Why a special section about antibiotics? Because these are some of the most misunderstood and misused medications on the planet. Overuse of these types of medications in your lovebirds can make them vulnerable to fungal infections. Misuse can lead to the development of resistant strains of bacteria, untreatable by your veterinarian.

Many people fear people fear antibiotics. They believe they are inherently bad humans and for their lovebirds. This belief is unfortunately based on the misuse and abuse of antibiotics and has nothing to do with their true value. Antibiotics are allies when used properly but can create havoc when used improperly.

Antibiotics are bacteriostatic and bactericidal medications. they basically inhibit the growth of or kill bacteria. However, not all antibiotics can destroy all types of bacteria. Over the succeeding generations since the invention of penicillin, many new classes of antibiotics have been created to deal with various bacteria, such as fluoroquinolones, one of the more popular classes used by avian veterinarians (Baytril is an example). If you give the wrong antibiotic for a specific bacteria, you either do nothing or, in some cases, allow the development of more resistant strains.

Antibiotics must be given for a prescribed period of time. Doctors and veterinarians do not prescribe antibiotics for ten days because it sounds like a good amount of time. They do this because they have data to support this time frame to kill an invading pathogen adequately. Therefore, when people do not comply with the proper course just because they see the lovebird is feeling better, they risk leaving the more resistant bacteria behind. This can result in an even more virulent infection soon after. The bacteria can even mutate and develop resistance to the antibiotic. Then doctors have to take out the bigger guns. Sometimes these stronger antibiotics work, sometimes they do not. Therefore, not following the prescribed course can be life threatening.

Many people do not understand how resistance works. They think a single person becomes resistant to antibiotic. In fact, the bacteria become resistant. You have, in effect, created a more deadly strain. You might say you have unleashed a bigger, more deadly pathogen on your community as a whole. What this means is that people are responsible for all humans and animals when using antibiotics. Irresponsible use affects everyone.

Many times, a lovebird will show early signs of infection. These might be change in fecal consistency, loss of appetite, increased need for attention, increased sleeping, or other, more subtle signs. By the time your lovebird is sitting on the bottom of the cage, you are in a dire situation. It needs immediate care. The next step is to get the lovebird to an avian veterinarian will often prescribe an antibiotic based on a smear that he or she looks at under a microscope. The veterinarian should also take a blood sample to send to the lab for further analysis. While waiting for the results to come back would be ideal, if a lovebird is deathly ill, starting it on something right away while awaiting results is best, even if a specific pathogen has not yet been identified. However, do not rely on this as the only treatment for your lovebird. those culture results are important. They will allow your veterinarian to choose the best antibiotic based on antibiotic sensitivity testing. If the results show the antibiotic you have been giving is not the best choice, discuss with your veterinarian the options for switching over to a more appropriate medication. You do not just want to decide to stop the old and bring in the new. You may have to finish one course before starting the next. Discuss issues such as resistance with your veterinarian. This is important for the long-term health of your lovebird.

Over-the-Counter Medications
The worst thing you can do for your lovebird is self-diagnose its illness and then buy antibiotics at the pet store. These are typically mixed in water. They are very broad spectrum and are in almost all cases a complete waste of your money. You should never try to diagnose and treat your lovebird on your own. At best, these medications give a false sense of security and can cause you to waste valuable time when your lovebird could be getting proper medical care.

How to Administer Antibiotics
I am a firm believer that medications should be given directly to the lovebird by syringe in the mouth or injected. Mixing antibiotics in water as a shit-or-miss scenario. How much is it drinking? Is it drinking less because it does not like the taste? Is the lovebird drinking more because it is thirsty and therefore getting too much medication? The only way to determine if your lovebird is truly getting the exact, correct dosage is to give it orally. While this can be a struggle with some lovebirds, it is worth the effort. Young human children often do not want to take their medicine, but, as adults, we would never think twice about not making them take it. Your veterinarian can teach you how to restrain your lovebird properly to administer the medication.

Everything but the Kitchen Sink
Home remedies ar all well and good for humans, but do not experiment on your lovebirds. Lovebirds are not mammals. What works on humans does not necessarily work for them. Not giving your lovebird home remedies during antibiotic therapy is especially important. Some foods can inhibit the efficacy of these drugs. For example, do not add grapefruit seed extract to your lovebird's water as an  extra medication when you are giving it antibiotics. Grapefruit is one of the foods that is well-known by doctors to interfere with the absorption of some antibiotics. Natural is not by definition safe.