The yeast Macrorhabdus sp., which causes digestive issues, is the source of the bird sickness known as avian gastric yeast infection.
Go to comments (4)
Diagnosis
Fresh faecal samples are utilized as a rapid diagnostic technique for avian gastric yeast because it is transported from the faeces to the mouth. Because the organism is only seldom discharged in droppings, faecal tests are not very precise. Uninfection is not ruled out by a negative test. A microscope is used in cytology to search for organisms in animal droppings. Using the acid-fast [AFB] procedure, the organisms can be dyed.
More accurate but more costly and time-consuming is the PCR test.
Only histology, a tissue sample, can provide a conclusive diagnosis of avian stomach yeast infection. Due to the complications and risk of a surgical operation, an isthmus tissue sample is typically taken after death.
Treatment
Depending on the severity of the bird's clinical indications, different treatments have different results. An anti-fungal is Amphotericin B is often used as treatment. When amphotericin B fails, another antifungal called fluconazole is employed.
Prevention
For the prevention of avian gastric yeast, there is no vaccination. Eliminating the infection from your flock is the only way to stop it from spreading. Before adding additional birds to the flock, quarantine them for 30 days. All new birds require a veterinary examination.
In Memory of Basil - Basil's Last few Weeks before succumbing to the disease
I've been noticing Basil feeling off for a week so I decided to book an appointment with our avian vet. Basil she went from 54 gm to 44 gm, we decided to do some tests. Our vet did two fecal test (gram stain and a direct smear) and had blood work done. I had to wait for about a week to get news from the blood work but her fecal tests showed she had avian gastric yeast. Due to this, Basil had to take 5 units of Amphotericin B (antifungal medication) orally every 12 hours for 30 days.
Our vet suggest that, although not certain, she most likely got it from Sky and Ocean — the newest additions to my flock. Sky and Ocean (and the rest of my flock) are not showing any symtoms other than Basil. In short, all five of my birds will be on medication. Since it would be hard to give all five birds daily meds, it was decided that their medication will be going in their water bowl but Basil will be separated so I can give hers orally.
Few days later, her blood work came in. Her white cell was high (due to some infection). This time around, our avian vet decided to stop the medication for gastric yeast and work on addressing an infection she might be fighting.
Basil got some fluids, force fed with a syringe, and a shot to give her a boost to address the infection. She was also given some pain medication.
She's dropped to 34 grams and I was really hoping she would bounce back and gain some weight back. She was put on Baytril twice a day and our vet said we should see improvements by day 3 latest.
Losing a bird you deeply cared for, loved, and was very attached too is always very difficult. I'm just so heartbroken and lost because I was so hopeful that Basil would make it. Basil passed away at 7:46 p.m. On my palms. She took a deep breath, turned her head towards me, and was just gone. I closed her eyes as they were open momentarily and held her for an hour Before burying her beside Snowy, Limon and Kiwi.
She was booked for a follow-up on July 28th. On day 3, I noticed a steady decline in her weight. I decided to give my clinic a call because Basil was not improving; she was declining rapidly. She was going to be seen today but, she knew it was her time to go.
Some may not have known, but I got Basil from a subscriber who saw my videos on youtube. She initially sold two of Basil's friends but was surprised that they were being re-sold online at a higher price the following day. She decided to send me a long email about Basil. And, that was it... She was mine. If you land on this post just one day, I'm so sorry. I tried my best to help her get better. She had plenty of toys, a great diet, and vets who took great care of her.
Basil was such a brave and courageous birdie. She was not great at flying because she was an English budgie, but she enjoyed the company of the many friends she made over the short two years she had with me. I know the quality of life is more important than quantity – but I really miss her. It's so unfair for such a beautiful bird to be gone so soon.
This post was made to educate bird owners on Avian Gastric Yeast but also what signs to look for.
Avian Gastric Yeast in Birds
Comments (4)
I’m so sorry you lost Basil. Mikey, my budgie, was diagnosed with AGY recently. He tested positive last April for Avian Ganglio Neuritis. Clinical signs began with regurgitation. Progressed to projectile vomiting. Fecal gram did not reveal any yeast. He has been having Onsior injections since that time in February the injections made him worse. I told my vet. We did bloodwork and a CT scan
Bloodwork was all normal. The scan revealed gas bubbles throughout his tract. Fecal stain this time revealed yeast. The compounded prescriptikn medicine arrived two days ago. He will take it for 30 days. My avian vet said to also put organic cider vinegar in his water. 2 tablespoons to four cups of water. He is taking Celebrex and a medication to reduce regurgitation. I dont know what to expect, but, hoping for the best.
I’m so sorry you lost Basil. Mikey, my budgie, was diagnosed with AGY recently. He tested positive last April for Avian Ganglio Neuritis. Clinical signs began with regurgitation. Progressed to projectile vomiting. Fecal gram did not reveal any yeast. He has been having Onsior injections since that time in February the injections made him worse. I told my vet. We did bloodwork and a CT scan
Bloodwork was all normal. The scan revealed gas bubbles throughout his tract. Fecal stain this time revealed yeast. The compounded prescriptikn medicine arrived two days ago. He will take it for 30 days. My avian vet said to also put organic cider vinegar in his water. 2 tablespoons to four cups of water. He is taking Celebrex and a medication to reduce regurgitation. I dont know what to expect, but, hoping for the best.
Recently lost two likely to AGY.
Squeak who was a baby just past first moulting, rescued from a deceased estate, as a result not well cared for in the aviary, seemed to pick up, big appetite, then sudden loss of weight, exhaustion, stopped eating.
Harry who was a spectacular green, yellow faced spangle and like your Basil, very tame, loving and our great friend, only three years old.
Made us hyper vigilant and we have just had another with symptoms seen by vet and started on fluconazole along with his cage mates so four on 12 hourly doses for a month! If they all make it we will be so relieved.
Recently lost two likely to AGY.
Squeak who was a baby just past first moulting, rescued from a deceased estate, as a result not well cared for in the aviary, seemed to pick up, big appetite, then sudden loss of weight, exhaustion, stopped eating.
Harry who was a spectacular green, yellow faced spangle and like your Basil, very tame, loving and our great friend, only three years old.
Made us hyper vigilant and we have just had another with symptoms seen by vet and started on fluconazole along with his cage mates so four on 12 hourly doses for a month! If they all make it we will be so relieved.