New Cockatoo Sick or Just Tired?

[HarleyQ]

I just rescued a 5 year old bare eyed cockatoo from what seemed like a hoarding situation. I plan to take her to the vet this week for a checkup. Today she is mostly puffed up and sleeping. She has vocalized some and will come up to me at the cage, but for the most part she’s just been sleeping. She’s not tail bobbing or anything though. She was in a shed outside with a bunch of kenneled dogs so it’s possible she had a hard time sleeping there. She’s not seemed to keen on the food I’ve provided for her (nutriberries and Harrison’s pellets). I plan on getting her old food from petsmart today too see if it’s just because it’s unfamiliar. I’ve also attached a picture of her droppings because I’m not too sure if they’re normal. Just want to make sure this sounds normal for a new bird or if I should try to get her into an emergency vet today.
Thanks!

 

[Hermesbird]

Maybe the members I tagged can help

@Sarahmoluccan @JLcribber @sunnysmom

 

[Aves]

@Shezbug @Mizzely

 

[Mizzely]

It's hard to tell; vet visit for all new birds regardless of background is the way I do things.

And yes, birds are often highly suspicious of new foods and you may have your work cut out for you as far as converting!

 

[macawpower58]

If this is a super new addition, which it sounds like.
And it seems the bird had been living in totally different surroundings.
You may be seeing trauma, a bit of shock at the shakeup.
If she's used to seeds, definitely offer her some, even Walmart brand is better than no food for now.
Offer water the way she had it before if possible. If from a bottle, she may not realize it's in a bowl, and vice-a-versa.
I'm not sure you need an emergency vet, but the quickest you can get her in the better.
If she goes down even a little bit, looks weaker, then an emergency visit is in order.
Watch her closely.

 

[sunnysmom]

Are her droppings bubbly? Are the urates yellow? It might be me not seeing correctly but they do look off to me. As mentioned all birds react differently to a new home. And definitely let her eat whatever she is used to eating for now. I would definitely get her a vet check. Thank you for helping her.

@Birdbabe @Hankmacaw

 

[HarleyQ]

Are her droppings bubbly? Are the urates yellow? It might be me not seeing correctly but they do look off to me. As mentioned all birds react differently to a new home. And definitely let her eat whatever she is used to eating for now. I would definitely get her a vet check. Thank you for helping her.

@Birdbabe @Hankmacaw

Her droppings do not look bubbly. Urate appears more white than yellow. There is some green in there which is what kind of worried me. The internet said it could indicate liver failure.

So, I finally found out the exact type of food she was eating which is the Zupreem Fruit Blend. I went out and got it. Of course when I got back it appears that Haley did eat some nutriberry and at least thought about eating some Harrison's. She also clearly played with one of her toys. I gave her the Zupreem and she started eating that as well. Is the Zupreem any good? I've always liked Harrisons and Nutriberries with fresh fruits and veggies, but if the Zupreem is a good quality food I could always leave her on that. The artificial coloring makes me a little skeptical of its quality though. Also, for the checkup I definitely plan to do a fecal, but would bloodwork be recommended for a 5 year old?

 

[Mizzely]

I prefer Harrison's but my Jardine's has been on Zupreem Fruity for over 2 years now. It saved his life honestly. I would feed both and slowly phase out the Zupreem if it were me

 

[Birdbabe]

Glad shes eating! Shes been through #=//...get her checked, give her whatever she wants, you'll have plenty of time to gradually change her diet, Zupreem fruit pellets are the only ones my birds will eat, and they like avicakes, nutriberries,,,not so much..thank you for helping her,

 

[HarleyQ]

It was so sad honestly. She was in the tiniest cage with one concrete perch in it and on top of a kennel with three dogs and beside a small kennel with three puppies. I’m not even sure the shed was heated. I can’t wait to spoil her.

 

[Hankmacaw]

Welcome @HarleyQ . Thanks for taking this bird in. Sounds like she really needed a better life.

Her poop does not look good to me. The urine is quite yellow although it's hard to tell about the urates (but they do look tinged to me). The yellow does not mean "liver failure", but is good evidence of a liver disease. The really great majority of liver disease in birds can be cured or managed. Diet is a big part of that treatment.

Being housed with dogs, she could have one or more infections and those can effect the color of the poops too.

I don't think taking her to the emergency vet is necessary (unless she really fails). A regular avian vet will be much more thorough - emergency means emergency. Be sure you get her in as soon as you possibly can.

Nutritional Management of Liver Disease in Birds - LafeberVet

In mammals, chronic liver disease is often associated with decreased intake of food, mainly due to anorexia, nausea, and vomiting, as well as taste abnormalities, and the same appears to be true for the avian patient. Chronic liver disease may also lead to maldigestion and malabsorption, as well...

lafeber.com

Liver disease in avian patients (Proceedings)

This article will discuss methods of recognizing and diagnosing clinical liver disease in avian species including clinical signs, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging, biopsy, histopathology and culture.

www.dvm360.com

Please keep us informed. Many of us, including me, have had experience with liver disease in our birds.

 

[HarleyQ]

So you do think it’s liver disease? I did read that the zupreem can cause a green color but I’m not sure if that’s different or not.

 

[Birdbabe]

Were not vets, colored food will affect poo,,all seed diet will affect poo.., wait to get a full checkup, write down everything you want to ask, so you dont forget,,

 

[Hankmacaw]

I dtid not say that I don't think it's liver disease. That it is liver disease is a very good possibility, but there are other diseases (and pellet color) that can cause the poop to color. Her entire poop does not look like that of a healthy bird.

@Mizzely Where is your poop pictures chart?

 

[HarleyQ]

Were not vets, colored food will affect poo,,all seed diet will affect poo.., wait to get a full checkup, write down everything you want to ask, so you dont forget,,

Oh of course. I made this thread purely for advice and opinions from avid bird owners. I in no way would expect a diagnosis from anyone but a licensed vet. (I’m actually in vet school but the only vet I know personally that sees birds shouldn’t see birds or I would’ve asked him for advice).

I dtid not say that I don't think it's liver disease. That it is liver disease is a very good possibility, but there are other diseases (and pellet color) that can cause the poop to color. Her entire poop does not look like that of a healthy bird.

@Mizzely Where is your poop pictures chart?

Yes! I would love a chart. I’ve been trying to find one on the internet with no luck.

 

[Hankmacaw]

Here are explanations for you.

 

[camelotshadow]

Good Luck & thanks for giving her a chance at a good life.

Sleeping alot is not a good sign but maybe she did not sleep well with the dogs.
She also is new so she would be not as active & perhaps hiding out til she knew she was safe.

Make sure she is eating & drinking etc. Vet will be able to check her & hope she checks out OK.

The liquid surrounding the poop does look yellow tinged but if its sat sometimes the poop will bleed some color into the liquid. That could even mean she is dehydrated from the poop chart. Keep monitoring her poop.

 

[sunnysmom]

Zupreme isn't bad. My 'too came to me on it. I switched him to Higgins InTune. Still fruit flavored but not artificial coloring. But it would be ok to keep her on Zupreme.

 

[camelotshadow]

Higgins InTune natural flavors n colors. should taste similar to Zup

 

[HarleyQ]

I’ll have to try Higgins if she doesn’t take to the Harrison’s. I’ve had good luck switching birds to the high potency formula so we will see.