We often get inquiries
asking us which is more appropriate to use Guardian Angel or Survive.
Below is an article helping you to decide between
Guardian Angel and Survive.
Please remember - If in doubt send us an e-mail or phone:
Many people have Guardian Angel and Survive in their
cupboard 'just in case' and need help deciding which to use.
In selecting which product to use there are two considerations
1. What is the greatest need of the bird?
2. What is the easiest way to administer the
products?
1. The key issue is that Survive is an emergency food
so it is used where 'starvation' is the greatest threat. It can make up
to 100% of the diet in very sick birds. In these extreme conditions it
is normally given by crop tube.
A bird will probably be getting somewhere around 5 - 10% of his food
intake as Survive by adding it to fresh foods or sprinkling it onto
pellets. It looks (from the response) as if this or even less is working
very well. Poly-Aid(Survive) have been upgraded and now contains
everything that Guardian Angel contains except the probiotics. Basically
we leave them out of this product so we do not conflict with any
antibiotics a vet may want to use. So Poly-Aid(Survive) works on the
immune system and provides nutrients (energy, protein and vits/mins)
that are easily absorbed even from a poorly functioning gut. Obviously
if Poly-Aid(Survive) is used at low levels the quantity of these 'extra'
nutrients is quite small. It is the nature of the protein and energy
that will really having an impact.
2. Guardian Angel is a 'health drink' though it can
be used as you are on food as well. GA is most applicable where the bird
is dehydrating. This may be caused by diarrhoea, heat stress etc. So the
balance of the nutrients in this product are different from Poly-Aid(Survive)
(less energy, no protein and far more of the micro nutrients, digestive
and immune support). GA contains slightly less immune and digestive
support ingredients than Poly-Aid(Survive) simply because we have made
GA water soluble and some of these ingredients don't dissolve.
The issues to consider are this:
a. You can use as much Poly-Aid(Survive) as you like
- no risks
b. Don't overdo the Guardian Angel - too much will
cause the bird to drink huge quantities of water. Adding it to water at
the recommended dose is safer for very small birds - but see c. below.
c. There is a potential conflict between the probiotics in GA and
antibiotics. Assuming the antibiotic is in the drinking water and the GA
is on the food there is unlikely to be a problem with this.
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