "Canda Plex" on the internet, could be of interest to you & give you a few ideas for the future. I have found it of benefit at times. Not only for me, but the pigeons too, but then ;) I'm a bit of a herbal freak you could say.

Enjoy