Anyone know anything about birds and illness?

[Ryan]

The past couple of days, I've noticed that my bird's been acting kind of strange: sleeping during the day, not talking as much, etc. About two days ago, I noticed that he's been eating less and less.

Today when I got up and his was sitting at the bottom of his cage and his food and water were untouched (I changed the water the day before).

He's really weak, and in general he's lost alot of weigh too. I'm currently trying to get him to drink some Juicy-Juice because he hasn't been drinking, but he's not taking much in.

I'm afraid that he might need some specialist care, yet I can't find on here in this dumpy town Do most vets in general treat birds?

Edit:

Well - he's getting progressively better. I really think it's because I moved his cage, he's started eating some, and sharted chattering up a storm today. Thanks for the advice guys - you literally saved my bird!

 

[Encryptic]

Sorry to hear about the bird.

I'd call around to some vets and find out if any of them treat birds or can give you a reference to someone who does.

 

[Cooler]

poor bird I hope it gets better.

 

[sao123]

hes got the bird flu... and your next.
bird flu...oh on


seriously tho, indoorbirds especially parakeets are succeptable to extreme emotional disorders. He can be distressed because of a change in temperature, or just by moving his cage. Any recent changes to his environment you can think of?

 

[Ryan]

I've been trying ot think of anything that's changed - and the only thing that has in the past few weeks is the location of his cage (my christmas tree is in front of the window his cage usually is at).

I busted out a bran muffin, and he's eating some of it.

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: sao123
hes got the bird flu... and your next.
bird flu...oh on


seriously tho, indoorbirds especially parakeets are succeptable to extreme emotional disorders. He can be distressed because of a change in temperature, or just by moving his cage. Any recent changes to his environment you can think of?

I replied before I read this - I'm moving his cage back now.

 

[iroast]

move his cage back. the christmas tree can be somewhere else

 

[Cooler]

try putting a mirror in cage .

 

[Krazy4Real]

omg put the bird next to the window again before it dies.

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: Ryan
I've been trying ot think of anything that's changed - and the only thing that has in the past few weeks is the location of his cage (my christmas tree is in front of the window his cage usually is at).

I busted out a bran muffin, and he's eating some of it.

try putting him by another window.

 

[rahul]

Not to alarm you, but you might want to have your parrot tested for Psittacosis.

Psittacosis

 

[Ryan]

Yeah - I already moved him back in front of the window, and he's been eating some decent portions of the bran muffin. He already seems much more responsive after drinking some of the juice and eating - hopefully he'll start feeling better.

 

[leftyman]

mmm..roast bird with dressing and gravy

 

[rabiesdvm]

Encryptic has it right, check with your DVM and see if he/she does bird work. If they don't, they can either refer you to someone that does or they can consult with a bird expert for assistance. In fact, some of the nations's bird experts are in FL.

One thing to remember is that once a bird shows that it is sick, the illness has usually progressed. Evolution has set it up so that they don't show signs early in disease and only show signs later in disease.

Good luck.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: rahul
Not to alarm you, but you might want to have your parrot tested for Psittacosis.

Psittacosis - fixed

 

[DrPizza]

uhhh, what kind of bird?
how old?

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
uhhh, what kind of bird?
how old?

He's a Rainbow Lory, don't know his exact age, but I've had him for about 6 years. He's responding to me feeding him very well, he's eatin alot of bran. But his poop is still very runny - mostly clear liquid with a very small amount of food matter.

I'm thinking he might be dehydrated - is pedialyte bad for birds?

 

[mercanucaribe]

You're in trouble when you start showing the same symptoms. Then we're all in trouble when it goes from person to person to person to bird to person to person.

 

[FiLeZz]

I have an african grey..


You need to seek out an Avian Veterinarian.

They have to have more education to become an Avian Veterinarian.

 

[FiLeZz]

the vet can run a stool sample.

 

[DrPizza]

IIRC, I did have to put one of my birds on a something like pedialyte.
(either a cockatiel or love bird)

Been a while since I've had indoor birds; I hate worrying so much about the temperature in the house.

 

[Ryan]

Well - he's getting progressively better. I really think it's because I moved his cage, he's started eating some, and sharted chattering up a storm today. Thanks for the advice guys - you literally saved my bird!

 

[scarpent]

Not me.

 

[sswingle]

Bird flu!

 

[aidanjm]

update? did the bird fully recover?