Alexandrine Query

azgardezi

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May 2, 2020
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I have a baby Alex that has just started weaning (he just had his first piece of apple and guava today). I got the Alex a few days back from a local breeder.

There are a few concerns that I have regarding my Alex. Please bear with me.

1. The breeder who I got it from had a clutch of Alex's he was selling. Naturally, I went for the one that was the most active. When I came home I realized it was wheezing and sneezing (occasionally). I also noticed some nasal discharge, plus a bit of beak was kept open to breathe - I realized there was a respiratory issue. However, I did check the beak and it would not fully close any way - probably it is still developing the ideal shape, maybe?

2. The next day the wheezing disappeared but the sneezing was periodic.

3. The parrot preens itself regularly, responds to its name and makes sounds to get itself noticed. Plus it keeps flapping ts wings to practice its flight. There is also no loss of appetite.

4. I got the bird checked by a local vet who has a very good reputation (Others mostly are experts on cats and dogs but not birds). I was told by the vet that the breeder that I got it from probably aspirated the poor bird when he was feeding it. As per him, in case there was flu or sickness, the bird would not be as active as it is. I was recommended some nasal drops which I am now administering. The nasal discharge has increased after the drops but the wheezing has reduced to once or twice per day.

5. As mentioned earlier, my bird has started picking up and exploring / eating tit bits of fruits. It actually looks forward to things to nibble and has started resenting the formula being fed.

6. What foods can I give the bird that would improve its current breathing condition?



7. I'd like to take the bird off the formula as soon as I can. When would be the best time to do so?
 

charmedbyekkie

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May 24, 2018
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Cairo the Ekkie!
1. The breeder who I got it from had a clutch of Alex's he was selling. Naturally, I went for the one that was the most active. When I came home I realized it was wheezing and sneezing (occasionally). I also noticed some nasal discharge, plus a bit of beak was kept open to breathe - I realized there was a respiratory issue. However, I did check the beak and it would not fully close any way - probably it is still developing the ideal shape, maybe?

Without a photo, we cannot tell. Your avian vet should be the one to advise best.

4. I got the bird checked by a local vet who has a very good reputation (Others mostly are experts on cats and dogs but not birds). I was told by the vet that the breeder that I got it from probably aspirated the poor bird when he was feeding it. As per him, in case there was flu or sickness, the bird would not be as active as it is. I was recommended some nasal drops which I am now administering. The nasal discharge has increased after the drops but the wheezing has reduced to once or twice per day.

Did the vet do any tests whatsoever? If breathing problems, avian vets will at least take a throat swab to confirm it's not an infection or other problem. Without any tests, your vet is just guessing.

6. What foods can I give the bird that would improve its current breathing condition?

Without knowing the health issue, it's hard to say anything here.

7. I'd like to take the bird off the formula as soon as I can. When would be the best time to do so?

What is the benefit to this? Betterment of the bird or convenience for you?

Recommend you look into abundance weaning - forced weaning will cause all sorts of problems later on.

Do check out this thread as it is particularly relevant to your case: http://www.parrotforums.com/breeding-raising-parrots/74363-so-you-bought-unweaned-baby.html It was written by our resident IRN (similar family to Alexandrine) expert.
 
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azgardezi

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1. The breeder who I got it from had a clutch of Alex's he was selling. Naturally, I went for the one that was the most active. When I came home I realized it was wheezing and sneezing (occasionally). I also noticed some nasal discharge, plus a bit of beak was kept open to breathe - I realized there was a respiratory issue. However, I did check the beak and it would not fully close any way - probably it is still developing the ideal shape, maybe?
Without a photo, we cannot tell. Your avian vet should be the one to advise best.

4. I got the bird checked by a local vet who has a very good reputation (Others mostly are experts on cats and dogs but not birds). I was told by the vet that the breeder that I got it from probably aspirated the poor bird when he was feeding it. As per him, in case there was flu or sickness, the bird would not be as active as it is. I was recommended some nasal drops which I am now administering. The nasal discharge has increased after the drops but the wheezing has reduced to once or twice per day.
Did the vet do any tests whatsoever? If breathing problems, avian vets will at least take a throat swab to confirm it's not an infection or other problem. Without any tests, your vet is just guessing.

