Apr 7, 2013 19:31:00 GMT
itchybear
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 72
|
Post by itchybear on Nov 9, 2013 10:52:10 GMT
Thanks birdguhl, so you ground them up? I had been putting a sprinkling of the sample pack of Harrison's from vet in their seed and I *think* they were eating them! but maybe ground up is the way forward She's not looking great today, just fluffed up and head in shoulders. I've moved some food up to make it easier for her to get to. The lamp is due Monday, we have the uv bulb already. I'm going to ring a few pet shops to see if they have some guardian angel in the meantime, Called vets, avian guy is off today, back Monday. My partner isn't feeling that much confidence as vets hasn't made much difference and with the last lot sprinkling over food, he wasn't convinced how much meds she's actually been getting .... But I can't watch her just sitting there seemingly getting more poorly ....
|
|
|
Post by birdguhl on Nov 10, 2013 10:36:47 GMT
HOw is she today? I sympathise with the misery of having a sick bird and feeling that things are not coming right - been there too.
Yes, I ground the pellets up.
Re getting meds in - this does sound too hit and miss - have you tried only making a really small amount of food available so that she has to eat the meds too? That's where germinated seeds as standard is handy - it is easier to make sure that they eat up supplements etc with them as they (well, mine at least) eat every last one and you can put powder or liquid onto them. Having said that, when mine have needed antibiotics etc they are caught and droppered into beak. Even that can feel pretty hit and miss as it is difficult to get it in there and sometimes you can see them flick it out as soon as you let them go. Breeders etc crop feed meds but this is strictly for the competent.
Re the lamp, I use my UV bulb in an ordinary cheap thing from Ikea (floor standing - think it was £9). If you're getting one of the bird lamp types, get along to Pets at Home or similar and buy a couple of heat bulbs in reptile section for about £4 each as these are great for keeping an ill bud toasty. I also have a proper infrared one (slightly more expensive) so that they can have heat at night without the light.
|
|
Apr 7, 2013 19:31:00 GMT
itchybear
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 72
|
Post by itchybear on Nov 10, 2013 12:10:00 GMT
Thanks birdguhl! She is definitely still poorly, but I'm pleased to say my bf texted me when I was out yest saying yes she needs the vet Mon or Tues, so I called and we're booked for mon eve. She's a little less wheezy today but still fluffed and feeling sorry for herself. Just sleeping in the corner. My bf made a great suggestion - we had a little feeder which hangs onto side of cage. Their usual feeding pots are on the bottom of the cage which I think makes them feel more vulnerable when feeding. So just to make it easier for her, we've put that feeder in, which had seed mixed with Harrison's pellets yesterday, and this morning, germinated seeds. Trouble is Lenny keeps moving here out of the way . But then she's gone to the floor pots and has been really eating a lot, which now I know it's Harrison's, I'm feeling hopeful! Yes we'll be asking vet for meds which we can administer by drop again if possible just while we improve her surroundings and food, etc. the lamp is from ikea, being delivered tomorrow. Great tip on heat bulbs, thank you. It just feels that waiting for tomorrow morning seems a very long way away right now, but I'm really glad she's not wheezing as much at the moment. We've moved them nearer our heater at the moment (not too close) and they're nearer a window which gets more light at this time of year than the window they were next to before. They seemed happier there yesterday, so keeping them there for now.
|
|
|
Post by birdguhl on Nov 10, 2013 12:40:10 GMT
That sounds good. What's her name?
Re food - good that she's eating. If you keep putting in small amounts and put a bit of clean paper around the dish you can get a good idea if she is eating everything or just picking out certain things and discarding the rest.
Is she drinking as well?
What are her droppings like? If you're going to the vet, it would be worth putting in clean paper under them so that you can take this along and show droppings to the vet.
Re the lamp - good. With the heat bulbs I think it is recommended to use special lamp with wide metal shade. I have a couple as I have had two lots of poorly buds in two different rooms in the past. I think they cost about £20.
One last question - is your vet an avian vet? Or at least experienced with birds? If not, I would recommended taking a look at the thread listing avian vets and see if you can't find one within reach.
