Rudy Stopped Eating

[Mommajack]

Hey guys, I'm worried about Rudy. I don't think he's eaten much since yesterday and I'm not sure what to do.

Let me start by saying yes, I know I should take him to the vet, but no, I cannot afford it. And I mean that literally. I have $23.00 to my name right now and won't get more until Thursday. I've already tried to get a vet to let me bring him in and then bill me later, I was refused. The only people I can borrow money from are out of town until Sunday.

The problem may have started last Thursday. I got really busy, was gone all day, and by the time I got home I was just too tired to let Rudy out. I went to bed and the next day (Friday), he wouldn't eat. Thinking he was just still upset about being cooped up all day, I didn't worry too much. He did seem to eat a little bit after I let him out for awhile and then put him back in (he always eats in his cage), but not as much as usual.

Now today (Saturday), he's still not really eating. Not his seeds, veggies, fruit, etc., nothing I put in there. He is just as energetic as usual, scrabbling away at his toys, but his crop looks completely empty, sunk in. He is still talking to me, trying to say 'hello' and 'I love you'. He moves around his cage as much as before. I even gave him a corn cob to play with yesterday, tying it to his cage bars. He plays around with the shucks a bit but doesn't try to eat the kernals, but it's possible he doesn't realize it's food yet as I've always given him corn off the cob.

I think I should add, and he's always been this way, he doesn't really play much when I do let him out. He always just wants me to hold him while he takes a nap. I'd assumed this was pretty much because he's still a baby (he's about 5 months old now), but now I'm wondering if it's something else. Also, he sneezes when he's out. He falls asleep in my lap, and often wakes himself up sneezing. His nose is not runny, and anything he sneezes out is clear. Every once in awhile he will sneeze in his cage, but usually not. I'm thinking the sneezing may be due to an allergy to what I wash my clothes in, or something (I have not worn perfume or lotion since I got him), but am adding the info here just in case. I keep my AC set to 78F.

I don't know what he weighs and have no way to weigh him. I do know he's grown since I got him because 2 people who saw him a month ago, when I first got him, saw him a couple days ago and both said the same thing, "Wow! He's really gotten big!"

So my questions at this point are, how much should I worry, and what can I do in the meantime while I try to gather cash?

 

[Mayden]

Please consider pet insurance for this reason. We don't have it, but we have credit cards and a vet who will let us bill later. I'll say no more on the matter because it doesn't help now, but please consider it for future.

Are you sure he's not just warm? My Merlin eats less when the weather is particularly warm. He just shrugs off food, opting to nap or play with his water some more instead.

How are his poops? Is he still going as normal?

Are you absolutely positive he isn't eating? As in, food is exactly the same as when you put it in? Have you tried sprucing up his foods?

Any other changes to his routine or anything?

Tomorrow is Sunday and I'm hoping your friends will let you borrow the money - until then just keep an eagle eye on him and keep us updated. We'll try and keep you afloat with the situation best we can from what we know!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Is Rudy completely weaned already? If so, how long has he been weaned? How are his droppings?

If you have handrearing formula, I'd suggest making some and try giving it to him via spoon.

I also strongly suggest you invest in a gram scale as soon as you can afford one. They come in super handy. I weigh all my birds at least once a week, in the morning, and keep record. Sudden weight loss is the first indicator that something "could" be wrong.

Best of luck! I truly hope nothing is wrong and the he'll find his appetite soon.

 

[Mommajack]

Are you sure he's not just warm? My Merlin eats less when the weather is particularly warm. He just shrugs off food, opting to nap or play with his water some more instead.

Well I've kept my AC at 78F since I got him, so that shouldn't be the problem.

How are his poops? Is he still going as normal?

Are you absolutely positive he isn't eating? As in, food is exactly the same as when you put it in? Have you tried sprucing up his foods?

Let's say I'm absolutely positive he isn't eating as much as he did before. Before, he'd clean out his fresh foods dish completely, and then do the same again in the afternoon after I refilled it. There still seems to be just as much in his morning bowl as when I first put it in there. He occasionally eats a little from it, but not much. The same for his seeds, if I put sunflower seeds in there he eats those, and a few of the pumpkin, but that seems to be it. I did find out yesterday he loves Brazil nuts and eats those, but I can't let him subsist on nuts alone. Other new foods I've tried giving him he won't eat.

His poops seem normal, just not a big as they were before.

Any other changes to his routine or anything?

Other than him not getting out last Thursday, no. And trying a few new foods (shelled Brazil nuts, dehydrated cranberries, pitted cherries, sugar peas, and I tried sprinkling a little cream of wheat and corn meal on things).

Is Rudy completely weaned already? If so, how long has he been weaned? How are his droppings?

He was completely weaned when I got him, he's always had 'real' food with me. I've had him a month. His droppings appear normal, just not as big as before.

