Growling sounds coming from my lovebird's stomach

[sierra]

Hi,
Do you have any idea what produces these growling sounds in my lovebird's stomach? Is this normal? Could this be some illness? My lovebird is about 4 years old and the sounds started to get loud about a few months ago. He eats anything and is free to fly in my home.

[liz]

It doesn't sound good. It must be pretty bad for you to here it in a tiny bird.

Have you changed his diet? What do his poopers look like? How active is he? Ha his personality changed any?

The sounds must be coming from his intestines. If it has gotten worse and no changes have been made to his diet, I would take him to the vet. I guess birds can get parasites like other animals though I don't know where he could have gotten them except in his food. I would have him checked before it got worse.

Welcome to the forum.

[viki]

a bird can get worms too and other paracites and what i know about worms is they eat the food in ur intestines which can make u feel sick and make u always hngry. does she eat more then usual? the only way to be sure is if u take her to the vet

[escouve]

I've heard of protozoan parasites causing this sort of symptom: a long-term infestation is serious and can cause permanent damage to the lining of the intestines.

But, whatever it is, if it's been happening for over four months it sounds like an entrenched problem that you need veterinary help to resolve.

[sierra]

Well, the diet consists of seeds, oats, millet, bisquits for humans (with milk and cereals in them), fruits and vegetables like apple, carrot, watermellon, grapes, potatoes, rice, tomato, dill, parsley and so on. A few months ago he refused to eat his seeds and millet so we had to let him choose what he likes to eat, that’s why we included the bisquits and other things.

Poop looks perfect, but he vomits from time to time, say once in two months and it’s vomitting, not regurgitating.

I talked to the vet and she told me to come back after two weeks so she can research this issue and find the appropriate analyzes to make. I also had two budgies who died recently (the female had a tumor, while the male had a 4-year old crop dilatation). So I’m thinking in the Avian Boravirus or parasites.

The behavior is changed in that he is more nervous/anxious than usual, but I believe this is related to the fact that he is single. He doesn’t eat more than usual. The growling sounds can be heard once a day or once in two days and the problem started about 4-5 months ago.

[liz]

Why are you letting this drag on? Any vet that says come back in 2 weeks while he researches it is a quack.

Get that bird to a different vet. A few days of illness can kill a bird. Do you care?

[sierra]

Why are you letting this drag on? Any vet that says come back in 2 weeks while he researches it is a quack.

Get that bird to a different vet. A few days of illness can kill a bird. Do you care?

All the vets are the same. They don't have all the analyses kits in their labs and they don't perform analyses on small parrots, at least in Romania.
Try to call a vet where you live and ask how you can make some analyses for your Agapornis. I'm curious about what he'll say.

[liz]

If nothing else - use an online vet. Or go online and find a vet in your country that can take care of him. If I had a sick baby I would travel multiple states to get a good doctor.

I traveled 500 miles round trip just to resue Myrtle. I would travel many times that distance if she was sick.

[escouve]

There's not always an easy answer to medical problems (or processes) and sometimes these things take time. A long trip is not necessarily going to yield any better results, but it probably would add stress to the bird's already compromised system.

Sierra: it sounds like you're putting thought into your decisions and researching your options, which is the real mark of a conscientious owner.

(Also, I've had my own GPs and medical specialists ask for similar time periods, and longer, for research. It's not unusual or unethical: better an informed than a hasty diagnosis, particularly with small birds, who can respond very quickly and violently to inappropriate treatment. Of course Sierra cares about her bird; we all care about our birds, that's why we're here; and any intimation to the contrary is frankly offensive.)

There's really no suggestion I can make that you haven't thought of already, I'm sure. The person who knows your bird best is you; so continue to observe. If any particular foods are aggravating, try to replace them; and watch for signs of agitation, as your bird may be a little confused and seek reassurance through interaction with you.

Good luck! Please let us know what the vet comes back with; could be useful info.

[viki]

dnt u know that birds cant have milk...stop giving them...take her to the vet u could have caused irreversible damage to her gut and she may need to b on a special diet for that...the only answer is vet so stop lookin gor another one.
i learned recently that u may think ur showing r bird u love her by letting her do certain thing u wud do or u wud like her to do, but really ur putting her in harms way, a little bird is more fragile then u may think and she needs to b treated that way. Thats how u really love ur bird.
after all would u let ur kid drink wine just coz it tastes good??? its the same for a bird and most human foods...cop on and be good