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Post by Sarah on Feb 7, 2014 16:41:20 GMT
Aggressive feather picking is only one possible symptom of giardia. Is your bird having large, seemingly painful bouts of diarrhea that smell foul? If not, it probably isn't an advanced case of giardia.
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Post by Sarah on Feb 7, 2014 16:49:47 GMT
Giardia is a waterborne parasite, so they would have needed to drink contaminated water from an outdoor source at some point, but I believe it can take some time to show up. For now, set about following my nursing tips to at least stabilize the situation. Please do not use a heating bulb. They are created to have heat gradients, some of which will be too low onto do anything or too hot for the birds to tolerate. A little heating pad from a Mart store will be much better for you birds, and probably cost less to. Those bulbs and their special lamps are not cheap!
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Post by hzuiel on Feb 7, 2014 20:33:14 GMT
A heating pad like the kind you would sleep on for back pain? I can use a drop light hood from a hardware store which are cheap, for an infrared bulb, but you think a heating pad is a better idea? What about a small space heater in the room? If there is itchy skin as a possible issue, we might have a humidifier stuffed in a closet somewhere, should I try that?
I'm not doubting you, but why the apple vinegar in the water? 1 drop per container? Would an earlier bedtime/reduced daylight hours maybe calm some stress? Would something like this be good for relaxing music?
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Post by hzuiel on Feb 7, 2014 20:40:32 GMT
Oh and I will try the shorter perches on either end instead of lengthwise ones, but not right now with limited funds and the birds being stressed.
As far as cage decorations go, I had been warned to remove mirrors if i found the birds looking into them. I have not noticed this, however given the situation, it's probably best to remove all the mirrors right?
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Post by Pammy on Feb 7, 2014 21:23:59 GMT
I do understand about money & the vet. I hope you can help this poor little one out. Incidentally, she is a girl, so you can start saying she and her rather than it, if you want. Please do follow Sarah's nursing care instructions to the best of your ability. She is remarkably knowledgable, and has never steered any of us wrong.
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Post by Sarah on Feb 8, 2014 23:35:18 GMT
As I said, the heating pads are a better option for nursing a bird because the heat is not made to be on a gradient like infrared bulbs, and they are designed to be applied to the human body, so you don't have to worry about adding to your birds problems by causing them to over heat. They have the option of snuggling up against the pad on the side of the cage if they want to, and moving away if they are getting too warm. If you put a heat bulb on the cage, there is every chance you will be adding heat stroke into the equation :/
As to the apple vinegar, it is packed with trace vitamins and nutrients, and is a good way to help a budgies body fight infection, particularly for birds on a limited diet like yours. If you don't like that idea, you could add a splash of pedialite into their water instead.... It is pretty much as affective.
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Post by hzuiel on Feb 9, 2014 14:35:55 GMT
I've been adding the apple vinegar since i got home friday. The Roudybush came in yesterday and i added it to their feeders this morning, haven't seen one of them in the feeder yet.
I observed something strange this morning. The green female one started plucking feathers this morning, not bad, but a few feathers and feather tops went. The blue male one got really upset and started carrying on, flying back and forth across the cage and hanging out right near it, carrying on and fussing. It's like he knows something is not right with her. Also t hough he started flying down to some lower perches that had a couple of dried poops and picked them off. Something i've never seen either of them do before. He was doing it frantically though, as part of his tantrum about the green one.
I have a few times recently noticed the male feeding the female, which....i think is a courting gesture?
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Post by Sarah on Feb 9, 2014 20:17:33 GMT
Feeding can be a courting gesture, or one of friendship, compassion and concern. He may perceive that she is not alright, and is trying to buck her up, emotionally or maybe even physically. It's interesting to see him behave this way to her. It is not uncommon for a healthy bird to become aggressive towards a sick one in an effort to protect themselves. Please do keep us updated about her... I've been worrying a lot.
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Post by hzuiel on Feb 9, 2014 23:25:19 GMT
You and me both.... They are not eating the roudybusy....how did i see this coming. They're literally hanging on the side of the cage asking me for more seeds.
{edit} I also note that his head feathers seem a bit out of sorts and he was rubbing his head on a branch earlier. I think since she got sick and started the feather plucking she isn't preening him anymore. He's preening her but she she's not preening him.
I am luring them into the feeders with crumbled up millet mixed into the roudybush but all they seem to be doing is playing treasure hunting, rooting in the pellets until they find what they want. I actually tasted the roudybush and I would eat this, why do they have to be so picky when at least one of them is sick and needs nourishment.
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Post by dianapalmer on Feb 10, 2014 0:54:45 GMT
I think you are doing the right thing mixing in the Roudybush and luring them in with millet. They will probably get some taste of the Roudybush, and gradually get used to it.
Do they eat any fresh vegetables?
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Post by Pammy on Feb 10, 2014 2:19:02 GMT
I think it's precious that your little male is concerned about your female and is trying to feed her to help her. I definitely would not withhold food that they will actually eat (seeds) while the one is doing so poorly. The last thing she needs is to starve on top of her other issue. I would offer both seeds and pellets, at least until your little girl has completely stopped the plucking behavior and seems totally well.
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Post by Sarah on Feb 10, 2014 6:05:42 GMT
I wholeheartedly agree with Pammy. Start by mixing in some roudybush into their seed, and then tipping the ratio a little closer to more pellets than seeds over time. Your sweet girl needs every calorie she can get in her body right now.
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Post by hzuiel on Feb 19, 2014 3:17:59 GMT
I've just been feeding mixed roudybush and seeds because of the situation, apple cider vinegar in the water(it's hard to get just a drop, usually amounts to a "bloop"). Her feathers are starting to grow back and she hasn't continued to pluck that I can tell. It seems as though whatever caused the plucking has passed. Am I right that her feathers may never totally grow back because some of the follicles could have been damaged during the plucking?
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Post by luvsanimals2 on Feb 19, 2014 3:59:13 GMT
i am glad she stopped plucking. it depends on the damage she has done, only time will tell tho
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Post by Sarah on Feb 20, 2014 4:08:27 GMT
In the majority of plucking cases all or most of the feathers grow back, so long as the skin is not scarred. It is natural for a parrot to pluck damaged feathers in order for the body to replace them more quickly, but that is usually one or two feathers, not the entire chest.
I'm glad she is doing better, and I hope she continues to improve!
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