Gaevren

Thank you all so much for your kind words. We only had him for a week before he got sick but we were very attached to him nonetheless. I was more concerned about my daughters and how they would react. They had a lot of tears of course, but I explained what happened in terms they could understand- that we didn't do anything wrong to make him sick, he just got some bad germs out of the air and couldn't get rid of them. Also that birds, when they get sick, get sick BAD. It's not like us getting a cold, birds are much more delicate. I think it really helped them. They would like to get another bird, so at least this hasn't scared them away from that. I think we'll wait a few weeks though.

Spike passed away about 30 minutes ago. He had a perfect bill of health coming from the bird shop so I don't think they or I are at fault- just seems to be one of those freak things. Since we did everything we could the shop has offered us another tiel at no charge but I don't know yet if I will take them up on that. Just hurts so much right now. Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts.

Another update: Spike stayed at the vet's over the weekend (they board animals in general plus those who need sick care). Today I was supposed to pick him up in the afternoon. They called with some not so good news around lunchtime though. He had gotten worse over the weekend. They had found out what the bacteria was that was making him sick. I don't remember what it was called but it was like us getting strep throat or a virus as opposed to a yeast infection or something- meaning it was a bug he picked up from an outside source as opposed to naturally occurring bird bacteria. And they don't know if it was a primary infection or a secondary infection. We're waiting for fungal test results but right now there's no indication that it's anything like that either. On the upside, I discussed pretty extensively what we'd been doing with and for Spike, in terms of hygeine, food, cage, and care, and she reaffirmed what you guys have said- it wasn't anything we did or didn't do that caused this infection. And the other birds from the clutch he was in are perfectly healthy, so no clues there Which left the decision on what to do for him. Since he's not responding a lot to the antibiotics, there isn't tons they can do without getting into a lot of really expensive treatments that she isn't even sure would do him any good. We talked about the possibility of having to put him to sleep. I was in tears at that point but I knew it was something that was going to come up. So in the afternoon I went to the vet's to talk more with her and to see Spike. She brought him into the exam room with her so he could be there while we talked. Poor guy had lost a lot of weight- down from 100g to about 83g. I could definitely tell. He wasn't his former impertinent self, but he definitely recognized me as someone nice and safe. He hopped out of the vet's towel and right over to me. He climbed up onto my chest and snuggled there almost the entire time. At that point my decision was made. I have classes from 8-5 tomorrow and Wednesday, and then Wednesday he's coming home, provided that he's not on death's door or anything. I'll give him his meds and he can hang out and snuggle and be with me, and he'll either get better or he won't. He definitely seemed glad to be with me and I thought that perhaps he just wanted to be home and was depressed being in an unfamiliar place where they are kind but can't spend oodles of time with him. I'm hoping that he'll be happier at home and it'll help him get better. And I'm really hoping that I'm not hoping in vain. I figure at the very very least, I've done everything I could and if he does die he'll die where he's loved and taken care of.

Well we *might* be able to pick him up tomorrow. That was the word earlier today, but then I didn't hear from the vet this afternoon so I'm not sure. He is definitely doing better! I'm just paranoid that he'll have an immediate relapse when we get him home. I've sterilized all his food dishes, I completely chucked his cage (it was a couple years old and I sterilized it with a bleach mixture and sunlight before we brought him home but I'm still paranoid about it) and all the stuff in it (all those brand-new wood perches! Ayieee!!) and put the cage cover in the hot-water washing cycle. So he has brand new cage, perches, cuttlebone, you name it, nothing is left over. I've made everything as clean as possible, but I did that before we got him so I'm still really worried that it's something I'm doing or did that made him sick.

I hadn't thought about getting pet insurance but I am absolutely going to! Those vet bills can definitely be expensive. I'm so glad to hear that Indy is all better!

