- Joined
- 5/12/16
- Messages
- 169
Hi I am new to the site, but not new to parrots. My VIPs (very important parrots) are 1 cockatiel (“Cherry” male. b.1994), 1 Panama amazon (“Kukulkan” male b. 2004) and 2 WB Caiques (“Loki” female, b. 2003 and “Puck” female b. 2006). I had them all these years.
You see my cockatiel is over 21 years old. About 3 weeks ago, I noticed his droppings were looking strange ---- larger and really pale green, almost white. I did not notice anything else, but I took him to a vet, even though I knew it could be the he was getting old. The vet did not find any usual bacteria, but he weighed only 72g on that day. The vet said it could be cancer (in that case, nothing can be done). Considering the fact that he is old and quite underweight, I decided not to pursue any aggressive treatment or blood test.
My amazing creature is enjoying extra time with his mommy. He rests a lot, but his voice is strong. His appetite is good ---- he eats his pellets, spray millet (he is not eating regular white millet anymore), and he is totally excited to get “people” food that I give (rice, egg, veggies). This was a bird who never wanted much of people food before! I am giving him digestive enzyme, as suggested by the vet. Yet, I think he keeps losing his weight. Now he is so visibly thin. Sometimes, he throws up.
His demeanor also changed. He always enjoyed good head-scratch, but he was not the most interactive bird. He was somewhat cage bound and I had to trick him to come out of cage oftentimes so that I can put him in another cage so that he can be in the same room as others. Now he is super-affectionate. He’s rather sit on me and rest. Luckily, I can work from home a lot (quiet and sedentary kind of work). He is sitting on me as I write this, and grinding his beak.
I want to make sure he is comfortable and happy, given the situation. He is an amazing fighter. Any suggestions for comfort food or any other suggestions or insight to take care of old and sick bird will be appreciated.
Thank you.
You see my cockatiel is over 21 years old. About 3 weeks ago, I noticed his droppings were looking strange ---- larger and really pale green, almost white. I did not notice anything else, but I took him to a vet, even though I knew it could be the he was getting old. The vet did not find any usual bacteria, but he weighed only 72g on that day. The vet said it could be cancer (in that case, nothing can be done). Considering the fact that he is old and quite underweight, I decided not to pursue any aggressive treatment or blood test.
My amazing creature is enjoying extra time with his mommy. He rests a lot, but his voice is strong. His appetite is good ---- he eats his pellets, spray millet (he is not eating regular white millet anymore), and he is totally excited to get “people” food that I give (rice, egg, veggies). This was a bird who never wanted much of people food before! I am giving him digestive enzyme, as suggested by the vet. Yet, I think he keeps losing his weight. Now he is so visibly thin. Sometimes, he throws up.
His demeanor also changed. He always enjoyed good head-scratch, but he was not the most interactive bird. He was somewhat cage bound and I had to trick him to come out of cage oftentimes so that I can put him in another cage so that he can be in the same room as others. Now he is super-affectionate. He’s rather sit on me and rest. Luckily, I can work from home a lot (quiet and sedentary kind of work). He is sitting on me as I write this, and grinding his beak.
I want to make sure he is comfortable and happy, given the situation. He is an amazing fighter. Any suggestions for comfort food or any other suggestions or insight to take care of old and sick bird will be appreciated.
Thank you.
welcome to AA.
. I hope he feels better soon.
