Bird in Bottom of Cage [IMMEDIATE RESPONSE PLEASE]

[urpap]

Hi,

I have 2 parrots, a cockatial and an IRN. I just looked back at the cage and saw that my IRN (Charlie) was sitting at the bottom of the cage. I know that this is a sign of illness, because he has never done this before. He also suddenly became inactive. I researched a bit, and put him in a warmer room than he already was in. I have no vets where I live, is there anything I can do to help my bird? Please help Charlie!!

Thank You so much!!

[Michael]

Yes, go to some place where there is a vet. That's all you can do.

[urpap]

Yes, go to some place where there is a vet. That's all you can do.

What's the least I can do? There are no parrot/bird vets anywhere around here where I live. There must be something that could help!

[Pajarita]

You can keep him quiet and warm. Put his cage in a quiet spot and cover it on all sides but one (the front) which should be exposed to light. Put a warming pad at the bottom (I cover them with newspaper so they don't get poop on them) and a thermometer inside the cage, it should be between 85 and 90 degrees. Check the poop (quantity, consistency, color), his breathing (labored, hitching, gasping), listen to his chest by putting it on your ear (is there a crackling or ticking sound), his body (feel the keel bone, look for discharge, lumps, etc), observe his perching (too low, normal movements?), does he appear disoriented? Is he star-gazing (when the head is thrown back)? Can he move/walk/sleep normally?

These details might give you an insight into what is happening but I might as well tell you that by the time birds go to ground, they are VERY sick so you need to take that bird to an avian vet even if you have to drive hours for it.

[William]

My bird sometimes goes to the bottom of the cage when he wants to come out but he isn't down there long, and he is still very active. If he is on the bottom of the cage for just a little while then it probably isn't a big deal, but if he is down there all day with his feathers fluffed up then he is most likely sick. Try to find some kind of avian vet even if it is far away, or maybe find somebody in a pet shop or something that knows about birds and can maybe help him out.

I'm so sorry and I really hope that your birdy will be okay. I'm sure he'll get better soon.

[urpap]

Hey,

I finally found a avian vet. I never ever saw this place before, it has a huge pet shop and a huge clinic as well. So I took Charlie there, I was given some antibiotics and multivitamins, as well as some advice. The facility was great! Charlie is still very weak, he has to struggle a lot just to get on his perch. I feel so bad for him, I hope he will recover soon. He is also put in a much warmer room, the vet said tha he had problems in his respiratory system and caught a cold.

Thank You guys so much, I will post more updates on Charlie soon!

[Pajarita]

Don't forget to keep him VERY warm, give him food rich in beta-carotene (they need it to manufacture vit A which they need to make the phlegm that cleans their respiratory system) and to give him probiotics after the antibiotic treatment. And let us know if we can be of further help.

[William]

That's great that you got some help!