Need some advice.

[acc11]

My parents just acquired a Blue Parrotlet from someone who did not want him anymore, we've had him here for about a week now and he's been great since, chirpy, very active, loves to play with the new toys we put in there and eats his seed (apparently he wasn't eating before for the other owner - probably because they had the wrong seed). So the pet store gave us the same seed they feed their parrotlets there.

We are not 100% sure if its male or female or exactly how old it is, we guess under 6 months.

I researched the white things on his head, they are pinfeathers, he hasn't been comfortable enough to come to anyones hand so I can't really help him much. He does have a water dish in the cage but doesn't seem to go to it, my mom only said she has seen him once there.

and now.. Today he has been quiet, no sounds at all, and he's been moving his head around in circles and backwards and all sorts of directions, I'm guessing because the pinfeathers are bugging him, but as a result he has fell of his perch now twice, and he just seems out of it, not moving around much at all, except for his head. The first time he fell my dad put his hand in there and he struggled a bit to get back up to the perch in ana attempt to run from the giant hand.

We left him to relax fora an hour or so. I went back to the cage and he was on the perch near the middle (when we left he was at the end leaning on the actual cage also).

I put my hand in to see if he would come to me and he didn't move, I was able to pet his head and everything and he didn't run from me, which I find weird. I put some water on my finger and stroked his head and touched his beak and still he just sat there. Sometimes closing his eyes.

His wings are clipped but I think he might have injured his wing the first time he feel due to the struggle getting back up looked like something with one of his wings. But why is he moving his head so much and then losing his balance?

I can't say for sure if he ever got proper care or not. Sigh..

[acc11]

He is now back up on his highest perch, I did not see him get up there but I see he is now up there, so I guess thats a good thing he got up on his own.

[Pauliesmom]

I think it's time for a visit to the vet. They usually don't just fall off a perch.

[acc11]

He fell a third time now plop to the bottom. Just today :( rest of the week he has been perfectly fine. I let me parents know they should go to the vet so it's up to them now..

[ttoilleecarg]

yeah definatly a vet visit is needed, he doesnt sound so hot to me.
it could be anything wrong with him, the only way to sort it is to take him to the vets.
let us know how you get on

[jodeg]

Yes, I agree, a visit to the vet is definitely in order. Something must be wrong. Poor baby!

[Roger]

I too am new to the prlt ownership. Glad to hear youre taking him to the vet. One thing I have found is a week is not very long for them to gain your trust. Be patient.

[michiganlet]

I would take his perches out and leave one very low on the bottom. You have to keep him from falling all the time. Perhaps put a towel in the bottom of the cage.
He definetly needs to see an avian vet.
Good Luck

[Tina&Jeremy]

And...not to add panic to the situtation, but the sooner the better...once they get sick they can decline really quickly, and it sounds like he's not well...

Pleas keep us posted - sending well wishes to you and your bird!!!

[acc11]

It's not looking good at all. My parents do not want to take him to a vet, especially not today since today as it's a holiday. Tomorrow they cannot either since my mom has radiation treatments then. My dad wanted this bird as it was for free.. I live here and I'm an animal person and I can't watch this :O I don't drive else I would take him myself, the closest emergency clinic is a bit of a ways to go.

He's getting worse now just in a matter of hours since this only started this morning!
I'm pretty frustrated. I'm almost certain in a couple of days a vet would be too late.

As I said before though I have no idea the care it got before this week, but while he was here the few days he was very active and talkative until this morning, since the events today he has not made a single sound. And has now begun leaning sideways supporting himself and struggling to stand up straight.

GAH!!
god bless him.

[Tina&Jeremy]

I would never ever presume to tell anyone what to do, and I'm so sorry you're going through this very difficult situation, but...it really does sound like your poor bird is suffering. Please please do what you can for him as soon as you can...I understand that the bird was free and that vets are expensive, but your parents took on a great responsibility when they accepted him into your home. I don't think it's right to just let him suffer...

We had a parrotlet for two days who seemed ok but was mid-seizure when we came home one evening. It was devastating to witness, and to this day we wish we could have done something to save him (turns out we likely couldn't have, but still). It might not be too late for your bird...

I really don't want to sound harsh, but please try to talk to your parents. Be an advocate for your little bird who can't speak for himself.

[Jinx n Noodle]

Maybe you can get a neighbor or something to help or something (like drive you and the little guy to the vet), but I would definitely agree that a vet visit is in order...

[jodeg]

Oh, I'm so sorry. It doesn't look good at all for your Parrotlet. If your parents won't take him to the vet, there isn't much you can do. Try to keep him warm and comfortable, put his perches down low in the cage or take them out, pet him a little and talk to him in a quiet voice, let him know you're there.

I'm so sorry for your little bird and that you have to see this. Comfort him as best you can. Hang in there, let us know what happens.

[acc11]

First of all, thanks everyone for your replies. They are appreciated

I'm almost thinking each time he is having a seizure it's starting to look like it now, because he shakes and flaps when he falls to the bottom, now only has the lowest perch to sit on. when he gathers himself again he gets back up there.

This last time he was sitting on the perch napping when he fell and began on a few seconds of shaking and flapping, then he's disoriented afterward. So I don't think he will last much longer, especially not along enough for my parents. So I will keep him company for as long as I can.

I wonder what caused this though.

