Any parrot owners?

couture2387

couture2387

Member
Jan 5, 2008
1,428
4
#1
About 6 years ago I rescued a Parrotlet that I found in a bush. She's been really healthy throughout the years but over the past 2-3 days I've noticed that she hasn't been eating as much as she normally does. I thought she was just being picky (sometimes she refuses to eat her food and just throws it out for fun) but now I noticed that her breathing is faster than normal. She's still drinking water and eating (just not as much). She's also moving around her cage, but not as much as she usually does. I googled her symptoms and I keep seeing stuff on respiratory infections. I called an avian vet and they gave me an appointment for tomorrow morning. For now, just in case, I bought some powder called Ornacycline that is suppossed to treat respiratory infections. I put it in her water before work but from what I saw she refuses to drink it, I guess because she knows it's not regular water. Does anyone have experiences with Ornacycline or respiratory infections? I'd really appreciate any info, I've never had a bird get sick so I'm at a loss. TIA!
 
#2
I have never owned a parrot but my grandma owned a Conure, he is such a beautiful bird. He wasn't very sweet because he wasn't hand raised but he liked her a lot and knew a few words. She ended up giving him to a woman who loves birds and could give him more attention, I think he's much happier now.

I hope your bird is ok.:flowers:
 
#3
I've had a jenday conure for 3 years. Birds are very reluctant to let anyone know they are ill, so it's good you caught this! Mine has never had a res. infection but she has been very ill before. I hope your bird is feeling better quickly!

I'm sure you know this, but bird's res. systems are very sensitive. Even candles, teflon pans, etc can be very dangerous.
 
#4
My pans are All-Clad stainless steel. I rarely use their non-stick ones because I heard they give off fumes that are dangerous to birds. The only scented thing that could have affected her is maybe a reed diffuser that's in the large room where she is. Hopefully they'll be able to put her on some meds tomorrow so she can start feeling better.
 
#5
Birds get respiratory infections relatively easily, as they breathe so rapidly. I had a parakeet die of pneumonia a few years ago, she had thrown up a few times before I got to take her to the vet. If you catch it early they can treat it pretty easily.

I have a Nanday Conure and a cockatiel now. Both have been very healthy. We've had the Conure since 2001, only had one problem, a lump on one foot that went away with antibiotics administered orally (that was FUN). No problems with the cockatiel, who I believe we've had three years now.

I've had birds all my life, and have always used non-stick cookware. Never had a problem. It will become dangerous if heated over 500 degrees, normal cooking will not create fumes. Regular smoke is more pervasive and dangerous. Burning anything - including candles - near birds is not recommended.
 
#7
pidgeon92 said:
Birds get respiratory infections relatively easily, as they breathe so rapidly. I had a parakeet die of pneumonia a few years ago, she had thrown up a few times before I got to take her to the vet. If you catch it early they can treat it pretty easily.
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Thats good to know, thanks. I have two parakeets and the room they are in gets cold at night in the winter even though we put a cover on them. So next year i'll probably move them into another room.
 
#9
couture2387 said:
Thank you! I've been worried sick. I'm somewhat of a hypochondriac with my pets. The slightest thing has me running to the vet lol.
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I worry about mine all the time too. The birds are pretty easy, but the dogs are always getting into something. Puffy ears, vomiting... nothing fatal, but always expensive.

Hope your birdy is better soon. :flowers:
 
#10
I had two cockatoos, bare-eyed and umbrella. Never had any problems except for feather plucking, not bad though. They are prone to colds/respratory problems...no drafts. I loved them, such cute personalities, surprisingly loving and social. I traveled alot so they eventually went to live with their babysitter. Good luck...I'd be UPSET too. Keep us posted.
 
#11
Well I took Tweety to the specialist on Saturday and they ran some tests. Since she's so tiny they had to give her oxygen during that time and warned me she could go into cardiac arrest at any moment because they get stressed so easily. They found she has a bit of a respiratory infection and a problem with her liver. They can't do a biopsy because she's too weak so they sent her home with 2 meds and told me she has an 80% chance of making it. She has improved a bit but is still breathing quickly. Hopefully in a couple of days she'll be all better. Thank you all for your advice and input!
 
#13
Awww.... don't listen to that rotten estimate. Birds are tough, Tweety is going to make it through just fine. Be patient when giving her her medications, they don't seem to be too thrilled about it.

When my Kiwi had the lump on her foot, they told me it was kidney related, that all conures get it. Then they did the x-ray, and nothing was there. I hope Tweety is back to shrieking soon.
 
#14
Thanks! She's actually done really well with the meds. I grab her with a lil hand towel and she opens her mouth so I can give her the meds. It's only a drop for each so it's not too bad. She's still breathing quickly but I think its because the liver still needs to go down to its normal size, so until that happens it's pressing against her lungs.
 
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