Bird Emergency Highway 911

[daria]

I've had Littlebird for 17 years and she never has laid an egg. This year there was more brooding/hormonal behavior among 3 of my 5 large macaws- Littlebird & Lucky bird were busy shredding paper and getting into skirmishes with Buddy who was building her own shredded paper nest . I have an 8 X 14 ' indoor aviary so that was an awful lot of paper. Sat. I noticed Littlebird straining and vommitting so I immediately took her to an excellent avian vet who extracted the egg. Her WBC was sky high so she was put on Cipro too. He delayed discharge until 4:00 PM today because she was vommitting early in the morning but by the afternoon she was pooping and the vommitting stopped. I have her home now and am dismayed by her appearance and behavior. She is sitting all by herself with ruffled feathers and her head tucked. She did eat and poop ( a small amount and not as formed as usual). What I'm worried about is Lucky bird, her pal of 15 years. Usually they are inseparable, but Lucky bird is pecking her and doesn't want to sit next to her. I know in the wild this signifies a sick bird the flock ostrasizes so not to attrack predators. Also , are there any tricks to giving Cipro by syringe- I wan't too successful getting it down her. She seemed to know what was coming and didn't cooperate . it went all over the place.

[southernbirds]

As a medical professional I would say that perhaps you can add something thick that is sweet to encourage her not to fight the dropper. Have you tasted the medicine to see how it tastes. I know that little kids like the taste of children's Motrin, so if the Avian Vet approves, perhaps you can mix a little in there to thicken it up and improve the taste. Hope this helps. Sorry to hear about her predicament. She is fortunate to be in your home. Can you imagine if she were one of the wild ones without any medical recourse? Let me know if my suggestion was a consideration. Just curious if it will work and the doctor approves. Not try "poly- pharmacy" but sometimes we have to get creative.

[srtiels]

Yikes! I am not familiar with handling big birds to orally dose her so hopefully someone else can advise there. My only thought would be if she would eat something from a spoon the meds can be added to that.

Did the vet say why the Cipro? Cipro is the human version of Baytril. Does he suspect an infection inside such as peritonitis?

If her bird friend is being testy with her, this will add further stress, so you might consider separating them while you are treating her. She might be better off in a hospital cage with added heat.

Hopefully others familair with macaws can add input.

[daria]

Sat. I noticed Littlebird straining and vomitting so I immediately took her to a great avian vet as I suspected a bound egg even though this hasn't happened in 17 years. I thought everything was going to be OK ( except my bank account) ,after the vet extracted the egg and gave antibiotics. The vet delayed discharge because she was vommitting but by 4 she seemed to be doing better. Quite truthfully, I'm worried sick. She is sitting by herself all ruffled with her head tucked ,shunned by her pal of 15 years, Luck bird. I also couldn't get the Cipro down her too.Anybody had experience with getting antibiotics down without towelling ( My daughter the vet won't towell this bird) ? Am I over reacting as she has been thru quite an ordeal? When do I panic? She did eat and did poop but I expected her to act more normal.

[Nailrep]

I would get her back to the vet tomorrow morning if no change. Can you remove her to a more secluded area so she can rest quietly?

[JLcribber]

Lots of good tips to give your birds meds on this page.

Orally Medicating your Pet Bird

[Billie Faye]

I would TOTALLY seperate them for the time being....she needs to be kept quiet and calm...without other birds around her....until she goes through this...JMHO
As for the meds, will she take peanut butter on bread? mix the meds with the Peanut butter and make a big deal out of feeding her....
I also agree on keeping her warm during this time....
I would take out any paper/dark areas to break this cycle...

[daria]

Now Buddy just attacked her and Lucky bird just watched (usually they're a team against Buddy.) The vet wanted her home as he feel birds do better with familar surroundings but she is being terrorized by her flock mates. Tonight I'll get an old cage from the garage and put her in it so I can go to sleep myself knowing she'll be OK. Maybe I'll put the cage in the bottom of the aviary.

[1parakeet]

Oh, I'm sorry that this happened. I hope everything works out for the best.

[birdlvr466]

Daria I am going to move your thread to 911 for more exposure.