Fingers crossed she continues to hold her own today and tmw!
|
|
Apr 7, 2013 19:31:00 GMT
itchybear
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 72
|
Post by itchybear on Nov 10, 2013 17:45:24 GMT
She's called Maggie She seems to definitely be eating but not spotted her drinking too much, mind you they do it when I'm not looking a lot! I do need to do the paper thing, Lenny definitely seems to be monopolising the newly located feeder he must be lazy as we put it up for her with less energy, cheeky boy he is! Not so sure on the droppings, about to clean cage and will put some white paper where she seems to be resting a lot at the moment for vet tomorrow. Yes he is an avian specialist, mad about birds! When I spoke to the nurse yesterday and mentioned she's still not better, she said she'll put me for a longer appt for a full bird work up, so think they'll be doing the full tests. Plus he'll have some fresh ones, she always poops in the travel cage! Thanks for lamp advice, definitely look at those too
|
|
|
Post by ffiscool on Nov 10, 2013 17:53:37 GMT
Good luck at the vet
|
|
Apr 7, 2013 19:31:00 GMT
itchybear
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 72
|
Post by itchybear on Nov 10, 2013 18:45:12 GMT
Thank you. She's just had the worst sneezing fit, terrified me! It's only tomorrow, will let you know.
|
|
|
Post by ffiscool on Nov 10, 2013 18:58:33 GMT
Yes, please do.
|
|
|
Post by birdguhl on Nov 10, 2013 22:43:48 GMT
You're doing great for Maggie! Hope she's settled down after the sneezing fit. Me and my boys are wishing you all the best for a productive visit tomorrow and getting her firmly back on the road to health and happiness with Lenny.
|
|
Apr 7, 2013 19:31:00 GMT
itchybear
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 72
|
Post by itchybear on Nov 11, 2013 21:29:02 GMT
Hi both! I'm pleased to say she's doing ok. The wheezing had increased because that medicine which was curing that had ran out, we have a months worth of that now. She has psittacosis, apparently could be fatal to us. But we would know well enough in advance (and joked if we start tweeting to call the doc ) Vet thinks she's put on weight though and that's an improvement, he was happy we'd got the bulb and lamp came today, it's on now plus the Harrison's food pellets & germinating seeds, and very happy we bought some F10, so all in all, it's not as bad as I was worried but constant wheezing and sneezing was quite scary! Birdguhl, how far away do you have your UV lamp and on for how long a day? I want to thank you for your help, it's really appreciated
|
|
|
Post by ffiscool on Nov 11, 2013 21:33:20 GMT
That's sounding promising! How long does it take to go away and how do they get that? Viral?
|
|
Apr 7, 2013 19:31:00 GMT
itchybear
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 72
|
Post by itchybear on Nov 12, 2013 21:15:46 GMT
I think he said a months worth of treatment, so with her two weeks plus an extra 24 days, she should be set. He explained to both of us how the water treatment works, it is designed knowing that birds don't drink much, so it is worked out in ratio. They both keep eating lots now, which is good. Especially as I know its the healthier stuff! Not sure where she got it from as they've not seen any other birds and not really been anywhere. I think last time we saw him, he said they can carry a disease for a while, so could have had it from pet shop we bought them from and it does't always show in symptoms until they fully become unwell. So I really don't know. I didn't mix any dry seed in with the germinated and red pepper tonight... not much interest there! fussy buds!
|
|
|
Post by birdguhl on Nov 12, 2013 21:30:42 GMT
Really good to hear that Maggie is doing better. Psittocosis - not a nice thing and yes, watch yourselves too. I hope that with all that you are doing she's on the right road.
Re lamp, mine is about 12-18 inches from where they all tend to gather and I have it on for about 6 hours a day. Of course they are not that near it for all that time. I don't really know how much they end up getting but hopefully they kind of know they need it and do a bit of 'sunbathing' every day.
I need a new bulb though, so it may be that they are not getting much benefit now.
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Nov 13, 2013 0:53:42 GMT
Glad to know you at least have something to aim for. Are both birds being treated, being a contagious disease? So good to hear Maggie is at least feeling better.
|
|
Apr 7, 2013 19:31:00 GMT
itchybear
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 72
|
Post by itchybear on Nov 17, 2013 11:04:06 GMT
Hi Hezz, yes they're both being treated, medicine is I their drinking water and I hadn't separated them. I noticed the other day they were both seemingly eating all the time, even really late at night, but it think where I had reduced seed and put in pellets, they were avoiding pellets and trying to find seed. So I got a little paranoid and have upped their seed now along with ground up Harrison's pellets (thanks birdguhl) so they get use to the taste. I think I'm slowly going to add in some whole pellets to the ground and seed, then reduce their seed that way. It's like feeding fussy children lol! hiding thei veg in their dinners. I'm pleased to report after almost 5 days of meds again, she is not fluffed up in the corner, she is less wheezy at night. Was wheezy yesterday evening but didn't seem to be suffering too much from it. I remember the vet saying she was not wheezing from the lungs. Oh they are loving the bulb! I can't praise it's effects enough. I hope all your buds are well! Thanks for your help, I'm still very much learning! Even after just a year.
|
|