Extreme hormones

[Tyson'sMom]

Two mornings ago I found Tyson hanging upside down in his cage, making distinctive high-pitched calls. The last time I heard those calls he was hormonal. Since then he has remained hanging upside down, quivering his wings, refusing to stand on a perch even to defecate. He's now covered in his own feces and refuses to eat or drink anything. All he wants to do is hang upside down quivering or flapping his wings, and trying to mate with anything within reach. I've removed all hanging toys that he was mating with, but he remains hanging upside down trying to mate with the sides of the cage.

 

He was never this bad during previous hormone cycles. I'm concerned that he'll get sick if he doesn't start eating and drinking, and doesn't stop pooping all over himself.

 

What can I do to address this behaviour? At what point should I be taking him to a vet? I read that Lupron is sometimes used to control severe hormonal behaviour.

[judygram]

This is unusual and in my opinion if he is not eating or drinking he will get sick and quickly, at least phone the vet and ask about him, I would be concerned and let us know what you find out.

[Tyson'sMom]

This is unusual and in my opinion if he is not eating or drinking he will get sick and quickly, at least phone the vet and ask about him, I would be concerned and let us know what you find out.

 

Thanks, that was my concern as well. He's still hanging upside down and fluttering his wings, even in the dark with his cage covered, and hasn't taken a drop of water or food. I'm calling the vet first thing tomorrow. I'm also thinking of putting him temporarily in a plastic travel crate with food and water dishes, that way he'll be physically prevented from hanging upside down and may decide to take some water at least. I'll wait until tomorrow to avoid disturbing him when he's *supposed* to be sleeping.

[Greytness]

How old is he?

[Tyson'sMom]

Last night I decided to try the crate with Tyson, as I didn't want to leave him for another night without water. As soon as he was in the crate, Tyson went straight for his water bowl and drank, a lot. Then I offered him his favourite treat (apple chunks) and he eagerly accepted them. So, he spent the night in the crate with the water and a dish of pellets. The pellets were gone this morning.

 

I put him back in his cage, so far no hanging and he went straight to sleep. I'll keep an eye on him and if he starts the hanging/no eating behaviour again, back to the crate and I'll call the vet.

[Tyson'sMom]

How old is he?

 

Tyson is approximately 10 years old according to the vet. He's a rescue so we don't know his exact age.

[Inara]

Glad to hear he settled down. Interrupting his behavior and giving him an opportunit to shift his focus to different surroundings was a great idea.

[Tyson'sMom]

Glad to hear he settled down. Interrupting his behavior and giving him an opportunit to shift his focus to different surroundings was a great idea.

 

I'm glad I thought of it! If Tyson gets that way again, I know I can crate him if he stops eating and drinking.

 

Tyson's doing ok today. I think he was going without sleep as well, because he's spending a fair bit of time sleeping today. He's quieter and less active than usual, but I'd be the same way if I'd been hanging upside down for two days! He's eating and drinking as well.

[kins2321@yahoo.com]

Good job Tyson's mama! That was weird. Nancy