Sick birdie need help

[Marenka]

I recently found my middle-aged pet cockatiel, with wings spread and head cocked to the side, on the bottom of her cage. She appeared extremely disoriented and was limp.
I thought she was near death when I removed her from the cage; however, she returned to normal about 30 minutes later.
That was four days ago.
I have her in another cage with new dishes, toys and perches. I've sanitized the other cage and replaced her dishes and toys, but I'm reluctant to return her there.
She appears to be a bit underweight, and she's producing an overabundance of foul-smelling, mostly liquid droppings.
I took her to the vet, but he didn't know what to do and didn't offer any helpful suggestions. There's not an avian specialist in the area.
Suggestions anyone?
[Thank you in advance.]

[Lady Kakata]

TAKE HER TO ANOTHER VET RIGHT NOW. There has to be more than one vet in your area that might be able to help you with her, if not an aviculturalist. If you can't get to a vet, you really do need to make a phone call to the closest avian vet and ask them for advice over the phone

This is serious, I personally don't know the cause but that is NOT normal 'tiel behaviour. If you really, really, REALLY can't get an avian vet, even by the phone (and I stress you must make an effort to get her to one) then contact your local 'tiel breeder for advice. A 'tiel breeder MUST have access to a vet that is experianced in cockatiels, if not a certified avian vet

[christie99]

Did the vet do a fecal swab? That is the best way to do a quick diagnosis on what the bird needs to treat it. We cannot diagnose on the internet, only help you find a vet in your area.

While there may not be an Avian Certified vet, there may be ones that work with birds. Where are you located?

[christie99]

Also, DO NOT give any medications not perscribed by a vet. Most OTC meds are weak and do not work. They only mask the symptoms and create antibiotic resistant bacteria.

[LovelySydney]

This bird needs to go to the vet immediately. As others said, do not self administer medication that may or may not work - this could do worse damage and make your bird sicker than he/she already is. Please get your little one to the vet, the things you are describing are not normal behavior of a healthy bird.


To find an avian vet in your area do a google search or if you give us your location Im sure someone on the board could help you out. Please keep us posted.

[kbordeau]

Has she ever had eggs? Can you check her to make sure she isnt egg bound? If she is egg bound a warm moist place to have it would make her more comfortable. What has she eaten lately? Can you measure her water intake? Has she gotten into somthing outside the cage while she had playtime? Has she had any conact with another bird or animal?

[Milletman]

Originally Posted by kbordeau

Has she ever had eggs? Can you check her to make sure she isnt egg bound? If she is egg bound a warm moist place to have it would make her more comfortable. What has she eaten lately? Can you measure her water intake? Has she gotten into somthing outside the cage while she had playtime? Has she had any conact with another bird or animal?

I agree it could be egg binding. I had a bird about ten years ago with similar symptoms (not a cockatiel though) and raced her to a generic animal hospital close to home. They did an x-ray and found the bound egg. After treatment, she recovered quickly and started eating again. Good luck and please try another vet. If their is no AV in your area, look for one who specializes in exotic animals since they seem to be better with smaller pets like a cockatiel.

[Marenka]

The vet I took her to passes for an avian/exotic species specialist in the area. He did nothing other than look at her, feel her body for an egg (which he said didn't exist) and hold a steth to her chest, for which I was charged $45. [I would never give an animal meds not prescribed by a vet and never indicated I had done that.] I took her to another vet, who refused to look at her and referred me back to the first vet. The vets here don't do anything more than trim beaks and feathers. I called two universities, but the staff focuses on poultry (chicken, turkeys).

I live in southwestern Missouri on the Arkansas border, and I've had trouble finding working links/email addys to 'tiel breeders that work. Can anyone recommend one?

Thank you again.

[birdiemommy]

Maybe you could at least call and find out what tests they woudl recommend

Julie Burge, DVM
Clinic Name: Burge Bird Services
Address: 13833 S 71 Hwy
City/State: Grandview, MO 64030
Map: Google Map
P: (816) 356-4700
F: (816) 763-0515
Email: BurgeBirdServ@kc.rr.com

Brock William Exline, DVM
Clinic Name: Hecker Animal Clinic
Address: 7240 Wornall Rd
City/State: Kansas City, MO 64114
Map: Google Map
P: 816-333-4330
F: 816-333-7043
Email: hacclk@sprintmail.com

David J. Kersting, DVM
Clinic Name: Bird Medicine and Surgery
Address: 132 Four Seasons Shopping Ctr.
City/State: St. Louis, MO 63017
Map: Google Map
P: 314-469-6661
F: 314-469-9019
Email: birdmedicineandsurgery@charterinternet.c

Cynthia Sprigg, DVM
Clinic Name:
Address: 605 N. Kings Highway
City/State: Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Map: Google Map
P: 314 334-0070
F:
Email: cynthias@upatsix.com

[kbordeau]

At the very least put her somewhere warm. With water to get in & food. I put a little veg. oil in the water for my finches, & on the vent. I also give all my birds boiled eggs/crushed with the shell, along with rice & beans. Its hard to watch & do nothing, but this does help.