We´re home from the vet - Adélie can´t fly

[Zara]

I´ve taken Adé to the vet today. She seems fine, and ¨normal¨ but she isn´t able to fly. With her having a bad foot, it means she can´t get around her cage well at all (I moved her into a flight cage last Christmas). On saturday I had seen her getting around the cage fine, fluttering from perch to perch ok and getting on and off the platform swing she loves (She laid an egg from there), but yesterday she was trying to get up there and was struggling, so I put a small teatowel in the lower corner for her and a small water bowl and food, and hoped she would bounce back, but this morning I got her out, and she´s the same, no ability to fly.

Vet has given her an anti-inflamatory and liquid calcium + vitamins - he thinks she just needs a boost after the egg, even though she is a good eater and loves her veggies.
He gave me meds to give her later today and every morning night for a few days.
Weight is down to 44g, a few g lower than usual.
He has said if she is worse, or weighs less tomorrow evening, to bring her back.
Also, he checked her wings for cuts, damage, bruises and said they looked fine.

She´s back in her cage now. Sydney is taking good care of her, feeding her and keeping her warm.

Don´t pity her, she is a tough cookie, and I´m sure she´ll be fine. She just needs a little helping hand from her vet is all

Here she is on the way home,

 

[BirdWorld]

Aww such a sweet girl, hope she gets back to flying soon!

 

[Kassiani]

Sweet girl!! She is being well cared for, and I’m sure she’ll be right as rain very soon

 

[Greylady1966]

She's adorable..

 

[sunnysmom]

I hope she's better soon.

 

[Tiel Feathers]

Aw, she’s so cute! I hope she feels better soon.

 

[Zara]

Does anyone know anyone who has had this happen before?
I don´t know what to expect RE her flight. It´s bothering me, though I´m trying to be as positive as possible.
I´m just hoping and wishing it comes back soon.

 

[rosemary]

Can't offer any advise, but I pray that she regains her strenth and health!

 

[CrazyKozmo]

Hope she feels better soon!!

 

[tka]

Crossing everything for her! She's such a determined little bird.

 

[Toy]

Egg laying can really strip a bird of calcium, which can cause muscle weakness, muscle pain, etc.. I'd suggest anyone breeding birds, or having a female that lays eggs, keep liquid calcium on hand. Often they need a bit more than veggies can provide. Hopefully the liquid calcium will help & she'll be able to fly again soon.

A good article explaining egg laying & low calcium in parrots: Egg Laying, Egg Binding, and Low Calcium

I've had a Purple Martin colony every year, since 1997. I save, bake & feed them crushed eggshells. Most Purple Martin landlords do this for a couple reasons....to help the female develop good eggs & avoid egg binding...to support the female after egg laying. Parents will feed the crushed shells to chicks usually starting around week 3, so it supports good bone growth, etc.. I place a cup or two in a upside down Frizbee attached to the top of my clothesline post. They land, eat some, take some to their chicks. A few times I've found very tiny fresh water clam shells in nests. The point being...egg laying is hard on the females & can strip them of much needed calcium levels. By offering eggshells to these wild birds, that have trouble finding calcium in nature anymore, it helps prevent any issues.

Also if a bird is low in Vitamin D they can't absorb calcium. Sunlight is best, but if you can't get them natural sunlight then UV light is the 2nd option. Pellets with vitamin D is also very beneficial.

 

[fluffypoptarts]

Aww, baby girl!! I hope those flappers get back to being fully functional soon!

 

[Hermesbird]

I hope she feels better soon! Sending hugs for her to feel better

 

[BirdWorld]

How about feeding boiled smashed egg? I've heard it's a great source of calcium and my birds love it. Leafy greens also have calcium.

 

[webchirp]

Feel better baby bird...so stressful when they don't feel well.

 

[Momo & Mido]

Poor little girl! I hope she gets better soon. Luckily she has you and Sydney on her side!
Sending all my love

 

[rockoko]

Feel better soon Adelie!

 

[Zara]

or having a female that lays eggs, keep liquid calcium on hand

I think I definitely will from now on.
She only laid one egg and she got like this. I can´t remember her prev. eggs, but they were a while back.

Sunlight is best

The cage is next to the patio doors, I open the door and push it in the sunlight in the early afternoon.

Leafy greens also have calcium.

She loves her veggies. I also give a pinch of sesame seeds on top of the veggies every few days or so.
Yesterday I put the veggie bowl in her cage next to her and she didn´t even get up to check it out, so I knew something was wrong. Sydney ate some and he fed her, but still.

I think if she´s not getting better at flying nearer the end of the week, I´ll take her back for a check up. She can´t even do short flights, she´s falling like a sack of potatoes, she can´t get up off the ground well.

 

[Ripshod]

I hope Adélie finds her wings again soon. With your stories about her earlier life I think we all share a vested interest in her and share your concern.

 

[Jas]

Hope she feels better soon!