[Alyahs]

I need advice, please. My parrotlet, who is 9 years old, started to become lethargic and slept all the time a few days ago. I noticed undigested seeds in his poop, so I went to an avian vet who made a test and gram stain. She said she needs a second opinion because she's not sure about the bacteria she found. I saw the photo of the bacteria she took and I'm certain it's a megabacteria - avian gastric yeast (AGY). I checked the internet and this seems to be AGY, so I don't understand how a certified avian vet cannot know it.
In the first visit, she prescribed an antibiotic for 3 days, but my bird felt worse. When I called to tell her I thought it was AGY, she said it could be another bacteria, but we could start treatment for it. I received the medication today, but I'm having trouble administering it as it's only 0.03 ml and the syringe is hardly pushing it out. I'm unsure if my bird received the full dose. How can I do it properly?
I bought apple cider and added 15ml to 1 liter of water and filled his bottles. What else can I do? He is eating a lot, but it's quite normal for birds with AGY, and sleep a lot. He's losing weight and is only 25 grams now. I don't know what else to do.
The veterinary clinic I went to is an avian and exotic clinic, and they are avian vets. So, please don't suggest finding a second opinion as I cannot find another one. However, I am disappointed with the lack of diagnosis, which should be quite easy.
The medication I have is - Voriconazole

 

[HarryTheParrotlet]

A drop is equal to 0.05 ml (still a bit over). Maybe a dropper would be more effective? I wouldn't want to go against any avian vet advice, perhaps someone else may have suggestions. (Eggfood maybe?).

 

[HarryTheParrotlet]

Here's a thread describing someone who went through this.

Gastric Yeast

 

[Alyahs]

Here's a thread describing someone who went through this.

Gastric Yeast

Thank you. It was a very interesting read. It answered my question about how much apple cider vinegar I can give to my bird. However, I'm not sure how I can get my parrotlet to drink more liquid. He only drinks a little

 

[Rubydoo252]

When giving Tumi meds, we ended up using a syringe (without the needle) that is normally used for diabetics. I was able to get them free at my local pharmacy. I am sure there are youtube videos about giving meds, but I sort of wiggled the syringe into the back of Tumi's beak and then put the drop in his beak. Really, it might seem like almost no medicine is going in the bird, but the bird weighs almost nothing so a drop is enough.
Diagnosis is often hard for our tiny creatures. Blood work and most tests aren't possible, so the vet is left with what they can find that our creatures are showing. I am very glad that you are getting proper care for your bird, even if it seems frustrating that there isn't an easy answer.

 

[Alyahs]

Thank you to everybody for the advice, but my bird has just died. I thought he was starting to feel better - he ate and played in the afternoon. However, he fell off his perch while sleeping, and after I picked him up, he died after 5 minutes. I am heartbroken as I had him for nearly 10 years.💔

 

[Rubydoo252]

I'm so sorry for your loss. That is the horrible trade-off for loving such an amazing creature - rarely do we get warning when the end is near. We give them the best life we can for however long we have them, and that is the best that we can ever hope for. You did everything that you could, and you loved him, and that is all that we dream of for our birds.

 

[Alyahs]

I'm so sorry for your loss. That is the horrible trade-off for loving such an amazing creature - rarely do we get warning when the end is near. We give them the best life we can for however long we have them, and that is the best that we can ever hope for. You did everything that you could, and you loved him, and that is all that we dream of for our birds.

Thank you for your kind words. It's a difficult time today - too quiet at home and so empty. I didn't think I would miss the screaming. He was quite a screamer, but now I miss it. I blame myself for not realizing that something was wrong much earlier. His behavior changed in the last few weeks, and I thought it was just because spring was coming, so maybe he was hormonal. But he never had health problems before, so I didn't know much about the early symptoms. I miss him so much.

 

[Anya]

I am so sorry for your loss. It is never easy. They become so dear to our hearts and fill our lives up in such a very special way. When they go, it feels like a void. Like you, I remember thinking I would never get used to the quiet in the house. And at times I thought I heard her! Please do not blame yourself - They are so dang good at hiding their illness. By the time they are showing signs, a lot of times it is too late. You tried your best to help him - that is all any of us can do for our birds. You gave him a good life and he was loved. You are a good bird mom. He will always be in your heart. Fly high liitle one!!

