Health took turns for the worse

[noribirds]

On the way to the vet. My female IRN’s health is took turns for the worse and I’m so worried that I don’t know what to do anymore. She was doing fine until yesterday but this morning I woke up to mucous discharging from her nose, her eyes were sealed and she was shivering. Literally.

Me and my sister took her out and cleaned her nose and I could literally feel her shivering in my hands. Her eyes opened up after I sprayed a bit of water and I put her back in the cage for a bit. Called up my vet and told him I’m bringing her in and he said okay. Came back to see that poo was sticking to her vent (this has never happened before). She’s lost some feathers around her right eye because of conjunctivitis and her feathers keep coming out too. She’s sneezing a lot too.

I’m on the way to the vet right now and so stressed out that I want to cry. I can’t lose her, I don’t want to and I’m doing everything I can but she’s still not getting better. I just want her to be okay.

Please please please keep her in your thoughts.

 

[noodles123]

I will be thinking of you today! You are doing a good job-- so hang in there...

 

[Laurasea]

I’m so sorry and wish yiu bith strength.

Did they test her or treat her for Psittacosis? Doxycycline is the best antibiotics for that disease. If that’s what she has...

In my option it’s s better first choice antibiotics than baytril , and bsytril won’t kill the bacteria that causes Psittacosis... which is a common infection and birds can have it fir years then stress or other issues allow them to get overwhelmed by the bacteria...

Fir sure I’m. It saying that’s what’s going on. Maybe you already have a diagnosis

I wish your bird a recovery

 

[wrench13]

Praying for the best results for your poor IRN. Be strong for her!

 

[noribirds]

I’m so sorry and wish yiu bith strength.

Did they test her or treat her for Psittacosis? Doxycycline is the best antibiotics for that disease. If that’s what she has...

In my option it’s s better first choice antibiotics than baytril , and bsytril won’t kill the bacteria that causes Psittacosis... which is a common infection and birds can have it fir years then stress or other issues allow them to get overwhelmed by the bacteria...

Fir sure I’m. It saying that’s what’s going on. Maybe you already have a diagnosis

I wish your bird a recovery

They nebulised her with doxycycline today and kept her under observation for 2 hours. Came back home with her and she’s more or less the same, just slightly better. Doc told me to do steam inhalation for her tonight with a bronchodilator and bring her back tomorrow morning. He said that if she doesn’t improve, he’ll give an injection tomorrow.

 

[Scott]

Sending healing thoughts for your IRN. Hopefully the nebulizing treatment helps her conjunctivitis. Are they treating her for presumed psittacosis?

 

[noribirds]

Sending healing thoughts for your IRN. Hopefully the nebulizing treatment helps her conjunctivitis. Are they treating her for presumed psittacosis?

Yes, they’re treating her for psittacosis. I have to back again tomorrow and I just hope she gets better....That’s all I want.

 

[Laurasea]

Psittacosis can make them very sick, but with treatment . And it’s a long treatment nearly all recover!!! They will need to treat eyes to save vision and prevent scars on corneas, if she has eye involvement.

Warmth helps sick birds a lot. And keeping them stress free as possible during recovery .

Psittacosis is caused by a bacteria, so to prevent reinfection , clean clean clean, extra extra cleans until she has finished all meds . Yiu didn’t cause her to get sick , not saying things are spotless either. Just that when they are sick they shed a lot of the bacteria and reinfected is common, that’s why extra cleaning.

If she will eat cooked warm sweet potatoes that has vitamin A they helps with immunity , or cooked carrots, yiu want lots of healthy food to help support her, and keep her warm.

The sweeter heater
SWEETER HEATER Infrared Heater for Chicks & Pets, Overhead 11x16, 50 Watt https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CYTU95K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_coTpFbYST0QTX

( I don’t use it overhead, I just hang vertically on the outside of the cage, and don’t cover the cage or gets to hit)!