[enborgle]

Oh dear, this sounds very serious. I doubt very much he will recover, certainly not without proper medical attention. As others have said, move his perches, food and water low to the bottom of the cage, fold a towel on the tray for some padding and try to keep him warm and comfortable until he goes. It's unfortunate that your parents haven't been willing to show a little more compassion.

[rfeaton]

why get a bird if you are not going to care for it!!!!! upsets me to no end

[Evelyn]

rfeaton, it is her parents bird and she dosen't drive, and her mother is very ill taking radiation..so it is kind of hard for her, they rescued this lttle guy about a week ago and didn't know there was a problem..give her a break..sometimes people can only do so much, no need to tell her off..

[Jackorama]

why get a bird if you are not going to care for it!!!!! upsets me to no end

rfeaton, basically I would agree with your statement, but acc11 came here for help. I have to commend acc11 for seeking help with something that is beyond his/her control. You can see from acc11 post that he/she is probably young and still lives at home under his/her parents rules. The father got the parrotlet because it was free, not acc11.

acc11, We are sorry you are having to deal with this kind of situation. Follow what enborgle and other say about keeping the little one comfortable. When the time comes just remember with the little resources you had, you cared and did all you could for this little guy.

[BeakerLuvsBunsen]

sounds like some kind of lead poisoning but I am not a vet
perhaps a neighbor or relative can take the bird in for care?

[Monica&Roxy]

why get a bird if you are not going to care for it!!!!! upsets me to no end

This situation is very upsetting i would have to say i agree with you here although i wouldnt be as harsh.. it isnt her fault and at least she is doing what she can to try to help this little guy. But it isnt fair to the bird he went from one unwilling owner to another. Like some other members said keep him as comfortable as you can.

[raiven]

A very sad situation for a young person. Sorry that your bird is suffering and sorry that your mother is ill as well. If the little guy has lead or zinc poisoning it most likely came from his cage or something in it he was chewing. I think lead poisoning is difficult to treat and expensive. What you could do is phone an avian vet and just ask them for advice. A phone call is free. It might put your mind at ease to let you know what the best you can do for you bird is under your circumstances. Sorry again, these little guys are such sweet, smart critters when they are healthy well-cared for pets.

[Tina&Jeremy]

Yes, absolutely, even after hours an avian vet will speak with you over the phone. An excellent idea, raiven.

[ttoilleecarg]

over the phone is a good idea, but if that doesnt work for what ever reason, have you thought about taking him to some sort of animal shelter?

when one of our old dogs go cancer and we couldnt afford the treatments, we took her to the PDSA and they sorted her out, and only asked for a small contribution to the vets bills.
and with people like the RSPCA, even if they have no one there who can help, they will often have other people helping out that can help.
its worth a shot.
and i understand that you might not be able to drive to it - its just an idea, but if you couldnt get to the shelter, they might know someone closer to you who colud help

[ParrotletsRock]

As a last resort you can most likely surrender the bird to a shelter... just tell them you cannot afford the treatment but want to make sure it is looked after .

[louiselaust]

So sorry to hear such troublesome news! My prayers and thoughts are with you!

I does not sound like good news, so take good care of the little poor thing.

If your family talks of adopting another bird (or any other pet) maybe keep in mind, thats it's not such a good idea, if they are unwilling to take it to a vet for treatment. Here I think not only on the animal, but also on you... No one should have to go through what you're going through, when help might have been provided.

God bless...

[acc11]

He passed away today. now he can fly free

thanks everyone for your replies, and I'm sorry I know you all love your birds.
My parents just didn't want to spend the vet money on a bird that has only been here a few days and was given away for free, maybe the person who gave him away should be somewhat responsible for this.. they were not prepared for a sick bird, they have some other priorities right now.

we have 2 cats, 1 is 5 and the other 2, and they go to the vet when needed, and they have spent lots on the vet earlier this year for our 14 year old dog who developed a tumor, he passed away too a few months after it all began so it was alot of vet trips for him.

i think they know now that they shouldn't just be taking in any bird without knowing anything about it. so I hope if they ever want another that they do it right.

thanks again, take care everyone.

[jodeg]

I'm so sorry you had to go through all this, but you did the best you could, under the circumstances. At least the little bird is at peace now.

[rubberstampman]

That is just so sad but sounds like he may have already had something wrong with him when you got him and the stress of being in a new place was just too much for the little guy. but that's what we do in life is learn some hard lessons and put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward and learn from our mistakes ((not that any of this was your fault at all)) I'm just saying... at least he's not suffering anymore. sounds like you have a lot on your plate with all those pets and a sick mom to boot........take care and good luck......so sorry you lost the little guy.......I hope the person who gave your dad the bird didn't knowingly pawn a sick bird off on him without telling him, that would be very disturbing......

[Pauliesmom]

So sorry...hope things get better for you family for the rest of the year.

[Evelyn]

Aww sorry to hear that the little guy passed, you did all you could..I am very proud of you..

[Smiley89]

I'm so sorry about your little guy. Nursing a pet who is in his last hours is one of the most heart wrenching and bravest things we can do. Sometimes unwavering love is the very best we can do when the situation is out of our control. Rest assured that he knew that you loved him. He was very lucky to have you as a friend. I hope things start getting better for you.
All the best

[ttoilleecarg]

im so sorry to hear that he passed, and that you had to go through this.
this is just heart breaking

[acc11]

thanks for all your kind words, means alot to me.