Greenwing with foul smelling feces

[Hootie'sMom]

I am manager of the bird dept. at a pet store. I had a guy bring in a 5 yr old Greenwing Macaw a couple of days ago, he has put it on consignment for the store to sell. I haven't dealt with a lot of large Macaws, but I don't think the feces is supposed to smell this bad. It absolutely reeks! When he goes, I have to clean it up right away or you can smell it all through the bird room. Otherwise the bird seems healthy and he said he got regular checkups from a Vet which I know is the best in the area. Is this normal or is it something I should worry about? Taz (the macaw) is in a California cage that has quite a bit of the paint chewed off of it and I had heard about a similar situation where the bird had Zinc poisening.He doesn't appear sick in any other way just this foul smelling feces.

[Winged_Victory]

Hi,

This bird most likely has a Ph imbalance in the digestive tract. It could be caused by a bateria infection. I would try using 3 drops of Braggs apple cider vinegar in his water and see if her improves. If not take him to the vet for a check up. I have a Buffons macaw that has the same problem every so often.

Gary

[The Outlaw]

This bird is sick. It likely has a bacterial infection. I had a similar problem with my recently acquired GW. She had foul smelling feces for the year that I knew her. Her owner occasionally boarded her with me. I pointed out to him that there was something wrong each time he brought her.

Finally, when he ultimately gave her to me, I ran gram stains and saw lots of gram negative stuff. I knew that was a bad thing. Turns out she had a really nasty bacterial infection as a result of being kept in squalid and unsanitary conditions. It took me a month of meds and super disinfecting to get it under control.

Take the bird to the vet.

[Hootie'sMom]

Thanks! I will try the ACV and see if it helps. I am also going to let his owner know and see if he wants to take him for a Vet visit.

[The Outlaw]

Here's the problem with ACV. It will simply mask the symptoms. There has to be a reason that the bacteria is elevated. That's why he needs to see a vet and start on meds. It will only get more and more resistant over time.

[Winged_Victory]

The owner should be willing to take it for a vet visit. What you need to ask for at the vet is a fecal wet mount and gram stain to check for bacteriia. It may have a gram negative bacterial infection. What type of diet is this bird on?

Gary

[Hootie'sMom]

Ok, I will call his owner first thing tomorrow and tell him to schedule a Vet visit. I think he will, but I'm kinda worried about this Macaw because the owner wants me to take him and says if I don't take him he is probably going to give him to a guy he knows. This guy owns a retail store and plans to keep the bird at the store. I'm not sure that is the best thing for this bird,and I don't have room for him. If I did he would already be here!

[Winged_Victory]

Tell him you will split it 50-50 with him on the consignment.,

[Hootie'sMom]

Taz is on a basic Macaw seed and nut diet. I tried giving him some veggies; carrots, corn on the cob, some cucumber slices and he refused all of them. He just wants his seed and nuts.

[COsmarRN]

Sorry, but I have no advice on the foul smelling feces, but it sounds like you already got the answers you were looking for.

Originally Posted by Hootie'sMom

Taz is on a basic Macaw seed and nut diet. I tried giving him some veggies; carrots, corn on the cob, some cucumber slices and he refused all of them. He just wants his seed and nuts.

As for the diet, I know it's not your bird...but while you have him I would keep trying with the fresh fruits and veggies. If he has always been on an all seed and nut diet it may take him some time to start trying new things. Keep introducing new things and see what he does...eventually he will probably find something that he just can't resist!! Good luck on figuring out a home for this guy. =)