Special needs forum

[BirdyBee]

Hi, I've been wanting to ask about adding a sub-forum for birds with disabilities or illnesses/conditions. There's a surprisingly high amount of people with special needs birds(myself included!) so it'd be useful to have a sub-forum dedicated to helping disabled birds, where we can share tips, ask questions, and share our experience.

 

[SailBoat]

A Forum for Special Needs Parrots has merit. Currently, one would need to complete several specific internet searches to find a mixed bag of Posts, articles targeting this group. Having a single Forum for this group of Parrots (Members) is a great idea, which I fully support.

 

[Cottonoid]

That's a fantastic idea, Pipp!

 

[zERo]

It is a great idea! I have a disabled bird, non-parrot though :/

 

[HeatherG]

Great idea!

My special needs birds have all gone on to the big forest in the sky…but I remember well how I took care of them.

 

[LeeC]

Great idea, @PippTheBananaBirb! My blind Sun Conure died of heart disease, but I made some very special accommodations for him. My Timneh has really bad osteoarthritis in one toe since before I got him, and he was a plucker. I have come to think of my two plucked (FDB) parrots as special needs, but I realize that already has a dedicated community here. It is just interesting to consider that a plucked parrot has special needs due to concerns of sunburn, mosquito bites, injuries due to lack of "feather armor", etc.

 

[HeatherG]

Great idea, @PippTheBananaBirb! My blind Sun Conure died of heart disease, but I made some very special accommodations for him. My Timneh has really bad osteoarthritis in one toe since before I got him, and he was a plucker. I have come to think of my two plucked (FDB) parrots as special needs, but I realize that already has a dedicated community here. It is just interesting to consider that a plucked parrot has special needs due to concerns of sunburn, mosquito bites, injuries due to lack of "feather armor", etc.

Or Cold weather, or dry skin, or skin that doesn’t function well due to damage and needs careful management.

Pain management for parrots with arthritis secondary to past fractures is important. It’s too bad there’s no real “physical therapy” for parrots, but they may like massage and warmth.

 

[BirdyBee]

Sunny has diabetes and struggles to fly(both are common issues in show budgies, unfortunately).

Snowy has a foot disability, where her feet are a bit skew. It doesn't significantly impact her life, but she once had a small infection on her foot that went away by itself. She also has a weird issue where she will randomly vomit, sneeze, and struggle to breathe. I got medicine from my vet, and it seems to help a bit, as the episodes are less severe and happens less.

 

[LaManuka]

I think a "Special Needs" forum is a good idea too. I remember how shocked i was to find that my Fang the cockatiel has a chronic heart arrhythmia and would need medicating every day for the rest of his life - it's been over 3 years now since he was diagnosed and happily he is doing very well. I think a sub-forum where others could find encouragement and support would be a good thing

 

[StormyPica]

Good idea! I've had special needs birds in the past, and such a sub-forum would've been extremely helpful!

 

[LeeC]

I remember how shocked i was to find that my Fang the cockatiel has a chronic heart arrhythmia and would need medicating every day for the rest of his life - it's been over 3 years now since he was diagnosed and happily he is doing very well.

[Significance of magnesium in cardiac arrhythmias]

[Significance of magnesium in cardiac arrhythmias] - PubMed

Magnesium is of great importance in cardiac arrhythmias. It increases the ventricular threshold for fibrillation. Sinus node refractoriness and conduction in the AV node are both prolonged. Main indications for intravenous application of magnesium are Torsade de pointes tachycardias, digitalis...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[Terry57]

Thanks so much to BirdyBee for suggesting this, the new forum can be found here:

Special Needs Parrots

This was a wonderful idea, thank you to all who commented, as well.

This thread is now closed to prevent any confusion