 

[Mayden]

Are you sure he's not just warm? My Merlin eats less when the weather is particularly warm. He just shrugs off food, opting to nap or play with his water some more instead.

Well I've kept my AC at 78F since I got him, so that shouldn't be the problem.

How are his poops? Is he still going as normal?

Are you absolutely positive he isn't eating? As in, food is exactly the same as when you put it in? Have you tried sprucing up his foods?

Let's say I'm absolutely positive he isn't eating as much as he did before. Before, he'd clean out his fresh foods dish completely, and then do the same again in the afternoon after I refilled it. There still seems to be just as much in his morning bowl as when I first put it in there. He occasionally eats a little from it, but not much. The same for his seeds, if I put sunflower seeds in there he eats those, and a few of the pumpkin, but that seems to be it. I did find out yesterday he loves Brazil nuts and eats those, but I can't let him subsist on nuts alone. Other new foods I've tried giving him he won't eat.

His poops seem normal, just not a big as they were before.

Any other changes to his routine or anything?

Other than him not getting out last Thursday, no. And trying a few new foods (shelled Brazil nuts, dehydrated cranberries, pitted cherries, sugar peas, and I tried sprinkling a little cream of wheat and corn meal on things).

Is Rudy completely weaned already? If so, how long has he been weaned? How are his droppings?

He was completely weaned when I got him, he's always had 'real' food with me. I've had him a month. His droppings appear normal, just not as big as before.

(78f) 21c for me, that's crazy! it's 24c outside and today is 'one of the hottest days of the year' in the UK. Wish it was this temperature every day here.

Not related, just remarking how different our own tolerance for temperature is!

You say you can't just keep him subsidised on nuts and things, but right now 'anything is better than nothing'. Give him anything he'll eat until you can get him to an Avian Vet. A larger intake of fats or something for a day or two is not going to trounce his liver or anything so don't worry about him having something that is more 'treaty'. Like sunflower seeds.

The fact that he's still pooping as normal suggests that he's still eating - if nothing's going in, nothing will come out. + if they're not incredibly watery either, then he's definitely getting his 'solids' somehow. It's something to think about...

 

[Mommajack]

OK, I did just add more Brazil nuts, walnuts, and sunflower seeds. I forgot, I also added walnuts to his diet last week, he also eats those too.

The only other change I can think of, other than a new toy I made him (and I just checked, no bits are missing so he didn't eat part of it), is I've been more insistent about him not sitting on my shoulder. I've decided big beak near face = asking for trouble. Today, however, I'm going to let him sit there, just to see if that makes a difference. Perhaps he's just ticked off about new rules?

EDIT
Actually, many people here keep their homes a bit cooler than I do, but it gets expensive and I'm on a budget

 

[MikeyTN]

I keep my house at 68 degrees F. At 5 months old he's still a baby and can revert back to formula again! It is wise to have some around if you need it. Another thing babies would do is they would eat eat eat in the beginning stages of weaning and all of the sudden they cut down to almost nothing. That's typical of babies. But you do need to keep an close eye on him just in case. Since you don't have a scale available you should feel his breast bone area making sure he's not losing massive weight. You shouldn't be able to feel his breast bone with no meat on the sides of it!!!

 

[Mayden]

OK, I did just add more Brazil nuts, walnuts, and sunflower seeds. I forgot, I also added walnuts to his diet last week, he also eats those too.

The only other change I can think of, other than a new toy I made him (and I just checked, no bits are missing so he didn't eat part of it), is I've been more insistent about him not sitting on my shoulder. I've decided big beak near face = asking for trouble. Today, however, I'm going to let him sit there, just to see if that makes a difference. Perhaps he's just ticked off about new rules?

EDIT
Actually, many people here keep their homes a bit cooler than I do, but it gets expensive and I'm on a budget

He could be annoyed with the new rules, but I think that's more likely to come across with him ignoring you, turning his back on you, etc. rather than him choosing to not eat.

I say keep up with anything he'll eat and then gather the money together. If he's all better and you work out what his issues were, don't bother. If still worried, whisk him off

 

[Mommajack]

I keep my house at 68 degrees F. At 5 months old he's still a baby and can revert back to formula again! It is wise to have some around if you need it. Another thing babies would do is they would eat eat eat in the beginning stages of weaning and all of the sudden they cut down to almost nothing. That's typical of babies. But you do need to keep an close eye on him just in case. Since you don't have a scale available you should feel his breast bone area making sure he's not losing massive weight. You shouldn't be able to feel his breast bone with no meat on the sides of it!!!

This makes me feel better. I didn't know babies would do that. I will have to try to find some formula, but I don't know how to feed him. Is there a thread on that here?

 

[JerseyWendy]

We keep our house at 78 as well just because I like it, lol. To me that's super comfortable. I could be in 78 degrees year round. And none of my fids complain or get hot either.

