Oct 7, 2011 11:42:06 GMT
theswann
Normal Violet
Posts: 107
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Post by theswann on Oct 12, 2011 7:33:42 GMT
Hi everyone I could really use some advice and (hopefully!) reassurance. Swann is not herself. She hasn't been for a couple of days though I think is better than she was. I wonder if she had a night terror on Sunday night - when I went to uncover her in the morning she was freaked out and acting oddly, she sort of had a funny look in her eye almost. Ever since she hasn't really been eating seed at all - I am kicking myself, that same morning I STUPIDLY offered her a new variety (Vitacraft? It has dried fruits and clumps of millet in) whereas she is a Trill bird, always has been. I thought it would be a treat but don't think she has agreed. I went straight out and got some Trill but there's been only 1 unhusked seed in the pot in 36+ hours. She will eat greens and I had sprouted her some mung beans which she has had one or two of this morning from her food bowl. She seems to be drinking more than usual and will happily eat as much millet as I put in her cage, she just won't touch seed. Her poos were very watery, they are now getting more normal but there are far fewer than usual (presumably as she hasn't eaten much). I restrung her beloved dangly balls toy on Friday using sisal rather than the string that has been there. She was definitely attacking and chewing on the sisal knots over the weekend - could that be a factor? Was trying to do the right thing in using the sisal because I had read that it's far safer (we can't leave the plastic ball connectors in, she chews them so much am terrified she'll swallow one). Apart from initially being not herself on Monday morning, she is pretty much as normal - preening, talking, whistling, playing with her toys, chewing cuttlefish and iodine. She was fine flying last night - no different to usual really, cheeky and energetic. I have washed her bowls carefully and I do keep her cage clean. I wonder if her cage is drafty place as it's by the fireplace - we never use it but it is an open flue and there is quite a draw on it. But the house is warm and she was there all last winter without any adverse effects. I don't know where we could move her to - it's a teeny cottage and she has a big cage! One thing I am wondering about is if she is on her own too much during the day - whereas my OH was at home a LOT last academic year, we are both out more now and while I try to work from home as much as I can it's not always possible. We always leave her with the TV or radio on, a light if needs be etc. PLEASE please any advice, help very gratefully received. I am getting really worried though she seems better than she was. Thanks, Rachel PS she is actually a boy, we just got into the habit of calling her her, as she was sold as a baby as a girl...
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Post by barrieshutt on Oct 12, 2011 7:43:44 GMT
It think swanny may have had a minor seisure, this would have freaked him out but all seems well at the moment. If anything concerns you , such as the sisal, follow your instinct and remove it. Always have a small tub of guardian angel on hand , this is a super product and pick me up. www.birdcareco.com/English/Arts/Health%20arts/GA/ga.html
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Oct 7, 2011 11:42:06 GMT
theswann
Normal Violet
Posts: 107
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Post by theswann on Oct 12, 2011 8:07:15 GMT
Oh gosh If that's the case what is the outlook Barrie?? Doesn't sound good I don't know what we'd do without her now, I couldn't bear it if the worst was to happen. Would it possibly have been overnight? She had a night terror once that I know of - but was fine the following day, her normal self. Anything else I should be doing to help her? I think I'll remove the sisal, I was trying to do the right thing but it's bothering me and she never chewed the string I used before as I made sure it went through the balls rather than being knotted on the outside. I'll order some guardian angel right away, thank you for the recommendation. (S)he is sitting perky as you like chatting away to her cuttlefish at the moment (latest phrase is from Fawlty Towers 'Germans Fawlty? Bad eggs'...) with birdsong radio on in the background. Don't think she's eaten anything though.
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Post by sarah*glittergirl2212 on Oct 12, 2011 11:50:27 GMT
Try not to panic, you say she is pretty much her usual self regarding every aspect of her behaviour, it's just the eating that's changed if I read it right? If she is eating her millet and veg it's better than nothing for now at least. I'm sure she'll settle down again soon.
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Post by barrieshutt on Oct 12, 2011 13:14:38 GMT
Oh gosh If that's the case what is the outlook Barrie?? Doesn't sound good I don't know what we'd do without her now, I couldn't bear it if the worst was to happen. Would it possibly have been overnight? She had a night terror once that I know of - but was fine the following day, her normal self. Anything else I should be doing to help her? I think I'll remove the sisal, I was trying to do the right thing but it's bothering me and she never chewed the string I used before as I made sure it went through the balls rather than being knotted on the outside. I'll order some guardian angel right away, thank you for the recommendation. (S)he is sitting perky as you like chatting away to her cuttlefish at the moment (latest phrase is from Fawlty Towers 'Germans Fawlty? Bad eggs'...) with birdsong radio on in the background. Don't think she's eaten anything though. Do make sure you have a low wattage night light left on in the evening when you retire to bed...............if the bird can be affected by security or car lights during the night , dothen consider moving his cage......................night fright and a seisure would appear as one and the same .............i think i will go with night fright as the cause of his distress
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Oct 7, 2011 11:42:06 GMT
theswann
Normal Violet
Posts: 107
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Post by theswann on Oct 12, 2011 14:18:42 GMT
Sarah - yes, in all other ways (except the not eating seed) she is her usual self - chatty, lively, playing with toys, happy to fly about, talking, chirpy etc. Fingers crossed you're right and it's just a case of her settling down soon. Barrie - thank you. I'll bring a low wattage light down from upstairs for tonight and then might pop to Argos or something and get a nightlight tomorrow. I'll work on the assumption something scared her overnight on Sunday (yikes, poor little thing) and hopefully once she is settled down aagin she'll get back to seed. It's been very windy here and the students have been a bit rowdy at times in the street so maybe it was something like that. I haven't previously left a light on all night for her, I will do now. Her cage is usually completely covered, no gaps, with a brown cotton sheet - I was worried about drafts. Might it be better for something a little less 'all-encompassing' maybe? Agh, so hard to try to always do the right thing with these little guys eh? :/ Thanks again for your replies, very much appreciated
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Post by barrieshutt on Oct 12, 2011 14:32:50 GMT
My ideal cage position would be on line with my eyes, they get stressed when people are looking down with a gigantic appearance.
