Issues with rose breasted cockatoo

[Lpearson]

Hey there, I am new the forum and would really love some advice from anyone that has experience!

I currently own a goffin cockatoo, a blue headed pionus and a rose breasted cockatoo. I am having issues with my rose breasted.

My rose breasted cockatoo,(Felix), is about 4 months old. I took him home when he was 3 months old and only on (barely) one hand feeding a day. (We knew he would wean any day) After having him for several weeks and everything going well, he started losing weight, stopped eating pellets, throwing up and slowing down. So I took him to the vet where they found yeast in his stool sample. All other basic blood work came back normal. They put him on baytril and anti fungal medicine twice a day for 21 days.

He has been doing better and not throwing up and gaining weight slowly after about 4 days on the medication. He has been on the medication for a week and a half. His energy level is much better and he has seems overall better.

When we started giving him the medication, we were Advised by the vet to hand feed him twice a day with his medicine to make sure he was getting the nutrients he needs to keep growing. He started eagerly taking feedings again once he was sick (before it was hard to get him to even take one feeding). We are concerned because he now will not even touch his pellets. He will eat a few that I give him from my hand but he doesn't eat them any other time. He is starting to lose a few grams (he is around 200g) and I'm concerned he isn't getting enough to eat. (We feed him about 35 cc's of formula morning and night). He used to eat his pellets like crazy and not want anything to do with formula but now he doesn't seem interested in pellets at all.

After his crop has emptied from a formula feeding, he doesn't go the bathroom very often- and if he does, then it is hardly anything but coloring is still normal. (Which I assume means he isn't eating much) I don't want him to lose any weight especially if it doesn't seem like he is ready for the "weaning" stage. (I know they lose a little weight when they wean).

He still takes naps often but other than not eating his pellets anymore he seems okay. I'm just puzzled and concerned and want to know how I can get him to eat the pellets he used to love.

I've done a lot of research but i would like to know if anyone has any thoughts.

Thanks in advance, I appreciate it!

 

[thekarens]

If it were me I wouldn't worry about the pellets until he's 100% well. I would, however, do whatever I had to do to keep his weight up. You might try mashed veggies and hand feed them to him along with the formula. If nothing else give him more formula.

 

[Nexus]

Make sure pellets are his cage staple. I don't put any other sort of food other than pellets in my jenday's cage in an effort to ensure they remain his base diet. Everything else that I feed him such as vege, seed and fruit is always feed to him at his stand.

I feel your pain though! Birds can be so darn fussy and stubborn, and persistence is definitely key. I would suggest sunflower seeds for his weight, but I can just see that causing more problems.

Sorry, can't be of much help

 

[thekarens]

Starving a bird to try to force him to eat pellets is not the way to go, especially when the bird is sick. I would also argue that fresh diet should be the biggest portion of the diet rather than pellets. A healthier option from seeds IF your bird will eat them is sprouted seeds.

 

[witchbaby]

Keep feeding him formula. You don't want him to lose anymore weight. In the meantime, try crushing up his pellets into smaller pieces. You can add a small amount of water to the pellets so it resembles formula. Don't leave them out too long (not more than an hour) or they will go bad. My guess is his appetite will return to normal once he's feeling better.

 

[Jayyj]

I find my galah will only pick at normal pellets but will hoover up the Harrisons fine pellets, and I know of other galah owners who do better with the smaller size. Might be worth a try when you're ready to reintroduce them.

Given the cost of Harrisons and the tendency of parrots to take one bite, chuck it on the floor and reach for the next bit, the fine pellets are a lot more economical as well!

 

[Lpearson]

Thank you so much for all your replies! He refuses to eat anything so I'm thinking he might have kidney damage from being sick. I'm hoping he will heal and in the meantime I'm feeding him formula twice a day with coconut oil.

Have any of you ever had experience with this?

 

[Scott]

How is his blood chemistry; if it's been a while perhaps another panel would be helpful to diagnose any further issues.

Fresh fruits and veggies are IMHO of critical importance. A few staples such as garbanzo beans, endamame, apple, orange, yams, sweet potatoes, and corn-on-the-cob (not overly nutritious) banana, etc are enjoyed by many. You may have to repeatedly offer until he takes the smallest of bites and enjoys!