Oh no not Rocky !!

[chiprockskip]

I got up this morning and uncoverd them and for weeks i've been trying to help/nurse little Skipper the long and the short of it is Skipper's a special needs budgie, born with liver problems and cociquently under developed and recently started with some kind of stomach problems. So he's been getting alot of the attention. But this morning Rocky his best mate was all fluffed up and wouldent get off his swing. I had noticed that his feathers on his back have been raised on and off for a couple of days now and i've been putting it down to the heat. But i think its more than that, he's just sleeping i've not seen him drink or eat. He has moved to a different pearch but he's all fluffed up not just his back but his head, neck, chest and he's tucked his head into his back and sleeps. I've seperateted him and Skipper much to Skippers annoyance. The doors open and a window upstairs to give him a draft of air and the fans on to so he's kept as cool as possible but its still warm. I might try him with some carrott later but for now all he's doing is sleeping so i'll let him alone. I dont know what else to do, its Sunday so no vets but if he's still the same tomrrow we're off. If anyone has any suggestions thay'd be welcome as always. And Hezz if you see this i know you'd be able to suggest somthing but i wont be able to see your input till tomrrow but thanks anyway and thanks to anyone for reading this.

[chiprockskip]

Just to add a bit to that last post i know i said i'd put the fan on but you dont think its that thats done it do you ? Its been realy hot hear for the last few days and i've been putting the fan on for them, i mean its not blasting them but its nearby and whilst by no means is it on full and blowing there feathers around thay will be able to feel it as it moves there swing slightly if there not sat on it.I thought it'd help keep the air moving and cool them as Rocky if anything is a bit over weight. I know drafts can be bad for them but how bad ? even in this heat ? Its been up in the mid to high 20's for a few days now. And the fans been on most afternoons when its been realy at its hottest but off at night and the mornings. I know there from the tropics but mine arnt used to the heat. I do so hope i've not made another stupid mistake through ignorance. So fan on or off ? please help, thanks.

[budgiefriend]

Sorry I do not have an answer for you. Keeping Rocky quiet is important, especially when it is so hot. I just want to let you know my very best thoughts and prayers are with you and Rocky. He is much too cute to be sick.

[chiprockskip]

Thank you for that Budgiefriend, i'm getting quite worried about him now apart from one move of pearch sometime this morning he's not moved all day. He's still asleep and to my horror i've just noticed there's no poop under him that can't be good. The poor littie chaps had nothing to eat or drink all day. This is so bad there's nothing i can do but sit watching him and i know that every hour that passes his chances are getting slimer. I could kick myself because i'd noticed he'd stopped talking a few days ago but i keep putting it down to the hot weather. Its the only thing thats changed. Ha i heard a squark be back soon

[chiprockskip]

No must have been Skipper he's a bit fed up with being kept in his own cage he so wants to be with Rocky. Oh Rocky Rocky rock dont you go and leave me little mate.

[ffiscool]

I am so sorry that Rocky isnt well and I hope he pulls through. If you offer him water on a spoon do you think he might take it? definitely keeping him quiet is the best you can do until you can sort the vet tomorrow.

I hope we hear some better news from you on the next post..

[chiprockskip]

Pheww...ish panic over...for now, i dont know, about maybe an hour ago Rocky woke up he came to me and i gave him a drink he was a bit unstedy but then he's been asleep for nearly 24hrs. I've put him back in his cage he sat for a while then jumped to the floor of his cage and started rooting around for seeds (i dont know why because he's got a pot full right next to him) right now he's had another long drink and he's now tucking into the millet. Skippers realy pleased and keeps trying to get in but i'm keeping them apart for now. I'm still cocerned about the lack of poo and poor old Rockys still fluffed up, the feathers on his back are standig up so much that he can't fold his wings in properly. But at least he's eating and drinking so my plan is early to bed then off to the vets tomrrow. And i'll keep you posted and as useuall thanks for reading this (maybe your prayers did the trick budgiefriend lets hope so eh) it realy helps me writing on hear especialy during todays crisis thanks.

[birdguhl]

Oh dear, I feel for you - you've been doing a great job for Skipper and now this worry about Rocky We're rooting for him here. Sounds like a vet visit is def in order but good that he's eating and drinking. Fingers and wings crossed for you both. Don't beat yourself up - you obviously care greatly for your buds Hope you all get reasonable sleep.

[budgiefriend]

We will keep on praying for you and Rocky. He is a real fighter. Eating and drinking is a good sign. Hope the vet has a solution.

