Sick Bird? Please Give Advice!

[Stasia]

Wow Joel, I can't say how nice that is of you to spend your own time looking through a book trying to help, thanks very much on behalf of us and Pedro.

I can't find anything on the internet either that looks quite like that. We think now it is definitely either a bruise or a result of over grinding. My husband seems sure it is overgrinding but I don't see why Pedro wold do that. Although I did notice his cuttlebone and mineral block were definitely being highly used today, lots of wear on them since yesterday. I am comfortable with going through the night now I think (he's been very energetic and active since getting so much of our attention) but will call the vet in the morning.

I do have a lighting system, but since I am gone during the day and don't want to put it on him at night, he really only gets it on the weekend. i will be trying to put it on in the early morning and late afternoon from now on. He has a heating lamo too but i don't know if I should leave it on all night tonight, could he get too warm? I believe his diet is healthy but I am going to be making sure now. He eats a mix of pellets and seed and I try to get hime to eat fresh foods but he's still working on it. Thanks so much again for your help, I very much appreciate it and I will keep you updated. At least we all feel calmer now that he doesn't seem ill per say.

Stasia

[SnowWa]

When my bird gets his beak dirty with food, etc.....he hates it and works hard to wipe whatever is on it off. Occasionally, I get a damp cloth and wipe his beak for him to help him out. (Believe it or not, I have even washed his face.) He likes that - saves him time and he can go about more important things like playing.

Have you tried washing his beak (with just a damp cloth or something)... maybe something is bothering him that you can't see.

Sounds like he's actually doing pretty well. Wouldn't it be nice if everything is back to normal in the morning and you don't have to make a trip to the vet after all.

Good luck!

[The Outlaw]

Stasia:

Just wondering how your bird is today. I didn't even see your thread until this morning. It did sound to me like a beak bruise, too, but I'm not certain either. Joel and I have the same books, so if he didn't find anything, then I won't even bother. He's pretty darn smart.

[Stasia]

Thanks for the concerns :)

Pedro seems ok this morning, but still has this beak problem. If I was sure it was a bruise I would wait to see what comes of it, but we are taking him to the vet this afternoon just to be sure. The way he keeps rubbing his beak makes me nervous something could be bothering him near his nostrils so I figure we should be on the safe side. I'll be sure to post the end result. Thanks everyone!!

Stasia

[Stasia]

Here's the update on our little guy....

We took hiim to the vet this morning and it turns out he has a bacterial infection ): It is in his mouth which is why his beak looked that way and why he was trying to rub it off. The vet said he is actually in very good shape though- being perfectly healthy otherwise. He was given to medications to take twice a day and we need to keep him at 85 degrees (good advice Joel) for the next 7 days and change his water frequently, but he should be absolutely fine afterwards. Phew!! The vet suspects that it was caused when I moved his cage to another spot in the room that was much closer to one of air vents. We just recently turned the heat on for the first time this season and he said there was prbably some yucky stuff floating around near Pedro's cage because of it. I feel awful, but now I know forever! Luckily it looks like everything wil heal up fine. Thanks again for all the advice and concern!! :)

Stasia

[TooLover]

Thank goodness.
Thanks for keeping us updated - hugs to you and yours!

[Alika]

Good! I'm glad it's something easily remedied, and I'm glad you didn't take a chance with him and went straight to the vet.

Hope he gets to feeling better soon... and I'm sure he will with plenty of meds, rest, and TLC.

[Joel]

Great news Stasia.......I'm glad to hear the vet solved the problem......Would you mind stating the name of the antibiotic/meds and the dose prescribed? Thanks......

[Monica]

You might try getting some bottled water for your little p-let as well, just to be on the safe side! That way, with constant cleaning, it'll help bactera and other stuff from tap water being a possible problem with little Pedro. You could also try buying some GSE and putting a couple drops in his drinking water to keep the bacteria down, and it's also good for his body! You can get GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract) from a healthfood store, and it lasts a long time, especially with one little bird, and it can be used for so many things, i.e. cleaning the cage, fresh foods, etc!

[Stasia]

Sure Joel-

The medicines are Nystatin Oral Suspension .08 cc twice a day and Baytril 100 inj 100 mg/ml .05 cc twice a day.

Thanks for that suggestion Monica! I've never heard of that and I'm so much more comfortable using all natural things with the birds so that sounds great. I do use filtered water also on both of the birds, I just figure that if I don't like the tap water, they probably don't either! haha :)

Also as a p.s., his beak was bruised also from rubbing it so much because he was trying to get this infection off, or so he thought. So that was part of what you saw in the picture as well I'm sure. Thanks again all!

Stasia