Well the little guy is no worse and no better than he was before. There were a couple options we could take. We could continue on the current course of treatment (antibiotics and incubator) and cross our fingers and hope for the best, or do some more diagnostics and try to pinpoint more what's up. They did look at his poop because it was a bit on the dark side, and it was SWARMING with bacteria. The not-so-good kind! So we did a couple things. One was sent a sample of the bacteria off to the lab to see what it all is so we can pinpoint what his illness is. The other thing was an x-ray to see if it was a throat problem, or something with his lungs, etc. I was nervous about that because the vet said they have to sedate the birds to do an x-ray (understandable, especially because I *know* Spike wouldn't stay still for it! lol) but that carries its own risks. Since he's already sick there was a chance he wouldn't even make it through the x-ray. I thought about it though and decided it was worth the risk. The lab cultures could take anywhere from 2 to 7 days depending on what the bacteria turns out to be, and at least this way we could see right away if anything else is going on. Well he came through the x-ray just fine Woo! The vet said his lungs look better than she thought they would, which is a good thing, but his spleen is enlarged, so he's definitely got some bacteria problems happening! At least we've got something to go with for now. But, until the lab results come back, it's the same course of treatment. Broad spectrum antibiotics and a nice warm incubator for the lil guy. He is still really wheezy but has gotten his feisty attitude back, which is a good sign. He runs now when it's time for his medicine instead of just sitting there and taking it! This is all at the vet's, of course. I am so new at all this, and he's so sick, that I don't feel confident or comfortable trying to administer medications to him and caring for him properly. Plus, tomorrow and Friday I'm in classes all day...8 to 5...and the class cost me $2000 so I can't really cancel!:blink: So yeah, with everything together, I'm glad he's at the vet's for the next couple days at least.

On my! Poor bird. I never really thought about the danger a ceiling fan could be. Yet another thing to be cautious about! I hope his beak grows back quickly and well

Oh and I forgot to add, right now they're doing this just to help stabilize him so that she *can* do a more thorough exam.

Well I got an update. He's doing a little better after being in the oxygen tank for a bit, but still not doing great; he's still pretty wheezy. They can't keep him on oxygen forever but she also doesn't want to poke him and prod him and run a bunch of diagnostics and do a lot of physical examining that would stress him out anymore. He's pretty stressed as it is! They're going to start him on some antibiotics to help prevent him getting sicker due to a lower immuno response from being stressed, plus depending on what's wrong the antibiotics may help clear it up. They will call me if there are any drastic changes, and for now, no news is good news! I should know more tonight, or tomorrow morning. *fingers crossed*

We've had Spike now for just over a week. He's only about 6 months old, just a baby still- hasn't even had his first molt! He seemed fine, was eating and drinking and poop looked normal, but this morning he was wheezing and panting. It sounded like birdie asthma, very audible! Called the vet and brought him in right away. They have him on oxygen right now to help with his breathing and then they can examine him, at which point they'll call me. So in about an hour I should get a call, is what they said. I had brought him in last Monday, one week ago today, for his initial exam and tests. All the tests came out normal except ONE- psittacosis! That one takes 10-15 days so we haven't even gotten the results back yet, but he's showing some of the symptoms, poor guy. The good thing is the avian shop we got him at guarantees their birds to be free of psittacosis, respiratory infections, and parasites (in writing!) and based on what I could see when we were there, they really care about the birds and know what they're doing. So if it is pre-existing then...I don't know how that works exactly heh. Whether they'll pay the vet bills or how it goes, I didn't think to ask. At this point I just want him to get well! Poor guy couldn't even squawk at me properly when I towelled him to get him out of his cage and into the carrier. Just a couple of wheezy, indignant chirps.

I would call my vet and ask them what they think. Just to be sure!

I browsed through the forum history and saw that some folks had heard of it or were going to try it, but nothing really concrete. So, anyone since then tried it? What do you think of it? It sounds pretty neat to me- I'm going to try it on my cockatiel and our new bunny! Hehe.

