I have a sick bird. Help!

[moraf]

My male parrotlet, Pippen, is about 20 months old, and is always playful. Yesterday i left him alone for the night, and now when I get back about 24 hours later, he is acting really strange. He isn't able to keep his balance, and he only wants to sleep. When I feed him sunflower seeds (which he loves) he tries to eat them, but keeps stumbling around like he is drunk.

Are anyone here familiar with these symptoms, what should I do? The vet is closed until monday. :(

[ninjacherry]

There is no emergency vet in your area at all? This sounds very serious. I'm not a vet and can't tell you what to do, but I think that having a lower perch available for him and making sure your bird is always warm is something to keep in mind. Hopefully someone in here will have a clue as to what he may have...

[jodeg]

Yes, I think a visit to an avian vet or an emergency vet is in order as soon as possible. I'm not a vet either, but this does sound serious.

Keep us posted.

[enborgle]

I agree, he needs to see a vet pronto - you may have to drive a bit to find one open before Monday. These guys go downhill fast and I don't want to alarm you or be overly dramatic, but he may not last that long. Where are you located?

In the meantime, move him into a smaller cage or else move all of his existing perches way down low so he doesn't try to climb or fall. Pad the bottom of the cage a bit with a folded over towel and newspaper on top. If you have a heating pad, set it on low and put it underneath HALF the cage - make sure that there is room for him to move off of it if he gets too hot, and put the food and water dishes right on the bottom on the cool half.

[moraf]

I am located in northern norway. There are plenty of vets here, but i'm going to wait until tomorrow, we're staying up with him tonight. I've placed a heater near one side of the cage, and he's been sitting there, leaning on the bars.

He has been eating and drinking thogh, i guess thats a good sign?

[moraf]

ok, update. He seems almost normal today, cleaning himself and responding well to stimuli. Still a little wobbly at times though, so i will check with a veterinarian tomorrow.

[ninjacherry]

That does sound better, let us know how things go with the vet!

[Flugmeister]

ok, update. He seems almost normal today, cleaning himself and responding well to stimuli. Still a little wobbly at times though, so i will check with a veterinarian tomorrow.

I believe your bird may have been the victim of a bit of either CO or other gas poisoning. What kind of heater?

Keep in mind that small birds react far quicker and with more severe symptoms to gas (and chemicals) than humans do. This is why canaries were taken into mines as a warning system for poisonous gas. Your lungs are orders of magnitude in volume compared to a parrotlet, this is why they feel effects so readily.

[Sondra]

How is this little guy?

[Jose's Mom]

I believe your bird may have been the victim of a bit of either CO or other gas poisoning. What kind of heater?

Keep in mind that small birds react far quicker and with more severe symptoms to gas (and chemicals) than humans do. This is why canaries were taken into mines as a warning system for poisonous gas. Your lungs are orders of magnitude in volume compared to a parrotlet, this is why they feel effects so readily.


I too was concerned about this.. wonder how EVERYONE is doing- if you read this- please respond.

[moraf]

ok, he seemed better for about a week, then yesterday he started acting "drunk" again. We got an amergency appointment at the vet, and she told us it was probably caused by vitamin deficiency. They are very sensitive to this, and he is an extremely picky eater. He got a vitamin and anti-inflammatory shot.

We also went to the pet store to get some liquid vitamin boost to put in his drinking water. Today he seems completely normal again, although a bit tired after all the commotion yesterday.

[moraf]

double post

[moraf]

I believe your bird may have been the victim of a bit of either CO or other gas poisoning. What kind of heater?

Keep in mind that small birds react far quicker and with more severe symptoms to gas (and chemicals) than humans do. This is why canaries were taken into mines as a warning system for poisonous gas. Your lungs are orders of magnitude in volume compared to a parrotlet, this is why they feel effects so readily.

We thought about this at first, but there is no gas in my apartment, only electric heating, so we're not worried about that.

[Bodie]

Have you thought about adding some pellets to his diet?

[moraf]

Have you thought about adding some pellets to his diet?

yes, the vet recommended this as well. They were out of stock at the pet store, but we'll get to it as soon as possible.

[qtbirds]

I'm a fan of Classic Quiko egg food now. It is a good supplement that birds seem to enjoy so it's more readily accepted than other vitamin supplements. It's a nutritious egg biscuit (cookie) that has vitamins and proteins. It smells like anise a little bit. You can sprinkle it on their food dry or feed it slightly moist so it's like cake and not crispy like cookies. If you feed fruits or veggies, then you can sprinkle Quiko on them too. On the package it says you can put other supplements on the Quiko.