Can an unweaned 13 week old Recover from Aspirating?

[Xray Susie]

My baby Orange Wing is still at the breeders. He/she is a slow weaner, now on 2 feedings a day. He's not very interested in eating his pellets.

The breeder called me today to let let me know that the baby aspirated during a feeding. He was immediately taken to a certified Avian vet, and was treated and released. He's on antibiotics and antifungal meds. They expect him to be ok.

My question is, after a baby aspirates, is it similar to humans, who when they have pneumonia, have permanent scars on their lungs?

Is there any permanent damage to him or should I anticipate any health problems in the future because of this?

He (breeder) also said the vet said the baby should be weaned by now and they need to get more firm in holding back feeding. Any comments on this?

Thanks,

[Winged_Victory]

Aspiration is never good but if caught early enough there is a good chance he will recover. I sure would not force wean the bird when he has possible pneumonia, would you! I feel it would be better to keep hand feeding the bird as you can put medication in the formula for a couple of weeks. Do so will give him a chance to get over the aspiration.

gary

[chapala]

I'm not a breeder, but it doesn't sound right to me that someone should hold back hand-feeding to hurry weaning along when the chick has aspirated and is being medicated.

[usamma]

Aspirating (in humans) does not always lead to illness and permanent scarring. It's certainly not a good thing to have happen, but it doesn't necessarily mean that in the long run things will be too bad.

[expressmailtome]

I do not feel that any bird should be force weaned let alone one who is ill. I have always read that abundance weaning is best for the bird.

Matt

[Lori~D]

I would never "hold Back a feeding" on a baby no matter how old. Any babies I have fed will "let me know" when to drop a feeding by showing no or very little interest in one of them. Then and ONly then do I drop one in the middle. I dont believe in force weaning.

[expressmailtome]

It seems a bit weird to me that the vet actually recommended the force weaning.

Matt

[magdalena]

That is not ok, 13 weeks is not that old!

[Rahni]

I agree entirely with ExpressMail and Lori D, the bird will let you know when it is time to wean, not the other way round, and this will lead to a stronger and more confident, independent bird. Besides that, for some species the weaning age in the wild has never even been studied or recorded. Adult birds can feed younger ones occasionally long after they are able to eat for themselves.

[Xray Susie]

I received this email yesterday from my breeder:

"Everything is great and your baby is fine. He is now weaned. Per the vet, she wanted him weaned immediately and we did. Baby is fine and we will be able to send him home once he completes his course of antibiotics and anti-fungals. 11 Day and counting. Baby is gaining weight now !!!!"

I did email him back and asked him about the vet's decision to wean cold turkey. I'll let you know his response.

But as long as he's gaining weight, he should be ok, right? And should I take him to a different avain vet for his physical when I get him? I was going to use the one they recommended to me. She's a little closer. There are only 2 near me. One in another state, an hour away, and another in my state, but 90 min. away.

And on another note, we're still waiting for DNA to know the sex.