Jump to content
NEW ADDRESS FOR MEMBERS GREYFORUMS.ORG ×
NEW ADDRESS FOR MEMBERS GREYFORUMS.ORG

Is my African Grey fine?


Mira

Recommended Posts

Hello. I've had my CAG 'Kookoo' for almost 3 years now. Lateley, he's been acting very strange. He is slouching on his perch sideways, and resting his head on the perch. I called the vet to check on him, and after examining him the vet said that he has 'Rhinolith'. So we sent Kookoo to the vet for 5 days to take antibiotics and to get the stones out of his nose.

 

Now he is breathing well and he is fine. Except that he is still slouching and still doing this strange move. When I asked the vet about this he said that Kookoo has started to sexually mature, and so he is doing this move. But its not just that, it's that he is also sort of leaning to his left, or perhaps limping on his left foot. I also find him weaker than he was before. I'm not sure if Kookoo is just sexually maturing, or if he has a deficiency, or if there is something wrong with his spine or bones, or if he can be sick. But I am really scared that if I wait too long to discover it myself, it might be too late. So please, I need an answer ASAP.

Thanks.

Mira.

IMG_1502.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does he lean like this all the time? Was it an avian vet you took him to? This stance does not look normal and it is not sexual behavior. How old is Kookoo? I would find my self an avian vet even if I had to travel some distance to have him seen as something is just not right.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No Kookoo is not leaning like this all the time. He is moving normally, eating normally, and he is being normal. He leans like that sometimes. He's been like this for two days but now he is doing it less frequently. I find this stance weird too. When I bought Kookoo he was not very old but the pet shop did not tell me how old he was. But he is not very old, the pet shop told me that he was not older than 2 years. I've had him for 3 years so far. Yes the vet I took him to was an avian vet specialized in African Grey parrots. I really don't know what to do. The thing is, before we took him to this vet we were only feeding him sunflower seeds because thats what the pet shop told us to feed him. When the avian vet came he told me that I should feed him a formula of african grey food which he started eating about 5 days ago. I think he is improving because we started feeding him the right type of food, but his left leg is leaving me worried. He is using support from his beak while moving from one perch to another, yet he is climbing around the cage normally.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you aren't satisfied with what your vet has told you, have you thought about going for a second opinion? I hope you find out what is going on with KooKoo.

Yes I have thought of getting a second opinion but in Jordan (where I live) its really hard to find a second opinion. But thanks for your reply, I really appreciate it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is a horrible diet, just sunflower seeds, that could contribute to his problems, he needs a better diet, pellets, vegetables, a little fruit, grains, rices, legumes, a little meat like chicken now and then, some egg a couple times a week, a tiny sliver of cheddar cheese couple times a week and maybe a little yogurt now and then. Be sure to check the bird food room for ideas and suggestions and for the forbidden list of things they cannot have.

I have to say this vet does not sound very helpful, being an avian vet he should have some answers for you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is a horrible diet, just sunflower seeds, that could contribute to his problems, he needs a better diet, pellets, vegetables, a little fruit, grains, rices, legumes, a little meat like chicken now and then, some egg a couple times a week, a tiny sliver of cheddar cheese couple times a week and maybe a little yogurt now and then. Be sure to check the bird food room for ideas and suggestions and for the forbidden list of things they cannot have.

I have to say this vet does not sound very helpful, being an avian vet he should have some answers for you.

 

Yes I realized that it is a really bad diet. I will look for a better avian vet tomorrow because its 10:30 pm right now. Kookoo is also sleeping really early, and he is not talking as much as he did before. I am really worried, mostly because I thought he was just maturing but now I think he might be really sick. But Kookoo does not accept these types of food, only likes fruits. But I haven't tried feeding him eggs before, I will try that.

Thanks a lot. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Usually when a bird shows signs of illness it has already progressed to a more dangerous level as they tend to hide it as long as possible, in the wild sick birds would be picked off easily by predators. Not trying to alarm you but time is of the essence if he is truly sick, first thing in the morning take him either back to the vet you are using or find a new one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, I am definitely looking for a better vet tomorrow. But right now he is really concerning me because he is closing his eyes while leaning. I am SO scared, I'm also afraid to sleep because something might happen to him.

Thanks anyways, I really appreciate your answer. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am very worried that it is too late. I hope that it is not and you can get your baby well again!

 

I hope its not too late. Im so attached to him. Ill stay up all night to make sure he'll be ok till the morning.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mira, are you in Amman?

 

Does Jordan have any certifying organizations for avian vets (like we have in the US)? Or can any vet call themselves an avian vet?

 

Yes, Im in Amman. Well, Im not really sure, but I know two normal vets that were not very good. But the vet I last saw is a real avian vet, who studied about parrots and all animals in America. He really explained well about Kookoos case of Rhinolith, and from the way I saw him examine Kookoo he seemed trustworthy, but for some reason I feel that he is wrong about the whole 'Kookoo is becoming mature' thing. I am really worried and especially because it is really hard to find good avian vets here in Amman. Hopefully I'll find another good avian vet tomorrow.

Thank you for you concern and for taking the time to reply. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looking on-line, it doesn't seem like you have a lot of options in Amman.

 

Just because the vet was trained in parrots doesn't mean he will be an expert, but there may not be any experts available to you.

 

I think you have to go back to the vet that saw Kookoo before. I'm an engineer so I have no qualifications to diagnose Kookoo, but it really seems like something is very wrong. Like Judy says, greys do a very good job of hiding illness so by the time you see that something is wrong, time is starting to run out.

 

Please let us know what you find out tomorrow morning!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is never too late!!!!!, I'm no vet, we've had/have other members from the same area, they all say the same thing!!1 Ok, it sounds like "Calcium deficiency", get a Calcium supplement, if it's for humans, give him 1/6 the human dose!!!!start feeding Green leafie veggies, kale, etc, also carrots...Gt a cuttle bone and put in the cage, lots of direct sunlight, with shad when he needs it, If you can get "Hagen Prime" give it to him. Did the vet do a CBC? I'm sure he needs D3, A Grey absorbs d3 from the sun, very little from food, also give him some plain low=fat yogurt!!! Jayd

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is never too late!!!!!, I'm no vet, we've had/have other members from the same area, they all say the same thing!!1 Ok, it sounds like "Calcium deficiency", get a Calcium supplement, if it's for humans, give him 1/6 the human dose!!!!start feeding Green leafie veggies, kale, etc, also carrots...Gt a cuttle bone and put in the cage, lots of direct sunlight, with shad when he needs it, If you can get "Hagen Prime" give it to him. Did the vet do a CBC? I'm sure he needs D3, A Grey absorbs d3 from the sun, very little from food, also give him some plain low=fat yogurt!!! Jayd

 

Yes, I thought it was a calcium deficiency but the avian vet said its not. I contacted a different avian vet today, and he asked about everything we did to Kookoo before. I told him about the antibiotics, and how the previous avian vet was giving him the antibiotics for Rhinolith in his thighs. Thee previous vet said that he gave him a shot in his left leg, which explains why he has been leaning on his left leg. I also sent some of Kookoo's pictures so some avian vets in America and Australia, and the vet I contacted also did the same. He sent the pictures so his colleagues and to dosctors he knew from all over the world, they all said that it can be a side effect from the antibiotics, and because we left him at the vet for 5 days.

 

I am still not sure about this, because the main reason we called the doctor was because he was doing this stance BEFORE he took the antibiotics. It doesn't seem like anyone is being able to diagnose him. I am now looking for another avian vet.

Thanks for your reply.

Mira

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...