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Post by Hezz on Nov 16, 2011 2:28:57 GMT
I had my (Smudge's )appointment this morning with the vet, and took Blue along too. She had actually rung yesterday afternoon to ask how he was getting on. And yes, as I suspected, Smudge is developing lipomas on her chest, so a radical re-think on the birds' diet and exercise routine. Smudge has always been a lazy flier, so many more launches down the hallway for her! Someone on the old forum was treating a budgie with liver problems with herbal remedies, but I can't for the life of me think who. Does any one remember who it was and what they were using? Blue is coming along as best as we can expect, nearly at the end of the baytril, and about to start on another water supplement hopefully will improve the condition of his liver. Does anyone have their own methods of keeping weight off their birds that they would like to share? They have plenty of out-flying time but seem to spend most of it sitting around nattering like a group of old grannies with their cups of tea and digestives. Needless to say, there won't be so much of that happening.
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Post by barrieshutt on Nov 16, 2011 7:01:49 GMT
Nat might have the info you want Hezz
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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 Nov 16, 2011 9:08:16 GMT
Sweetpea and Tacey might be able to help you. My Jerry has liver problems too and I give my birds Avi-Chol every so often which seems to help. I know that some use Milk Thistle too
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Post by Hezz on Nov 17, 2011 1:56:15 GMT
Thanks Barrie and Marianne. I have today bought a bag of wheat to sprout myself. Wheatgrass, milk-thistle and dandelion seem to be the most common, but I found a lot of info about a product containing all three plus aloe, which has been given lots of positive results in the States. It looks like I will be able to ship this in too so will have the computer maestro home in a day or two and will order it then. I am quite excited to see where we end up with all this. The worst scenario is that it won't work fast enough to help Bluey, but the other two will be healthier and any (many) more in the years to come.
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Post by stace on Nov 17, 2011 2:04:09 GMT
Thanks Barrie and Marianne. I have today bought a bag of wheat to sprout myself. Wheatgrass, milk-thistle and dandelion seem to be the most common, but I found a lot of info about a product containing all three plus aloe, which has been given lots of positive results in the States. It looks like I will be able to ship this in too so will have the computer maestro home in a day or two and will order it then. I am quite excited to see where we end up with all this. The worst scenario is that it won't work fast enough to help Bluey, but the other two will be healthier and any (many) more in the years to come. What's the product, Hezz? I'd be interesting in checking it out, too.
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Post by budgiefriend on Nov 17, 2011 4:38:30 GMT
I give my birds Herb Salad purchased at www.twinbeaksaviary.com. They love it. I trust that they eat what they need and that it is helping them stay healthy. Has anyone else used this products?
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Post by Hezz on Nov 17, 2011 7:33:07 GMT
That sounds great too, BF. I will look into that as well. Thank you!
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Oct 12, 2011 9:03:44 GMT
starling
Normal Violet
Posts: 182
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Post by starling on Nov 17, 2011 14:05:52 GMT
I'm sorry to hear your birds have been unwell hezz. I have no experience of liver/fitness problems, so I can't give you any advice, unfortunately. My birds used to be very active but now tend to just sit around chattering and napping. They're 3-4 years old now, so I'm not sure if it's just an age thing.
Could you split up your bird area so that the playgym is away from the cage? So that they have to fly to the gym (maybe for treats) and back to the cage for food/drink/sleep.
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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 Nov 17, 2011 18:47:17 GMT
I'm sorry to hear your birds have been unwell hezz. I have no experience of liver/fitness problems, so I can't give you any advice, unfortunately. My birds used to be very active but now tend to just sit around chattering and napping. They're 3-4 years old now, so I'm not sure if it's just an age thing. Could you split up your bird area so that the playgym is away from the cage? So that they have to fly to the gym (maybe for treats) and back to the cage for food/drink/sleep. 3-4 isn't old at all. I have some that are 4-5 and they are very lively!
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Post by Hezz on Nov 18, 2011 1:13:49 GMT
I'm sorry to hear your birds have been unwell hezz. I have no experience of liver/fitness problems, so I can't give you any advice, unfortunately. My birds used to be very active but now tend to just sit around chattering and napping. They're 3-4 years old now, so I'm not sure if it's just an age thing. Could you split up your bird area so that the playgym is away from the cage? So that they have to fly to the gym (maybe for treats) and back to the cage for food/drink/sleep. I have tried that Starling. The problem with that is that I have nowhere high where I can put the gym. I have tried setting it up on a coffee table and on a timber chest but they are too low for the birds' comfort. It used to be on top of the cage which is about 5' off the floor. I am thinking I will have to build them another more tree-like thing that is free-standing (something like a coat/hat stand). That is going to take up space I am not sure I am going to be allowed to have without a fight. I have been wheeling the cage right into the other side of the house this week and they have been geting more exercise that way because they want to sit on the louvres in the kitchen which is where the cage normally is. Plus Smudge is being launched across the room (big room ) or down the hall as many times as I have time for. Sparky comes too, just because he can!
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Oct 12, 2011 9:03:44 GMT
starling
Normal Violet
Posts: 182
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Post by starling on Nov 21, 2011 12:24:19 GMT
3-4 isn't old at all. I have some that are 4-5 and they are very lively! I know it isn't old (I had one for 13 years and she was fit and lively until the very end!), but according to the average lifespan, which seems to be around 7 years, 3-4 is about middle-aged.
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Oct 12, 2011 9:03:44 GMT
starling
Normal Violet
Posts: 182
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Post by starling on Nov 21, 2011 12:32:52 GMT
I am thinking I will have to build them another more tree-like thing that is free-standing (something like a coat/hat stand). That is going to take up space I am not sure I am going to be allowed to have without a fight. I posted a pic of my tree that I made in the cage set-up thread. It was really easy to make. I know what you mean about space though. I had to give my birds a whole room for themselves as they were slowly destroying my living room. I don't mind though as I live alone and don't need all of the space I have. You seem to be giving them plenty of exercise anyway though (launching them!).
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Post by Hezz on Nov 22, 2011 1:52:59 GMT
I have been having trouble getting hold of milk thistle in any form except capsules/tablets, so yesterday I ground up a couple of tablets and mixed this in with Blue's eggfood. He didn't seem to mind it, in fact I saw him having another go at it after I left it in his cage. But this morning I did track down some seeds, so this afternoon will be the test. They are actually budgie-sized seeds, I wonder if he would eat them as is? But I will grind up the seeds and add these to his eggfood. The wheatgrass got started on the weekend, so it will be a little while before I can serve that up, but the sprouted seeds are being ignored rather - a chew or two but that's all.
I am thinking I will have to build them another more tree-like thing that is free-standing (something like a coat/hat stand). That is going to take up space I am not sure I am going to be allowed to have without a fight.
I posted a pic of my tree that I made in the cage set-up thread. It was really easy to make. I know what you mean about space though. I had to give my birds a whole room for themselves as they were slowly destroying my living room. I don't mind though as I live alone and don't need all of the space I have. You seem to be giving them plenty of exercise anyway though (launching them!). Thanks Starling I will have a look.
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