My cage would be in a corner as the birds feel more secure with their backs to the wall
The cage would be covered lightly over the top and sides at night
All my birds settle down to rest in the afternoons , the lights on the timer go off from 1.00pm until 4.00pm , this is needed and happens in the wild , how many pet owners offer their birds this facility
we can only do our best Rachel, no one even our birds expect any more than this.
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Oct 7, 2011 11:42:06 GMT
theswann
Normal Violet
Posts: 107
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Post by theswann on Oct 12, 2011 16:25:36 GMT
Thanks again Barrie. And for the kind reassurance - so want to do the best for her, she's such a character and I we love her to bits. The cage is in a corner, but probably slightly lower than ideal (though it is at eye-height when we're sat on the sofa...) She always settles down for a nap in the afternoon Don't blame them TBH, I would too given half a chance
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Oct 12, 2011 18:39:46 GMT
All my birds settle down to rest in the afternoons , the lights on the timer go off from 1.00pm until 4.00pm , this is needed and happens in the wild Are all lights switched off? What about that theory, offer breading birds 14 hours of daylight?
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Oct 7, 2011 11:42:06 GMT
theswann
Normal Violet
Posts: 107
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Post by theswann on Oct 12, 2011 20:25:59 GMT
we have been covering her over around 11pm when we go to bed, lights off. Then getting up around 7am when I uncover her, have a little chatter, change her food and fresh water. I am often up in the night and usually hear her moving about / little chirrups, but the lights are mainly off.
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Oct 7, 2011 11:42:06 GMT
theswann
Normal Violet
Posts: 107
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Post by theswann on Oct 13, 2011 11:52:26 GMT
I am at my wit's end - she still won't eat seed.
She'll go to the bowls and look in, then leave it. I've seen her have a couple of bits then she's off again. It's not like she's not interested - I put a bowl of oystergrit in there this morning and she was on it in a flash. And then ate masses of it, which worries me too - won't she get full up with that and that'll put her off even more?
Might the seed be 'off'? Am assuming they wouldn't touch it if it was? It's a new box of Trill and looks and smells absolutely fine though.
I have put an additional coop cup of seed in the cage too, and also a little shallow dish full on the floor, just in case that helps.
I wonder if I have just been soft with her and given her millet as I know she'll eat it. Then she doesn't go for the seed because she's either full (which I find hard to believe TBH) or she's being crafty and holding out for more millet?
Can a budgie live on just millet supplemented with fruits, vegs and some egg and a multivitamin?
She's still drinking quite a bit - more than usually.
I am beyond stressed, I really don't know what else I can do.
She still seems fine in herself, maybe not 100% normal but she's doing all of the normal things.
I guess it might have to be the vet but I am a bit reluctant in case it stresses her out (although she has always been pretty resilient and chilled out in unusual surroundings).
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Post by sarah*glittergirl2212 on Oct 13, 2011 13:51:06 GMT
It's such a worry for you... Is she still eating the millet? What about her poops, if they are still normal then she must be eating something surely? I hope she is ok I really do. I might be inclined to put some bits of millet in the seed dish to entice her to it- once there she may just tuck in normally. Try anything you can think of and I'll put my thinking cap on too and let you know if I have a eureka moment....
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,855
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Oct 13, 2011 13:53:59 GMT
I am wondering if she's wise to the fact that if she doesn't eat the seed, you'll come over and give her millet
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Oct 7, 2011 11:42:06 GMT
theswann
Normal Violet
Posts: 107
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Post by theswann on Oct 13, 2011 14:07:37 GMT
Thank you Sarah and Marianne. Sarah - she will tuck into the millet without hesitation and will even go down to the floor of the cage to look for escaped bits (and she is not a bottom dweller usually at all!) - funnily enough I have just left her with some clumpy bits of millet in her bowl Fingers and toes crossed. Her poos are okish, not as many as normal and they are a bit loose but she does normally tend that way anyway as she gets a green veg (or occasionally some fruit instead) pretty much every day. She was happily tucking in to some broccoli this morning. Please do let me know if you think of anything!! Marianne - yup, I actually wouldn't be surprised - I HOPE this is what it is!!! She is spoiled and would normally only get millet once a week Have ordered some Guardian Angel and some 'supaclean' seed mix... Could a lack of oystergrit be partly to blame - she attacked it this morning after I had done an early morning run to the pet shop like it was going out of fashion. I had taken the usual grit out several months ago after reading horror stories about impaction but hand on my heart, I hadn't realised that oystergrit was soluble and should definitely be available to them. Now I am terrified she'll have a tummy full of that and won't be 'hungry'! *face palm*
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Post by Hezz on Oct 14, 2011 1:03:56 GMT
How about putting some millet in a dish but covering it partly with seed? Or roll it in some honey and get the seed sticking to it? Make her work through seed to get to the millet. You wouldn't want her eating honey all the time but maybe just so see if it is just that she is being difficult, rather than sick. Otherwise the only other thing I would look at is a new box of Trill and see if that makes a difference.
Just to make a point, mine have always had a cuttlefish bone in their cage, but for ages never touched it. I ended up throwing it away and put in another and Smudge devoured it in a day, and since I have to give her one, if not two (small) ones a week! They can be funny little creatures.
Hope Swanny comes round soon, and is just trying you out rather than some underlying illness.
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