6. What foods can I give the bird that would improve its current breathing condition?
Without knowing the health issue, it's hard to say anything here.

7. I'd like to take the bird off the formula as soon as I can. When would be the best time to do so?
What is the benefit to this? Betterment of the bird or convenience for you?

Recommend you look into abundance weaning - forced weaning will cause all sorts of problems later on.

Do check out this thread as it is particularly relevant to your case: http://www.parrotforums.com/breeding-raising-parrots/74363-so-you-bought-unweaned-baby.html It was written by our resident IRN (similar family to Alexandrine) expert.


Thank you for your reply. There were no tests done. Neither him nor anyone else really conducts tests for birds. Like I stated before, mostly they specialize in cats and dogs. I've tried asking around from people in other cities. The situation is the same. So it's a pretty bleak situation vet wise.



Will check the thread though. Many thanks !
 

Cardinal

Member
Jul 1, 2014
506
12
India
Parrots
Currently I have none, but I have the capacity to adopt a minimum and maximum of two budgies - preferably a bonded pair or two males.
I have a baby Alex that has just started weaning (he just had his first piece of apple and guava today). I got the Alex a few days back from a local breeder.

There are a few concerns that I have regarding my Alex. Please bear with me.

1. The breeder who I got it from had a clutch of Alex's he was selling. Naturally, I went for the one that was the most active. When I came home I realized it was wheezing and sneezing (occasionally). I also noticed some nasal discharge, plus a bit of beak was kept open to breathe - I realized there was a respiratory issue. However, I did check the beak and it would not fully close any way - probably it is still developing the ideal shape, maybe?

2. The next day the wheezing disappeared but the sneezing was periodic.

3. The parrot preens itself regularly, responds to its name and makes sounds to get itself noticed. Plus it keeps flapping ts wings to practice its flight. There is also no loss of appetite.

4. I got the bird checked by a local vet who has a very good reputation (Others mostly are experts on cats and dogs but not birds). I was told by the vet that the breeder that I got it from probably aspirated the poor bird when he was feeding it. As per him, in case there was flu or sickness, the bird would not be as active as it is. I was recommended some nasal drops which I am now administering. The nasal discharge has increased after the drops but the wheezing has reduced to once or twice per day.

5. As mentioned earlier, my bird has started picking up and exploring / eating tit bits of fruits. It actually looks forward to things to nibble and has started resenting the formula being fed.

6. What foods can I give the bird that would improve its current breathing condition?



7. I'd like to take the bird off the formula as soon as I can. When would be the best time to do so?

Hi AsgarDezi


Welcome to the forum. I guess your are from the Indian Subcontinent. It will be helpful to know where you are from?

Hope you are aware the Alexandrines are illegal to buy, sell ,breed or trade in India and from what I know in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka too.
Nevertheless now that you have him, you have to take good care of him so you have come to the right place to learn.

Hope you will be able to take good care of your bird.
 
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azgardezi

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May 2, 2020
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I have a baby Alex that has just started weaning (he just had his first piece of apple and guava today). I got the Alex a few days back from a local breeder.

There are a few concerns that I have regarding my Alex. Please bear with me.

1. The breeder who I got it from had a clutch of Alex's he was selling. Naturally, I went for the one that was the most active. When I came home I realized it was wheezing and sneezing (occasionally). I also noticed some nasal discharge, plus a bit of beak was kept open to breathe - I realized there was a respiratory issue. However, I did check the beak and it would not fully close any way - probably it is still developing the ideal shape, maybe?

2. The next day the wheezing disappeared but the sneezing was periodic.

3. The parrot preens itself regularly, responds to its name and makes sounds to get itself noticed. Plus it keeps flapping ts wings to practice its flight. There is also no loss of appetite.

