Advice for my Parolette

[Laura145k]

Hello, I'm new to this board and I hate introducing myself this way but I'm pretty sure my little guy, Chelios, is dying. I've had him for 9 years and over the weekend he has started sleeping a lot more and breathing faster. He is having a hard time moving around his cage. When I talk to him he will chirp back a little but not like he used to.
This is my first parolette and I don't know if this is a sign of the end. I guess the advice I'm looking for is if that anyone has been through this... how long will it last? It is very hard seeing him like this.

[chapala]

You should take your bird to an avian vet immediately. Obviously something is wrong and it may be treatable. He could have an infection for example that could be treated with antibiotics. To sit there and do nothing while your bird suffers is not very admirable.

Parrotlets can live quite a few more years than 9, so if you care about your bird, please take him to a vet.

[Winged_Victory]

Hi,

What you are seeing are signs of illness, your bird needs to be seen by an avian vet! In the mean time keep your bird warm 85-87 degrees and hydrated. When a bird is sick they need to be kept warm so they use there energy to fight infection rather than use them to keep warm. The bird needs hydration, you can mix children's plain pedialyte with water 50/50. There is a good chance your bird is going to need an antibiotic which the vet can prescribe.

Please do not waste any time and get your bird seen by an avian vet.

gary

[jenseits]

I agree with the posters above.

Take him to your avian vet NOW. Birds hide illness very well, so by the time you notice obvious signs of illness, they can be quite sick (and in pain). At 9 years old, a parrotlet is not that old, so this is not simply a symptom of aging. Do not wait. Go to your avian vet immediately. This could be treatable, but you won't know until your vet sees him. None of us on this board are medical professionals (and even if we were, we wouldn't be able to diagnose him without seeing him).

[Laura145k]

Thank you for the advice I will take him to the vet today.

[jenseits]

Originally Posted by Laura145k

Thank you for the advice I will take him to the vet today.

Glad to hear it! Please, if at all possible, go to an avian vet. Birds are not similar dogs or cats; a regular vet will probably not know enough about birds to know what to look for.

And post back and let us know what the diagnosis is and how the little one is doing.

Wishing you the best of luck!

[LovelySydney]

Yes do it ASAP. When my lovebird Gus started throwing up I immediately took him to the vet. Unfortunately they could not do anything and my little guy died less than 24 hours later along with his mate. Its very important that as soon as you see signs of illness you get them in there, as they can mask it so well. Please keep us posted.

[ROYJOY]

lifespan can be shortened greatly by a poor diet. he could very well die from old age at 9, if he ate seeds his whole life, or too much fat. what does he eat?

[becca623]

Just wondering how your bird is......

[Eliza]

Laura, how is Chelios doing? Update when you can!