how can you tell a bird is sick before its too late?

[macawgirl]

sunny had no symptoms other then low weight.

how can you tell if a macaw is sick?? im freaked out now cuz i coulda lost my baby down the line. what do i look for?

[texbird]

1. weight loss
2. fecal observations
3. appetite
4. energy level
5. sometimes, not always, ruffled feathers

[jmfleish]

I think over time you just get to know your bird and subtle signs tend to really stick out for you. My D2 Reggie has been with me for 5 years now and when he started plucking his feathers a year ago last April, I knew there was something not quite right with him. I'm not even sure it really started with the feather plucking. I took him to my regular vet who ran all the standard tests and found nothing wrong except possible soft tissue damage on his right leg and then I took him to another vet about a month later and he was supposedly fine then too. It just didn't sit right with me though and I did a lot of research and went back again this last January and asked for specific tests to be run and sure enough, he was diagnosed with zinc toxicsos that the vet was shocked to find. I just knew that Reggie was not quite right. He didn't seem quite like himself, but I had also lived with him for nearly 4 years as well. I think it's important to go with your gut in a lot of circumstances.

[KimM]

I recommend routine vet checks, annual visits, etc. If I have any doubts I make an appointment and have mine checked. Better safe than sorry.

[thejoie]

I noticed immediately when my Hahn's macaw was sick because she wasn't playing. She just sat there... quiet (which is unlike her).... didn't really want to be with me (which is bizarre for her). And I noticed there were less and less poops. She also gave me a nice wet sneeze. I took her to the emergency vet. Turned out she had an upper respiratory infection. Scariest day in my life....
You really do have to know your bird, it was late in the evening and Mia could have just been tired.. but I just KNEW something was wrong.... I almost even want to say go with your gut.

[macawgirl]

ya my gut instinct did say something isnt right, i did feel that. the only sign he really showed was the weight loss and it wasnt major he was at 2lbs. he has now .4 back so he is at 2.4 lbs, so i believe the meds are working.

he acted normal, im just so glad i cuaght it.

Originally Posted by jmfleish

I think over time you just get to know your bird and subtle signs tend to really stick out for you. My D2 Reggie has been with me for 5 years now and when he started plucking his feathers a year ago last April, I knew there was something not quite right with him. I'm not even sure it really started with the feather plucking. I took him to my regular vet who ran all the standard tests and found nothing wrong except possible soft tissue damage on his right leg and then I took him to another vet about a month later and he was supposedly fine then too. It just didn't sit right with me though and I did a lot of research and went back again this last January and asked for specific tests to be run and sure enough, he was diagnosed with zinc toxicsos that the vet was shocked to find. I just knew that Reggie was not quite right. He didn't seem quite like himself, but I had also lived with him for nearly 4 years as well. I think it's important to go with your gut in a lot of circumstances.

[KimM]

Good for you! Sounds like you have good instincts. Keep using them