4. I got the bird checked by a local vet who has a very good reputation (Others mostly are experts on cats and dogs but not birds). I was told by the vet that the breeder that I got it from probably aspirated the poor bird when he was feeding it. As per him, in case there was flu or sickness, the bird would not be as active as it is. I was recommended some nasal drops which I am now administering. The nasal discharge has increased after the drops but the wheezing has reduced to once or twice per day.

5. As mentioned earlier, my bird has started picking up and exploring / eating tit bits of fruits. It actually looks forward to things to nibble and has started resenting the formula being fed.

6. What foods can I give the bird that would improve its current breathing condition?



7. I'd like to take the bird off the formula as soon as I can. When would be the best time to do so?

Hi AsgarDezi


Welcome to the forum. I guess your are from the Indian Subcontinent. It will be helpful to know where you are from?

Hope you are aware the Alexandrines are illegal to buy, sell ,breed or trade in India and from what I know in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka too.
Nevertheless now that you have him, you have to take good care of him so you have come to the right place to learn.

Hope you will be able to take good care of your bird.


Many thanks for your kind wishes.



Yes you are right. I am from Pakistan. There was indeed a ban on the trading of Alexandrines which was lifted 4-5 years back as their populations are thriving in captivity.



The reason the species has been endangered is not because of poaching, but in fact it is because of their habitats being destroyed as cities expand at an exponential rate. Believe it or not, even the IRN flying in the wild is a pretty rare sight here now.
 

Cardinal

Member
Jul 1, 2014
506
12
India
Parrots
Currently I have none, but I have the capacity to adopt a minimum and maximum of two budgies - preferably a bonded pair or two males.
I have
The reason the species has been endangered is not because of poaching, but in fact it is because of their habitats being destroyed as cities expand at an exponential rate. Believe it or not, even the IRN flying in the wild is a pretty rare sight here now.

Well that is not true. Poaching is the main reason for decline in most parts of Asia including in Pakistan.

The solid proof for this is thriving feral population of Alexandrines in the Navy head quarters in Mumbai , where habitat is not very pristine but it is impossible for poachers to enter.

Also Rose ringed parakeet declining can only be attributed to heavy poaching because it is one of the most adaptable of all parrots and thrives in Indian cities.

Also you can see that Feral populations of Alexandrines are also thriving in some towns in Germany and other parts of Europe because there is hardly any poaching there.
 
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azgardezi

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Well that is not true. Poaching is the main reason for decline in most parts of Asia including in Pakistan.

The solid proof for this is thriving feral population of Alexandrines in the Navy head quarters in Mumbai , where habitat is not very pristine but it is impossible for poachers to enter.

Also Rose ringed parakeet declining can only be attributed to heavy poaching because it is one of the most adaptable of all parrots and thrives in Indian cities.

Also you can see that Feral populations of Alexandrines are also thriving in some towns in Germany and other parts of Europe because there is hardly any poaching there.


Many thanks for educating me about this.


Could you recommend me a remedy for my bird's situation. You would know that avian vets really do not exist in Pakistan. :)
 

Cardinal

Member
Jul 1, 2014
506
12
India
Parrots
Currently I have none, but I have the capacity to adopt a minimum and maximum of two budgies - preferably a bonded pair or two males.
Many thanks for educating me about this.


Could you recommend me a remedy for my bird's situation. You would know that avian vets really do not exist in Pakistan. :)

Well! I empathise with you because situation is same in most parts of India except for some parts of cities like Bengaluru etc. But unfortunately I can't help you because I have no experience in physically handling Alexandrine babies.

But this forum has many experts. I think Silver Sage is one of them ; She has kept rose ringed parakeets . May be you should search for some of her older threads and you may get some answers and hopefully she and other experts can help you.
 
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azgardezi

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Well! I empathise with you because situation is same in most parts of India except for some parts of cities like Bengaluru etc. But unfortunately I can't help you because I have no experience in physically handling Alexandrine babies.

But this forum has many experts. I think Silver Sage is one of them ; She has kept rose ringed parakeets . May be you should search for some of her older threads and you may get some answers and hopefully she and other experts can help you.




It's good to know that India has at least some aviary vets available. I will certainly look into it. Many thanks once again.
 

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