Urgent Green Cheek Conure top beak bitten off (sad update #11)

[blackscell]

So long story short, I have a couple GCC and one red eclectus. They have their own cage and I will keep them apart, never near eachother. Has been going well for years. The GCC are about 2 years old and the eclectus is very terrotorial and she's about 21 y/o. Today, my wife didn't pay attention and the GCC went in the EC's cage to eat her food. She came in, bit his beak. His top beak was literally hanging. I rushed to the vet immediatly (2 hours away) because no avian vet was nearby. He was clearly in pain. They are keeping him now for the day and giving pain medications, tomorrow I'll hear several options from the bird specialist.

I could post a picture but I choose not too, it's too graphic. Her lower beak seemed fine, just the top one being ripped off completely for about 80%. I do not want to euthanize her due to our own faults. What are the options/chances of survival?

 

[flyzipper]

I'm sorry that happened and glad you were able to get him to an avian vet.

It will take some adjustment for him and you (different food and cage setups, for example), but birds can survive and adapt with damaged beaks.

Here's an example of one I follow on Instagram...

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[iamwhoiam]

Sorry this happened. It's very good that you took him to the vet. Birds can survive with missing beak parts.
Sending positive thoughts for his recovery.

 

[April]

Oh gosh so very sorry to hear that this happened. Wishing your little one healing thoughts. Feeding him soft and mushy foods will be a big help in getting calories in him and helping him adjust to his new life. @Pixiebeak

 

[blackscell]

Here is a picture of them both. The left one is with the damaged beak. So unfortunate, I'll get a call from the specialist tomorrow. So dissapointed that I was not home, it would've never happened.

 

[Pixiebeak]

So sorry, it's awful no ways about it when these things happen, I've had stuff happen . We do everything we can to not ....

Many times , if some of the growth areas remains , it will try to grow back , even if warped and a little bit it helps them. And as mentioned there are tough little survival stories out there of birds that adapt to not having.

Your nursing and support care when you get him home is so important. I am huge at pushing having a radiant heat panel. I swear by my sweeter Heater as found on Amazon. It's an investment but as long as you have parrot's you will have many times it is needed. It's saved many of mine lives.

I would get baby bird formula, I use kaytee, but you can ask your veterinarian what they recommend. First adult birds crops don't stretch like a baby bird . So it's smaller amounts. At a guess 3ml 4 times a day , if not eating anything on own. But at least twice a day as support if is eating some . Have a digital kitchen scale and weigh every morning, adjust support feeding as needed to maintain it gain back weight. Sick injured birds can need as much as 5x base calories. When making formula for adults, they tend to like thicker like just thin enough to be able to push through a syringe. I would use a 1 ml or tuberculin syringe, so you can go slow and careful. I do st Barak tip , just a beak full at time. I do not fit e it in mouth. I have them stand with my left hand on back fingers holding shoulder,head free. It's an art, they sbd you learn. To water down they can choke . They get enough moister still with the Greek yogurt like thickness of formula even if not drinking. Close watching poops as well as weight.

 

[blackscell]

Specialist called today. Her upper jaw and beak were shattered. She is on pain medication and morphine. They will do a titanium prosthetic beak. They do not have the pins for the beak in stock, so they need to order it elsewhere.

Cost breakdown for reference: 1 Night at the emergency vet with pain medication €400/approx $435.

 

[flyzipper]

Thanks for the update.
What's your injured bird's name?

 

[blackscell]

Thanks for the update.
What's your injured bird's name?

His/her name is Khaki

 

[Pixiebeak]

Much love to khaki

Wishing you both the best

 

[blackscell]

Sad news.... I got called today by the vet saying he passed away. They do not know how, he was stabilized and doing fine and lively. They think he might have tried to eat and that it got stuck, they have no other explanation.

I am so devestated by this. How do I go from here with the remaining GCC, he is clearly lonely. I am so frustrated, he was doing so well...

 

[Mizzely]

Oh no, that's awful I'm so sorry.

From here it's tricky because you want to help your other bird, but you also need to be kind to yourself. If you think you're ready for another bird, then it's okay to go looking! If, however, you need more time or you're not wanting to go that route, then try to spend as much time with your remaining bird as you can

 

[blackscell]

Oh no, that's awful I'm so sorry.

From here it's tricky because you want to help your other bird, but you also need to be kind to yourself. If you think you're ready for another bird, then it's okay to go looking! If, however, you need more time or you're not wanting to go that route, then try to spend as much time with your remaining bird as you can

I am probably going to look for another bird. She is clearly not doing well alone, screams at night and whenever I leave the room. She was very used to a partner

 

[Tyrion]

So sorry for your loss

 

[flyzipper]

I'm so sorry that Khaki is gone.

 

[Pixiebeak]

I'm sorry...

Birds do grieve. Just give extra loves and time with her.

 

[expressmailtome]

I am sorry for your loss.

 

[blackscell]

I have 2 cages in my house. The eclectus has been moved away to her previous home (parents in law). I do not want to take the risk anymore with her around since she is very territorial. The remaining GCC is about 2y/o. My local shelter has one available that is around 3 months old. Would this cause issues due to age difference?

 

[CeciliaZ]

I am so sorry for your loss. Considering age difference, I think it depends on the birds. I have read that closer in age is better. Years ago, when my oldest tiel was alone after the death of another tiel, I quickly brought home 2 more - was planning on only one - but could not decide on which one. One of the tiels quickly bonded to him and today they are still very bonded to each other. One is about 24 yrs old, the other will be 14 later this year.

 

[iamwhoiam]

So very sorry for your loss. Not predictable whether or not the new bird and your current GCC will get along with one another but sometimes it is worth a try.
Just be sure that you quarantine the new bird for about 30-45 days.