Emergency Help!!! My baby is sick.

[Snoffie]

My parrotlet is 4months old. He has been pretty healthy until now. Last Friday I noticed after he ate his neck (probably his crop) began shaking then he would throw his head from side to side. I was told he probably got something hung in there and after a few times he did stop. But the past few days he just hasn't been himself. He is usually very active, but doesn't seem to want to do anything but sleep. His feet and beak are always cold and his eyes are droopy. I took him to the vet yesterday. They said he was to small to do anything, gave me some antibiotics for a bacteria infection (she admitted she was guessing) and said "Most tropical birds are hard to diagnose. Some make it with this medicine, but some do not." She also said he is extremely thin (4 grams) but his heart and lungs sound good. This surprised me because he does eat all the time. However, he has had some diarrhea and possibly gas(?). Now his beak is extremely white and his feet are a soft purple. I don't know what to do. I live in the middle of nowhere and had to drive 40 minutes just to see this vet. There are no others close by that treat birds. Also, he acts like his beak itches, picks at his feet and scratches a lot. I'm sure he doesn't have mites.
I know this is long and I apologize. Like everyone else here, I love my baby bird! Any help would so be appreciated!

[tabooh]

By what I can understand is that you have done all that you possibly can for now. Have you started any med's for your baby from the vet?

[Greycloud]

Make sure you start meds. Cover half the cage with a towel and put a light on him for heat. When birds are sick and thin they cannot heat their own bodies. Was this an avian vet? Also trust me 40mins to drive to an avian vet is nothing. We do what we gotta do. I hope your baby fights this illness.

[Snoffie]

He has started the meds. He only takes them once per day. The vet was certified to treat birds. I didn't mean to sound complaining about the drive, I had searched and made plenty of calls to find this vet.
I have been trying to keep him warm. He keeps a baby blanket over the back of his cage and I have kept a light on him.

[Valo's Moirana]

do you have any heaters? that might help too? some people use ceramic heating lamps to keep a sick bird warm... make sure he also gets some liquid. if he doesn't drink by himself, you might want to offer some water with a syringe

i hope your baby gets better soon

[Flappuccino]

I understand you said that the vet is avian certified... but I would not go back to that one and do everything you can to see a REAL avian vet.

Quote: "They said he was to small to do anything, gave me some antibiotics for a bacteria infection (she admitted she was guessing) and said "Most tropical birds are hard to diagnose. Some make it with this medicine, but some do not."

I'm fairly certain my avian vet wouldn't say something like this. She is incredible and would have done tests.

The Association of Avian Veterinarians | Association

OR

http://www.avianweb.com/recommendedvets.htm

might help you find a vet. Good luck!

[LovelySydney]

Hope your little one gets better soon! I would have said that the neck thing you saw sounds like wigglenecking, which is something parrotlets DO do, but if she is acting sick now, than maybe that wasnt it. Definitely try to find an avian vet - keep us posted!!

[Lisa B]

discoloration of the feet and beak may indicate lack of oxygen to extremities.
Scratching at the beak can also mean yeast. A growth of yeast could depending on how much, interfear with air flow.

If that vet thought there was nothing they can do, i suggest another one.
too young is not an excuse. not at 4 months. best wishes to you both

[Shandra]

They should have done a fecal to see if it is in fact bacterial, if it is what antibiotic would be most effective. WHat antibiotic did they give you? Baytril is a good allaround antibacterial. I have a heating pad turned on Hi in the corner of Eyva's cage on the outside and a peice of cloth hanging in that corner to make her a little hidey hut, shen she gets chilled or is ready to sleep she goes over there. How is your baby eating and drinking? You m ight want to get some pedialyte in him is he doesnt seem to be drinking.
Good luck