Congratulations! He'll be spoiled in no time with all the love you have to give him {Love-0002011D}

I don't have a grey yet either Desiree but I want one too! At this point I can't get one but I'm preparing for when I can. And this community is such a wonderful one- friendly and always has good advice! 8 times is rough. I am so sorry But a couple of sayings come to mind- nothing worth having is ever easy, and good things come to those who wait! I bet when you finally do bring home your grey that it'll be totally worth it!{Feel-good-00020114}

I see a lot of advice (not just here, but lots of places) that say if you're having trouble getting your bird to step-up, to take it to a small quiet room, like a bathroom, someplace away from the cage. So my question is: If you have a bird who doesn't want to step-up, how do you get him out of the cage and into another room? Especially without traumatizing or scaring him? Nothing I read seems to address this issue- it's like they all think the bird will magically appear in the bathroom or somethign!

Oh I am so sorry to hear that. Nothing I can say will help, I know, but we all do sympathize/empathize. *hugs*

I heard it too! Congrats!

My husband's mother gave him up to her parents because she could not give him the care she felt he deserved. She was recovering from a very bad divorce (his stepfather), had not a penny to her name, and was working several jobs. She wanted him to have better than she knew she could give him for the next few years. She loved him, and still does, and it broke her heart to do it and was something she agonized over for a long time, but he was able to eat and be decently clothed, and grew into a wonderful person. He loves her as well, and he thanked her for that decision. It's not exactly the same circumstances and I'm sure that there are people who get rid of their pets because they're too "expensive" (read: inconvenient) but I'm sure that's not always the case. Although someone who really cares about their pets will try to find them a good, appropriate home as opposed to selling them to the first person with enough money and interest.

We've had our tiel now for about a week, and he's definitely warmed up to his new environment- he's eating the mash I give him in the morning, as well as the seed, and I have high hopes for him munching away on veggies soon too! He was hand-fed and pretty tame before we got him- inquisitive and didn't want to stay in one spot much, but he would step up very well and was quite friendly. Of course moving into a new environment is stressful and I know he's nervous. I've been working with him every day, about 3 times a day (15 minutes per session) to get him to step up in the cage. Having millet in my fingers helps- he'll definitely take the millet, but won't be bribed onto my hand, the little wretch :laugh: Is 3 times a day about right, or should I be doing it more or less often? We do talk to him and interact with him throughout the day.

Oh my goodness that story is awesome! Our tiel is named Spike too (my 10 year old named him! lol I guess she thought it was original :laugh:) And he is also a white-faced gray. Well he's just a baby right now so when he molts we'll know for sure if he's a he or a she, but he's a he for now...heehee!

Congratulations! I'm working my way up toward a Grey as well- started with a parakeet, and now a cockatiel! I'd love to see pics of Taco. What a great name :lol:

Well I haven't been bitten by a grey but my new cockatiel took a couple good sized chunks out of my finger and thumb! I got him on Saturday and he hadn't really settled in yet but I had an appt. at the vet's on Monday to make sure he is a healthy birdy- so out he had to come! He was really not very happy with me lol. I knew he was going to bite but boy it did hurt nontheless. Then of course the vet showed me how to use a hand towel to take him out of his carrier, gently, and put him back into his cage. I did that when we got home and it worked like a charm. I was worried that I'd set him back a good bit in the whole non-stress, settling in bit, but he seems to have recovered from the trauma pretty well hehe. He's just a few months old so still a baby as well. I can just imagine how painful a larger parrot bite would be!

Well ours has stripes and specks on the tail so I'm guessing female? hehe

Well, he didn't eat at all yesterday from what I could tell, or this morning- until I went to change the newspaper in the bottom! The cage has a slide-out tray so I slid it out and he immediately hopped to the bottom of the cage to check out what I was doing. He watched as I took it into the next room (big open space) and brought it back. When I put in the new paper he hopped up onto one of the food dishes, leaned over to get a drink of water, and ate a couple seeds. Woot! Hurray Spike!

That is too amusing!! So how does he like his new dishes? B)