As for hand feeding, go to YouTube and type in "hand feeding macaw". You'll find MANY links to clips and video. If you are going to attempt to do this yourself, I'd suggest using a spoon instead of a syringe.

 

[Mayden]

I agree with Wendy. I suggest using a spoon, but I'd recommend bending it so it looks more like this one.

It's easier for the babies to feed off and easier for you to get it down their neck!

 

[MacawLoverOf3]

Please keep in mind that Cream of Wheat is very high in iron which is great for human babies but not birds. Corn meal will also have extra vitamins and things humans need but will be an over load on birds, especially baby birds. I know a lot of people feed baby food to their birds thinking they are doing real good for them, especially thinking because it is organic, but read the labels and remember all the iron and other things are in their for humans, not birds.

If you have a blender, make a smoothie for the little guy. Use more of the veggies and just a little bit of a fruit (remember, fruits have natural sugars which if given too much will cause yeast infections), add ice and offer. Great way to get the good stuff into your birds and they think it is a very special treat

 

[noblemacaw]

Hi, I was reading though this thread and wanted to share what I do for my older baby RFM Valentino.

After Valentino became too old for the baby parrot hand rearing formula I began to pulverize his daily pellet in a coffee grinder into a powder like substance. When hot water is added like you do with the baby formula the texture is much the same as baby formula but you need to pulverize the pellet in a coffee grinder (cheapest way to grind the pellet into a powder). If you are feeding your parrot a pellet and you have a coffee grinder you have a way to make formula for your parrot to feed so you can get some nutrition into Rudy.

However with TOPs and Harrisons I found that even when using the coffee grinder to pulverize the pellet into a powder both these types of pellet does grind into a powder but they both tend to clog up the syringe. If you are going to use the spoon method to feed the formula then that should not be an issue.

Please keep us updated with Rudy's progress. I hope this helps.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

I don't know how many vets that take birds where you are . But if they do call and see if they take {Care Credit ] Then apply for it online, If accepted you don't need to wait for the card .Most vets just need the number .Good Luck

 

[Mommajack]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I have removed the cream of wheat and corn meal from his diet.

His crop looks empty this morning but it always does in the morning. Normally he's eaten by now though.

He did eat a little bit of seed and nuts last night. Not much, but he ate at least 4 Brazil nuts (possibly 5, I lost count) in total yesterday. He also figured out the corncob isn't just a toy and nibbled a little on it. I tried to give him a Keebler brand multi-grain cracker last night, just to get him to eat something more. He threw it down, but this morning I only see one little part of it. He either ate the rest or crumbled it up to crumbs, not sure which.

This morning he's as energetic as always, but is pitching a total fit. I think. He's pulling his seed dish out of it's holder and dumping it all on the floor of his cage. At first I thought it was an accident but after watching and cleaning it up twice I know he's doing it on purpose. I decide to leave it. The seed is fresh, I give him new stuff every day, so it isn't that it's gone bad or something. It's the same thing he's been fed, so it shouldn't be that he doesn't like it. He could just be playing a new game he invented. If so I don't like it >.<

He took a couple little nibbles off the corncob this morning, but I haven't seen him touch it since. He hasn't dumped his fruit/veggie dish yet, nor eaten any of it.

I've been watching his water bottle, he seems to be drinking the normal amount for him.





Off topic question: after he eats the corncob, if he ever finishes it, can I save the husks for toys later? Does it need to be dried a certain way or anything, or is it good as is? I had purchased corn husks from the grocery store previously for toys, but he seems to like this 'fresh' husk better. Or maybe it's because it's tied to the side of the cage.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Sorry, I can't help you with the husk, as I honestly have NO clue, but I think it's a GREAT sign that Rudy is playing naughty games with his dry food dish. I hear you loud and clear about not liking that particular game very much - I've lived through that period with my Niko, and was ready to rip my hair out. :54:

 

[Mommajack]

Heh. I thought to myself, "Self, ziptie that veggie dish down, just in case."

And wouldn't you know it, Rudy is currently trying his hardest to throw it on the floor.

At least he's consistent.

 

[JJones1719]

Please be advised that your baby has regressed and needs to be weaned again. This also happened to me and after $800.00 in Vet bills, I ended up taking my Neleno back to the Breeder, she had to tube feed him to keep him alive. if you do not know how to tube feed, please seek help in your area. Contact a local rescue or bird club and they can help you or take your Macaw back to the Breeder. Best of luck Joe

 

[Mommajack]

Thanks guys. The good news is Rudy has eaten more today. He's eaten about a third of the corncob, 2 teaspoons of mashed sweet potatoes and a teaspoon of mashed English peas. Since you thought he was reverting to baby-hood I decided to mash things up. He's also eaten more seeds than yesterday. His crop isn't stuffed full but its noticeably filled out and not sunk in. And he's still eating. He won't eat any cut up food, but I'm happy he's eating the peas and potatoes at least.

I appreciate all the advice and help and will keep you guys updated.
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