I have a radiant heat panel I got on amazon called the sweeter heater , it’s bird safe I hang it outside the cage and low in one corner cuz puts out a lot of radiant heat and they don’t sell them small enough for out pet bird cages any more, . I like having the radiant heat panel on hand for any sick birds, fir drafty cold days

I know your girl is pretty sick, with good care like you are doing and veterinary care and meds, she really has great chance of recovery

 

[noribirds]

The vet nebulised her again today with doxycycline and some other meds. He checked her droppings and said they were normal. She had a lot of nasal and eye discharge yesterday (esp after steam inhalation last night) and I cleaned up her nose and eyes today. Eat a bit but her appetite seems to have decreased a little. She’s still underweight (95g) and I’m still thinking what to do to help her gain some weight. The vet asked me to bring her in everyday until her condition stabilises and I will continue doing so. So will go back tomorrow morning again (The clinic is 15 minutes from my home). Right now she’s getting her bronchodilator in steam inhalation and she’s busy playing with paper (tearing it apart). Her other meds currently include an antibiotic, an immunity medicine and a medicine for her breathing.

I am not sure how to add pictures on this website so I didn’t add any upto now...

 

[noribirds]

Psittacosis can make them very sick, but with treatment . And it’s a long treatment nearly all recover!!! They will need to treat eyes to save vision and prevent scars on corneas, if she has eye involvement.

Warmth helps sick birds a lot. And keeping them stress free as possible during recovery .

Psittacosis is caused by a bacteria, so to prevent reinfection , clean clean clean, extra extra cleans until she has finished all meds . Yiu didn’t cause her to get sick , not saying things are spotless either. Just that when they are sick they shed a lot of the bacteria and reinfected is common, that’s why extra cleaning.

If she will eat cooked warm sweet potatoes that has vitamin A they helps with immunity , or cooked carrots, yiu want lots of healthy food to help support her, and keep her warm.

The sweeter heater
SWEETER HEATER Infrared Heater for Chicks & Pets, Overhead 11x16, 50 Watt https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CYTU95K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_coTpFbYST0QTX

( I don’t use it overhead, I just hang vertically on the outside of the cage, and don’t cover the cage or gets to hit)!

I have a radiant heat panel I got on amazon called the sweeter heater , it’s bird safe I hang it outside the cage and low in one corner cuz puts out a lot of radiant heat and they don’t sell them small enough for out pet bird cages any more, . I like having the radiant heat panel on hand for any sick birds, fir drafty cold days

I know your girl is pretty sick, with good care like you are doing and veterinary care and meds, she really has great chance of recovery

Thank you all your advice I’m really grateful towards this forum because of all the help and advice. I’ve already sealed all the windows where the cages are and the veranda door as well so that it doesn’t get cold inside. I’ll check the heater out too.

 

[noribirds]

One more I wanted to ask, you know how birds readjust their crop? She seems to doing that, except it’s not that? I don’t know how to explain it, but it looks like her moving her tongue up and down her beak and there is no noise. She usually yawns after that. Anyone know what she is doing?

 

[Scott]

Assuming the diagnosis is correct, the vet appears to be aggressively treating for psittacosis. Course can be very long, and we know you are doing your absolute best to support her. Is the weight issue lack of appetite or failure to properly digest a good intake? Might try a quality very low salt/sugar baby food or perhaps baby bird formula?

The movement you describe seems to be crop adjusting. Are you able to upload a video? (from YouTube is best)

Several ways to upload pics. Easiest is direct link from free hosting site such as Imgur: http://www.parrotforums.com/technical-support/6287-how-post-pictures-6.html#post718293
You can also upload images directly to a forum album, then move to a post: http://www.parrotforums.com/technical-support/6287-how-post-pictures.html
(note, the above two links are different despite identical words!)

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I applaud you for your diligence and superb caring of your IRN..you are my hero. I pray for for your girl to make a full and swift recovery.



jim

 

[noribirds]

Assuming the diagnosis is correct, the vet appears to be aggressively treating for psittacosis. Course can be very long, and we know you are doing your absolute best to support her. Is the weight issue lack of appetite or failure to properly digest a good intake? Might try a quality very low salt/sugar baby food or perhaps baby bird formula?

The movement you describe seems to be crop adjusting. Are you able to upload a video? (from YouTube is best)

Several ways to upload pics. Easiest is direct link from free hosting site such as Imgur: http://www.parrotforums.com/technical-support/6287-how-post-pictures-6.html#post718293
You can also upload images directly to a forum album, then move to a post: http://www.parrotforums.com/technical-support/6287-how-post-pictures.html
(note, the above two links are different despite identical words!)

Yes, they’re treating her for psittacosis! I don’t think she has the lack of appetite as she always eats what I feed her (I just put her food in her bowl and she immediately goes to her eating station and starts eating). If her appetite decreases, I might try baby formula though I’m not sure on how I’ll give it to her.

