Before you start screaming "Take him to the vet!!" Let me explain that I have an appointment with a vet that specializes in birds and exotics. In fact that is ALL she works with. He goes in at 11:30 tomorrow morning. He has had no changes in his life. I fill his dish and he throws all of his pellets out of his dish. I've tried hand feeding him, he picks up the pellet and throws it. Tried fresh fruits & veggies, he throws them too. I've even tried his favorite treats and he throws them. His crop is empty, and I havent seen him drink any water either. This has been going on since Friday or Saturday. Any suggestions on things I can try with him?
2007-03-26 14:53:15 · 42 answers · asked by cinnamon_n_spice97 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
He has been DNA sexed and is a Male, so the possibility of being eggbound is not an option. I dont know about the organ thing because he is still lovable, and talks just like there is nothing wrong. The only problem is that he is not eating (not sure if he is drinking or not). I am at work, and have him here with me so I can watch him. He still wont eat, gonna try his favorites again.
2007-03-26 15:03:42 · update #1
He does have lots of toys, he has a play gym next to his cage and has free reign between his cage and gym. The cage is 24"D x 30"W x 48"H,
I think I agree that puberty may be a reason, I hope it may only be that. Cross your fingers for me. As far as the lighting, he is in a room that has both natural and artificial lighting. He is in my living room, I work nights so when I'm not working, I am up late into the night and have the lights on. The TV is also on all the time in that room. I also have 2 minpins, 3 rabbits, and a cockatiel in the same room. My cockatiel is a female, and he can see her. She has been wanting to breed, could her behavior be affecting him??? Hadn't thought about that until just now.
2007-03-26 15:19:29 · update #2
Regarding respiratory system; I never burn candles unless they are white/unscented candles. I dont use air fresheners either, if an odor exists I just clean all the cages. We dont have teflon pans, and I dont smoke -- have allergies/asthma myself.
2007-03-26 15:46:54 · update #3
I took him to the vet yesterday. She does not think it is puberty, and he is not dehydrated so he must be drinking. I've gotten him to eat a few things, but its a constant process. We sent for bloodwork yesterday and I'm waiting for results. We will go back to the vet in a couple days for an update, and the results of his labwork. If nothing shows up there we will do xrays and go a little deeper. Thanks to all that have answered so far.
2007-03-28 14:33:05 · update #4
Hi there. Sorry for your troubles. It does sound like a behavioral problem possibly related to puberty. The weight loss is not good as you already know. I'm wondering if he is going through some dependency acting out. Act out in front of him by eating something appropriate. Exaggerate your gestures and tell him how delicious it is. Don't offer him any. Repeat this 20 minutes later. Wait 20 minutes and wrap the food in a piece of wax paper, twist the ends and leave it in a corner of his cage. He must be drinking because a lot of time has passed. Another idea is to offer him bird formula in a spoon or syringe with him sitting on a towel on his lap. He might be experiencing regression. Even humans have been known to do this.This usually is a phase but will pass. have the "poor baby" feeding time. The changes with puberty may be confusing him. I just hope he doesn't have an underlying organic disease. my gut feeling says no. I know you are very busy, but I would appreciate an update if you can find the time. My prayers are for your fid. may this problem get a solution soon for the sake of all. This must be very distressing.
2007-03-27 11:50:17 · answer #1 · answered by firestarter 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have a Congo gray also. when a bird does this it's not because their board or going through puberty. Congo's have a very delicate respiratory system. If you have burned candles or sprayed air freshener anywhere inside your house can be deadly to these birds. Also if you smoke and pick the bird up the residue from your fingers can also make a Congo sick.
glad to hear that you have a doctors appo. My vet told me that when a bird get sick in any way you need to go all out to treat them since the can go down very fast. The first thing they will do is put a small IV in him to rehydrate him. Then more than likely monitor him over night to stabilize him.
Good luck to you. and enjoy your bird they are the greatest pets on the planet
2007-03-26 15:42:35 · answer #2 · answered by TREX 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's probably going through puberty. Remember what a wreck you were then? But you're right to take him to the vet. If there is a medical problem any avian vet should be able to figure it out. Make sure he has plenty of toys to play with. Congos love to play, and they get bored easily. That could be his problem too. And just because you don't see him drink doesn't mean he's not doing it. I never notice the water dish in my Congo's cage going down significantly, unless he pulls it off the bars and spills it! But if it's puberty, he's probably going into the breeding cycle. If he's in a place where he only gets natural light, I'd say that's the most likely scenario. You can cure that by providing artificial light for a few hours at night. That'll mess up his bio-rhythm and he should settle down PDQ.
2007-03-26 15:06:29 · answer #3 · answered by texasjewboy12 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Are you switching foods on him? Did recently get him? Has he been on a seed diet? If so and you are trying to get him to eat healthier it is going to take time. Go back to whatever he has been eating and switch more gradually. If this is not the case then try making him mash or buy a commercially made one. I find that a mixture of mashed yams with corn, carrots, peas, and other veggies will usually tempt any grey. Crush some pellets and mix it in as well with some almonds and sunflower seeds mixed in for surprise goodies. I often add a fried egg that I have ground the shell into to add extra calcium and protein. I recently acquired a grey that has been on a seed diet all of her 4 years of life and she ate most of the mash I gave her the first time she tried it.
Also for the future I would get a full spectrum light because although he gets daylight if it is through glass most of the UV rays that you want you grey to be getting are blocked. Greys need light in order to absorbe the calcium and other vitamins they get in their food to stay healthy. Also try eating with him. Make a salad or some pasta that you can share and let him have his own perch at the table. Be ready for a mess!
2007-03-26 23:03:02 · answer #4 · answered by don'tbuy,adopt 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
3 hours of shopping
2017-03-02 13:37:36 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make like a fish and swim at a leisurely pace for 17 minutes
2016-05-30 04:41:15 · answer #6 · answered by Bernadine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good for you with everything you have done so far!
Continue to try his favorites. Try eating some of the same things he is, maybe that will get him to eat. Cook some pasta and serve it warm, my birds love that. You can also try brown rice (cooked), warm veggies, Cheerios, and even bird treats. Good luck and please email me and let me know what the vet says.
2007-03-26 15:15:29 · answer #7 · answered by Christie D 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
save 85 calories just by swapping mustard for mayonnaise in a sandwich
2016-04-20 08:37:44 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not eating or skipping meals is not dieting If you do you may get more weight
2016-08-04 01:15:11 · answer #9 · answered by Philomena 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before going to store to buy food items firts list them
2015-12-19 19:42:56 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