 

[Alyahs]

I am so sorry for your loss. It is never easy. They become so dear to our hearts and fill our lives up in such a very special way. When they go, it feels like a void. Like you, I remember thinking I would never get used to the quiet in the house. And at times I thought I heard her! Please do not blame yourself - They are so dang good at hiding their illness. By the time they are showing signs, a lot of times it is too late. You tried your best to help him - that is all any of us can do for our birds. You gave him a good life and he was loved. You are a good bird mom. He will always be in your heart. Fly high liitle one!!

Thank you for your kind words.As you said Anya, you thought you heard your bird's voice. Today, I started cleaning the cage,and from the outside of the house I heard an identical voice to my bird's, an angry voice, just like my parrotlet used to make when I touched his cage. He loved his cage very much and didn't like it when someone touched it.

 

[Anya]

Isn't that something? I bet you anything that we are not the only ones that have experienced something like this. You may have some more occurrences of it happening. I think in a month I heard chirping and whistling three or four times. And then it stopped.

 

[Anya]

Alyahs, I came across a possible explanation to why we may have heard our birds after they passed. (The link below). Supposedly, it does happen to a lot of people who lose "pets". I have had a lot of pets in my lifetime, and have grieved each one of them, but that was a first time experience for me. It very well may be our minds way of processing our grief. A lot of people may think this explanation makes sense, and it does to me, too. But, all the same, I know if Cleopatra could let me know she was okay, she would have. I think for those of us who love our birds there is an unbreakable bond with them that never ends. That's what gives me comfort. And I hope it does for you too through this hard time. {{Sending you hugs.}}
Anya

I can still hear my bird peeping at me every now and then from where is cage was even though he has been dead for around a month. Is this...

Answer (1 of 2): It is, indeed, normal. You are not going crazy. Lots of people still experience hearing their pets, expecting them to be there, even sometimes mistaking another object for a quick glimpse of the pet. It’s not ghosts. Even though you, intellectually know what has happened, your br...

www.quora.com

 

[Alyahs]

Alyahs, I came across a possible explanation to why we may have heard our birds after they passed. (The link below). Supposedly, it does happen to a lot of people who lose "pets". I have had a lot of pets in my lifetime, and have grieved each one of them, but that was a first time experience for me. It very well may be our minds way of processing our grief. A lot of people may think this explanation makes sense, and it does to me, too. But, all the same, I know if Cleopatra could let me know she was okay, she would have. I think for those of us who love our birds there is an unbreakable bond with them that never ends. That's what gives me comfort. And I hope it does for you too through this hard time. {{Sending you hugs.}}
Anya

I can still hear my bird peeping at me every now and then from where is cage was even though he has been dead for around a month. Is this...

Answer (1 of 2): It is, indeed, normal. You are not going crazy. Lots of people still experience hearing their pets, expecting them to be there, even sometimes mistaking another object for a quick glimpse of the pet. It’s not ghosts. Even though you, intellectually know what has happened, your br...

www.quora.com

Thank you, Anya, for the link. It brought some comfort to me. I miss my bird so much - his soft voice, his singing, and talking. I only just put away his cage today, and the room feels so empty. Could you please tell me if you bought another parrotlet after yours died? If so, how long did you wait to buy another bird? And if you have another parrotlet, how do you feel, and how is he different from the one that passed away?

 

[Anya]

Awww! It sounds like he was a wonderful little bird - sweet, yet full of personality! What was his name? You know if you want, you can do a memorial for him here on the forum. We have a section called Parrotlet Rainbow Bridge where you can tell us more about your little guy and people can read about him for a long time.

I remember that feeling after taking down Cleopatra's cage and playstation down. It was sooo hard to see empty spaces that were once so full of life. They really do make an impact on our lives, don't they? Yes, I got another bird! I got him six months after Cleopatra died. My breeder is such a kind soul, and wanted me to have another bird so he gave Pugsley to me for free. Plus he was wonderful about sending me pictures from the time Pugsley was three weeks old, and I don't know, but I just got such a good feeling about him right from the start. And my feeling were spot on! He is such a great little bird - he is so happy all the time. Super playful. I love him to pieces! How do Pugsley and Cleopatra differ? I would say that Pugsley is more outgoing - Cleopatra was more of a snuggle bird and more easily scared of things. She was very bonded to me, but I think Pugsley will be too. At ten months old, he is already letting me pick him up! You will know when you are ready for another bird. Listen to your heart. Do what is right for you! Some people get another bird right away, and others take longer - either way is okay! You sound like such a loving person that any bird would very lucky to have you! 💗