She hasn’t done it today so I wasn’t able to record anything but I’ll upload a video soon if I can film it!

 

[noribirds]

I applaud you for your diligence and superb caring of your IRN..you are my hero. I pray for for your girl to make a full and swift recovery.



jim

It’s my responsibility to take care of her When I took in my IRNs, I took them with the intention to provide them a good home and comfort. My IRNs are not really on the tame side, since they’ve both been bonded from the beginning (my male and female) so it’s always been challenging working with them. Thankfully, my female is more outgoing than my male and she lets us pick her up and touch her. My male on the other hand.....show him your fingers and he’ll start screaming.

 

[noribirds]

I don’t think I ever mentioned the names of any of my birds so.....I have a pair of ringnecks named Kulfi and Barfi, Kulfi being the female one who is currently sick. I also have a cockatiel and his name is Ahmad.

Today update:

She’s seems to be doing a little better but still has nasal and eye discharge. No closed eyes today. Tail bobbing and ruffled feathers continue. Went back to the vet today and he checked her droppings again and they nebuslised her. She’s still taking her meds and right now she’s getting her steam inhalation with a bronchodilator. Usually after this, I keep her in the carrier for a bit because she always gets more nasal discharge after steam. So I’ll clean her nose and then put her to bed after this.

She’s still underweight and right now she has no issues with appetite, so I’d appreciate any advice on what foods would be beneficial for her right now.

 

[Laurasea]

Yiu want quality as well as trying to increase calories. Sick birds do burn a lot of calories.
Yiu could make some while grain pasta , abs mix it with cooked mashed sweet potatoes , and some cooked veggies, she should like it pasta had a bunch of calories but you need the foods like sweet potatoes that have vitamin A which really helps respiratory immunity and eye health.
Or you can use some fresh cooked rice with veggies, but only serve fresh , rice grows bad stuff fast even in the fridge, so yiu can eat the left overs but nit her,
Or quinoa with veggies,
Or a little cooked oatmeal with berries or fruit like papaya, blue berries, fresh cherries ( remove the out)
Make home made burd muffins grind up and add pellets, nuts , a few seeds, broccoli, shredded carrot and cooked sweet potatoes, or shred in some peppers ( they are a good source of vitamin A too
Or scrambled eggs with added veggies
You really want nutritious dense foods, if you have pellets I grind them up and add to all of the above foods

I would give her a little fresh yogurt with no artificial sweeteners too since she is on antibiotics

 

[noribirds]

Sorry I haven’t been able to update: I’ve been crazy busy. Vet visits are still going on and on yesterday’s visit Doc checked her and her nasal discharge had reduced. Open mouthed breathing and tail bobbing still going on. She’s taking her meds. Today, however I noticed something unusual. Not sure if I’m just being paranoid.

is her crop inflammed? Or I’m just being paranoid? I’m going to ask my vet when I go back today but I still want everyone’s opinions.

https://i.imgur.com/kgEw45L.mp4

The ringnecks were together for a bit today and I was able to take this video. She always dozes off in that position and I think it’s because she has difficulty breathing?

On another note, the nasolacrimal discharge has gone down by 90% so that’s a good thing.


EDIT: The vet wasn’t in today cause he’s feeling under the weather. The nurses gave her the usual nebulisation. At this point everyone at the clinic knows Kulfi! I go in and someone would go “Kulfi is here!” I’ll ask the vet about my concerns tomorrow. I noticed she has a bit of more discharge after the nebulisation.

 

[wrench13]

Your doing so well by Kulfi, I am proud of you for taking your parrontship so seriously. I hope she continues to improve.

 

[Scott]

One more I wanted to ask, you know how birds readjust their crop? She seems to doing that, except it’s not that? I don’t know how to explain it, but it looks like her moving her tongue up and down her beak and there is no noise. She usually yawns after that. Anyone know what she is doing?

Forgot to address your crop question! What you describe may be adjusting, is it entirely different behavior from Barfi? If it is, might be result of her difficulty breathing.

Overall, Kulfi seems to be slowly improving. From what I've read about psittacosis, recovery is fairly slow. Not sure what to make of the bulging area in video. Can you feel it by very gently pressing, as opposed to feather extension? Something to ask the vet about during next visit.

Adding to Laura's food suggestions, might experiment with "Birdy Bread." Ingredients can be varied to match availability: http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/65841-poppy-s-jolly-jungle-bread.html