[chiprockskip]

Morning now ! I've changed there seeds and water Skippers fine but Rockys asleep wont wake up ! Well he had a little strech and then head in his back and back to sleep. I dont know if i should pick him up and put the water in front of him or just leave him. I've made an appointment with the vet but its not with either of the more savy bird guys first one of them's not available till Wednesday and he needs to see someone today so we've got a box standard vet i hope that'll be enough or more to the point i hope thay'll know enough. We're just waiting now, 2hrs till our appointment . Poor Rocky out of them all dispite his name he's the most shy and gentle one he'll hate the vets the taxi there and being handled. Its at times like this when everythings out of your hands that you feel most helpless and guilty THREE DAYS AGO i noticed he'd stoped singing and talking THREE DAY AGO i'd noticed the feathers on his back were raised, and i put it all down to the heat. Maybe it is, there's some poo in his cage but not alot and i've noticed the feathers around his bottom look abit stringy, again i dont know what that means only its not normal. All stuff to tell the vet i suppose. Rocky rock rocker i think the best way to discribe him is quietly remarkable he's not an in your face bird like chippy was. Chippy was "WHATS THIS" "WHATS THAT" Weeeee. Kind of bird and Rockys more of a "If everyones finished do you mind if i have a go". He's a good bird is Rocky and i'll do my best for him. Thanks for listening to my ramble its helpeed pass a little time i'd better go book a taxi now and i'll post when we get back.

[chiprockskip]

Just a quick one before we go. He's woken up and has had a drink and a little millet now he's routing on the cage floor again this is a little strange but i'm happy thay he's had a drink and some seeds see you when we get back.

[mizloco]

Good luck

[chiprockskip]

Okay we're back now and first of all i dont need to worry about the lack of poo anymore as my now not so trendy white t-shirt will prove and that was before we'd left the house. Anyway other than that he's been as good as gold for a sick bird, i dont mind the poo on my shirt co's at least he's doing some. Bad news is that its slopy and dark green, i dont know what it means but its not like normal sill there was some to show the vet. Who despite not being an avian vet seemed okay he had a look and a listen to his heart (i dont know why co's i could have told him it'd be going like a fire gong and it was). Then he anounced that Rockys got an infection he wasnt specific but gave him some protexin however he's been on that all along as its part of the soup that i mix up for Skipper every morning. And then some Baytril solution to add to his water thats the stuff i'm banking on i think its an antibiotic. More good news though he's perked up a little already he's drank some of his new med's, quite alot realy and he's eaten some more millet, i even turned my back and found him down on the floor routing around. I still dont get that co's there's seed and millet in his cage unless he knows its cooler lower down. And thats it for now he's still poorly and fluffed up but a little more livey so thats good The vet says he'd hope for a change in 48-72hrs personly i'd hope for somthing sooner than that but i'll take anything as long as he gets better. Thanks for reading this i'll let you know what tomrrow brings

[jean20057]

Oh, Chip, I do hope that Rocky starts to feel better. I dealt with this type of nightmare back in late March and early April. Unfortunately my poor little Holly didn't recover. I sincerely feel for you and you and Rocky will be in our prayers. I hope the Baytril works out for him. So glad that he's drinking the medies water.

Also, I know it may seem a little contradictory to common sense, but try a heating blanket. There's a reason he's fluffed. They tend to slim down when they're too hot. They poof when they're too cold. Typically. A heating lamp is also a good idea. Put it on and aim it at one side of the cage, that way if he gets too hot, he can move away. When he gets too hot, he will hold his wings away from his body. I almost hate being able to say all this, because is it wasn't for Holly getting so sick, I wouldn't even know half as much as I do. I can see that you love and care for your companion in a way that only fellow budgie owners will ever know. You're a good budgie dad. Taking him to the vet today was probably the smartest thing you could have done. Anyway, I wanted to wish you the best of luck with this horrible situation. I truly do feel for you, and if you need to talk, give me a shout. Good luck!!!

-Kristen

[tinksmum]

Hi,
You mentioned in your original post that you had the fan on & windows open? im wondering if little Rocky could have caught a chill, as house birds try your best to keep them out of drafts, birds have their own way of cooling themselves, pulling their feathers tight & holding their wings back & open away from their body.

Im no vet & many here are far more experienced than myself, but the cool air/drafts is something to avoid.

Fingers crossed that Rocky will improve very soon & be back to himself. You are doing your best for him.

A tip i was given on here was to also give weak tepid black tea, it has antibiotic properties for buds.