Terramin

[SkyPeepers]

Has anyone ever given their birds a supplement called Terramin? I have read that it is a clay that birds eat in the wild. It is supposed to remove toxins from the body and has many other health benefits. People and animals are supposed to be able to use it. I am hoping to find a supplement to build my lovie back up after all he has been through this past year. I am just a little nervous about trying something I don't know a lot about. I am hoping someone on the site knows about this product and may have even tried it with their birds. It has great reviews on Amazon, but only from the people who used it for themselves and not with their pets.

 

[Shezbug]

bump

 

[Mockinbirdiva]

I haven't heard about it. What has your lovie been through for the past year and what exactly is his diet ( everything included by name).

 

[Zara]

Hi Yvonne, I had moved this thread over to Healthy Highway in the hopes more people see it who may have some info.

 

[Mizzely]

Bodies have something built in to remove toxins - kidneys

Parrots from the Amazon eat clay because the soil is so nutrient poor that the plants are low in sodium. So they eat the clay to make up the difference. They used to think it was for toxins but that has been largely proven incorrect. I think clay makes a great face mask, but ingestion for blanket cures I cannot get behind.

What is going on with your lovie?

 

[SkyPeepers]

Thanks everyone for your help and sorry I haven't responded sooner. Busy day at home. I appreciate your input on the Terramin. My little guy got tangled in some threads in his cage earlier this year. When I came home from work I found him unable to get loose. Not sure how long he was stuck that way. When I got him untangled I saw that he was bleeding. The bleeding would not stop and could not find anyone to see him for about 4 hours. He finally stopped bleeding when we arrived at the vet. He seemed ok from then on. 6 days later though when he flew out of his cage to play with his toys on top, he hit into the side of the cage. He could not fly after this and began sitting with his head tilted to his left. I took him to the vet and he found the injury on his head. The vet thought he might have a concussion. I have been hoping that he will recover, but he still cannot fly and his head is still tilted (sometimes hanging besides his body.) I am always wondering if the blood loss contributed to this. It just seems strange that he was ok for about a week after the blood loss.
He eats well and plays with his toys and is sleek looking. He looks healthy except for the head tilt and sleeping more that he used to. He is about 14 years old. His diet consists of ABBA seed, flax seed, Ralf Yellow (an egg based food), fruit flavored pellets and greens. I just started sprinkling vitamins (Quicko) on their food. I noticed that they did not drink as much when it was put in the water. He loves apples, which he eats everyday. (I am hoping that is not too often.) I also give him spinach everyday. It seems in the last week that the head tilt is becoming worse. For a time it seemed to be improving. I was just hoping that this supplement might be something to give him a boost to make him healthier.
If you have any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks again everyone for your replies. I'm so glad there is somewhere to reach out to other bird lovers for their advice.

 

[Tiel Feathers]

I’m sorry your little bird has had such a hard time of it recently. I’m sure someone will come along who has more knowledge about what’s going on than me. I hope he will be okay!

 

[Mockinbirdiva]

Thanks everyone for your help and sorry I haven't responded sooner. Busy day at home. I appreciate your input on the Terramin. My little guy got tangled in some threads in his cage earlier this year. When I came home from work I found him unable to get loose. Not sure how long he was stuck that way. When I got him untangled I saw that he was bleeding. The bleeding would not stop and could not find anyone to see him for about 4 hours. He finally stopped bleeding when we arrived at the vet. He seemed ok from then on. 6 days later though when he flew out of his cage to play with his toys on top, he hit into the side of the cage. He could not fly after this and began sitting with his head tilted to his left. I took him to the vet and he found the injury on his head. The vet thought he might have a concussion. I have been hoping that he will recover, but he still cannot fly and his head is still tilted (sometimes hanging besides his body.) I am always wondering if the blood loss contributed to this. It just seems strange that he was ok for about a week after the blood loss.
He eats well and plays with his toys and is sleek looking. He looks healthy except for the head tilt and sleeping more that he used to. He is about 14 years old. His diet consists of ABBA seed, flax seed, Ralf Yellow (an egg based food), fruit flavored pellets and greens. I just started sprinkling vitamins (Quicko) on their food. I noticed that they did not drink as much when it was put in the water. He loves apples, which he eats everyday. (I am hoping that is not too often.) I also give him spinach everyday. It seems in the last week that the head tilt is becoming worse. For a time it seemed to be improving. I was just hoping that this supplement might be something to give him a boost to make him healthier.
If you have any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks again everyone for your replies. I'm so glad there is somewhere to reach out to other bird lovers for their advice.

@enigma731 knows more about concussions and head injuries than I do. Though I do doubt the Terramin would be of any benefit. You might consider switching the fruit flavored pellets for Harrison pellets as they do have Montmorillonite Clay in this lifetime formula shown, I think on of the other Harrisons pellets contain Bentonite clay ( I might have that spelling wrong). Visit Kazoo Bird and Company and look at the variety of Harrison pellets she sells to read the ingredients... type Harrisons in the search bar. I can't say this would improve your lovies health condition. Lets see who I tagged for you can be of some assistance.

Pellets

 

[Vittror]

Sorry to hear your lovebird is having such a hard time! I hope he feels better soon!

I think spinach is not good for birds to eat everyday because it is high in oxalates and can block calcium absorption .
Kale and broccoli both seem to be good sources of calcium.
Bok choy seems to also be a good substitute for spinach.

It seems collared greens are also high on the list of vegetables that are high in calcium, but I'm not sure how often you can feed it to them.
Where I live we don't have collared greens at all so I'm not able to help there.

From what I understand you shouldn't give your lovebirds fruit everyday, rather just 2/3 times a week.
That's what I try to do with my own lovies.

 

[Monaco]

It sounds suspiciously like stroke symptoms. Maybe a small one? Especially if there was restricted circulation when he was stuck.

 

[Ripshod]

I think this little one needs to go back to the vet for a proper diagnosis.

 

[SkyPeepers]

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions. I was wondering if he may have had a stroke (maybe brought on from the blood loss.) He was so active and lively before. I seem to think he is depressed now because he can't fly. He used to fly all over the house before. He does flap his wings in the cage as if he is flying. He also seems mentally different too. I can't explain it, but he acts differently. Again, maybe it is depression. It was recommended that I take him to a specialist, but he is also very nervous now. I am afraid that the stress of taking him to the vet may be detrimental. So I was trying to figure out ways to help him myself.
I appreciate the advice about foods to feed. I was wondering if I was giving him to much apple. I would like to give him Harrisons pellets, but I do not think that he would eat them. I am going to try anyway. Thanks again everyone for your advice. It is greatly appreciated.

 

[sunnysmom]

You could also try some senior nutriberries. They have supplements aimed at helping older birds. @enigma731 may have some suggestions for you too. I hope he'll be okay.

 

[SkyPeepers]

That's a good idea! I didn't know they sold food for older birds. He just might eat something like that! I used to give my lovebirds Nutriberries years ago. I may have mentioned this before, but I am noticing that when I put the bird's cage in the sun in the morning/early afternoon that my little guy perks up quite a bit. I am going to try to stay hopeful that he improves with time. I just want him to be as happy & healthy as possible. If anyone wants to share what they do to keep their birds happy & healthy I would be very interested. Thanks again for all your help!