Possible sick Amazon

[sarabean]

Hi,

I know the first bit of advice I'll get is to take her to an avian vet. I intend to do so Monday, but I live in a place where there are no bird emergency vets, so I am looking for any knowledge I can find until then.

About 2 months ago, I rescued a 30 year-old Red-Lored Amazon, Angel. She was rescued from a bastard owner who smoked around her, so she does have breathing issues, similar to emphsyma.

The last 24 hours, she's been sitting on the top of her cage, often on both feet, and is a little puffed up. She's been sleeping a lot more and is quiet, even for her. She is eating fine and her poop is normal. She is still grooming, so that's good. She still bites, too, so she's normal like that! :)

Until I can get her to a qualified vet, has anyone seen anything like this? I am at a loss. The fact that she's eating and pooping is great. She's moving around ok. She's not having any trouble breathing, that I can see. I have turned the heat up and put her near a humidifier, so I don't think she's cold. Her feet feel normal, temperature-wise.

Please help!

[cherriesanglea]

my zons do that if they are cold is it chilly in your house?? i dont know or maybe she is scared?

[sarabean]

Well, it's pretty warm and my other Amazon seems to be perfectly fine.

[cherriesanglea]

hmmmm i dont know then maybe shes just a bit tired! have you moved anything around the house? or changed anything around? this will make them not sleep act weird ect i really dont know just throwing things out!

[Lori~D]

Sound like she may be ill and the vet is the only advise that is the best advise. Eating and pooping is a good sign as you said. If your not going to an E vet then you will just have to take your chances until you get to the vet. Dont turn the heat up too much as drastic changes can be worse but I would separate her into another room if possible to prevent everyone from getting sick and remember.... when birds show they are sick they are "REALLY sick" because as prey animals they must hide illness or they are a target for predators, even though our pet birds are raised in captivity the instinctual behavior is lodged in them. If one of my birds is "acting" unusually ill - its time to go to the vet - NOW. Most injuries I can handle but strange illness is a vet issue. Hope this helps! keep us updated and prayers your way!

[Winged_Victory]

Keep and eye on your bird and keep it warm. The optimum temperature would be between 85-87 degrees if your bird is ill. Keep the bird hydrated, you may want to offer Gatorade or Pedealyte mixed 50/50 with water for an energy boost. It is good to see your bird is eating and drinking OK, grooming, etc, these are all good signs.

An avian vet is important as they can do blood work, fecal and gram, and a physical assessment of the bird during the exam. We will help you with emergency and supportive care until you can contact your avian vet.

Please keep us posted.

Gary

[Monica]

What is the amazons current diet?

Sometimes a diet change can put a birds body through stress because they are not used to so much good stuff that their organs just fail... similar to changing a dogs diet from one brand to another, you want to do so gradually... or else there could be adverse effects.

If this zon hasn't been to an avian vet before, then I'd highly recommend a full blood panel to see if there are any nutritional deficiencies (which I'm guessing there may be) as well as any other problems...

[sarabean]

Well, I took her into the rescue I got her from and they think she is just nesting. I have an appointment with an avian vet for Wednesday. I am scared to death - can't tell if I am being over-protective, or what!

Regarding the above post, her diet has not changed.

She's stopped sitting funny, but has been sleeping more than usual. The interesting thing is that she's perched on one foot, sleeping. Outwardly, between eating/pooping/perching/grooming, she seems fine. Just not sure about the sleeping now.

Has anyone had a bird try to nest? The rescue thought maybe she was um, getting a little friendly with the cage and that's why she was sitting like that.

Any advice prior to Wednesday would be greatly appreciated.

[Addicted to Tequila]

Sleeping on one foot is normal... more-so than sleeping on both (or upside down as my wacky conures do! LOL)

[sarabean]

I know - that's what I mean, she's sleeping on one foot, eating and pooping, which are all good signs. It's just that she's sleeping a lot, so I am not sure if she's nesting or sick or if I am just overreacting!