Baby Coconut might have a crop infection!!!!!!??????

Tropical · Jul 10, 2016

Last night when Coconut was "adjusting his crop" (I believe it is called... is it "cleaning" or "adjusting"??)... he was doing this shown below...

[ame="https://youtu.be/56uW6X8IzeE"]Cockatiel cleaning his crop - YouTube[/ame]

I noticed his breath smelled HORRIBLE!!! Smelled very strong pungent fishy smell (it was FOUL). Rascal's breath has NEVER smelled like this before... I am very worried Coconut might have crop infection????

... but if I smell coconut's breath when he is NOT adjusting his crop then it does not smell like this... then I can't smell anything bad at all.... so I don't know if "bad" scents are more prone to be detected when they are adjusting their crops????

EDIT: Sorry I have typo in title of this thread I misspelled "baby"... my bad.

plumsmum2005 · Jul 10, 2016

Re: Bbay Coconut might have a crop infection!!!!!!??????

You can add a little apple cider vinegar with Mother for maybe three days out of the month, make sure it's with Mother, it's not as acidic as just plain apple cider vinegar.

Also look at this Aviclens.

Hope little 'nut is OK?

Scott · Jul 10, 2016

Re: Bbay Coconut might have a crop infection!!!!!!??????

How is Coconut's breath today? The transit time from beak to vent is rapid, and a persistent foul odor may be a sign of illness or infection. If not better by later today, I would recommend a vet visit ASAP.

Tropical · Jul 10, 2016

Re: Bbay Coconut might have a crop infection!!!!!!??????

Scott said:
How is Coconut's breath today? The transit time from beak to vent is rapid, and a persistent foul odor may be a sign of illness or infection. If not better by later today, I would recommend a vet visit ASAP.

The vet is closed today unfortunately... so I am calling them ASAP monday morning... I will tell them it is an emergency and my bird must be seen that day... because I don't know how long it has been like this... that is what really makes me nervous.

I smelled Coconut's beak this morning and the HORRID... and I do mean super FOUL smell I was smelling when he was adjusting his beak last night is simply not there... it is ONLY detectable if he is adjusting his beak. Unfortunately he rarely adjusts his beak... but I am positive the horrid smell would still be there is he did adjust his beak again and what I was smelling is definitely NOT normal... it was so bad it almost burned my nose when I smelled it!!

Very pungent, rotten musty fishy smell.

I smelled Rascal's breath before when he was adjusting his beak and it was NOTHING like what I was smelling on Coconut's breath

From what I recall I could smell Rascal's breath IF he is adjusting his crop... his breath did have a scent but it was not foul.

Tropical · Jul 10, 2016

Re: Bbay Coconut might have a crop infection!!!!!!??????

plumsmum2005 said:
You can add a little apple cider vinegar with Mother for maybe three days out of the month, make sure it's with Mother, it's not as acidic as just plain apple cider vinegar.

Also look at this Aviclens.

Hope little 'nut is OK?

Good idea... I was actually putting apple cider vinegar (with the mother) into Rascal's water for many months... then stopped. I also give Rascal probiotics from Avi-culture-2, The Finest, Live, 10-Strain, Avian-Specific Probiotic

I forgot to give it to him past few weeks though, my bad. I am going to start giving both of them probiotics and will take a gallon of water and put 16ML of the apple cider vinegar in it and that will be their drinking water.... hopefully that will help.

... but gotta get Coconut vet ASAP.... I hope it's not anything serious

I am going to be very upset (suspicious) if vet says there is NO problem... because what I was smelling is 100% NOT normal. I wonder what tests vet will do other than gram stain??? Throat swab?

I don't have any decent avian vets around here... trust me on that one. The last vet I used robbed me of $5,100 when Rascal almost died... she knew she had me by the balls and took me to the cleaners!! Also did gram stain on Rascal and found all sorts of "problems" that didn't even really exist just to suck more money out of me... I didn't trust that vet (especially after she screamed at me and she didn't even know what gender Rascal is!! He is CLEARLY a male!!!... huge red flag there). I immediately had gram strain done on Rascal 24 hrs later with another vet who found NO problems!!! I want to use that new vet but don't know if she will be in the clinic until several days from now... so that won't work.

How on earth does an avian vet NOT KNOW the gender of an ADULT normal grey cockatiel? This is very basic stuff!!! Rascal looks NOTHING like a female.

Tropical · Jul 10, 2016

Re: Bbay Coconut might have a crop infection!!!!!!??????

I was instructed by the vet (the one who doesn't even know how to sex an adult normal grey tiel)... to give Rascal water with apple cider vinegar in it for rest of his entire life every single day (16ML of appple cider vinegar "with the mother" into one gallon of water).

... I am confused whether that might be too frequent? I will have to ask another vet and research further into that one... to me is seems too much. Plus I put milk thistle drops into Rascal's water as his injury he had screwed up his liver.... which is fine now thank goodness. I don't want that mixed in with water that has the apple cider in it though.... the company who makes the milk thistle drops could not even tell me if it's ok to mix the two.

Tropical · Jul 10, 2016

Re: Bbay Coconut might have a crop infection!!!!!!??????

OMG... so sorry to post so many times in a row... but I just sniffed the crap out of Coconut's beak (I almost inhaled Coconut lol) and all I smell is really good pleasant birdie smell.

... so why on earth does it smell super foul and pungent fishy ONLY when he is adjusting his beak? He must have something nasty going on deep inside his crop?... but then why can't I smell it otherwise?

plumsmum2005 · Jul 10, 2016

Re: Bbay Coconut might have a crop infection!!!!!!??????

If you have the ACV use some for now and please don't panic OK? Make an appointment for the good vet as soon as is practical. I wouldn't mix milk thistle with ACV just to be sure.

Tropical · Jul 10, 2016

Re: Bbay Coconut might have a crop infection!!!!!!??????

plumsmum2005 said:
If you have the ACV use some for now and please don't panic OK? Make an appointment for the good vet as soon as is practical. I wouldn't mix milk thistle with ACV just to be sure.

I was doing milk thistle one day and then ACV the next (every other day).... but for now I'll concentrate on giving mostly the ACV since that is most important right now.

I am dying to know what is wrong with Coconut though.... I just HOPE whatever test will be done will pin point the issue. I try not to panic... not yet...

I LOVE Coconut... I feel very lucky to have found him.

I don't have the greatest confidence in MDs (it is tough to find a good one).... I have seen too much in the medical field which would make anyone's skin crawl.

smbrds · Jul 10, 2016

Re: Bbay Coconut might have a crop infection!!!!!!??????

I wonder what apple cider will do and if it's okay to drip some in the water normally at times. I hear it's good for them. I've never smelled Baby's breath when he's adjusting his crop. I didn't know they did that to adjust but kind of had an idea. Does Coconut have a cuddlebone? Technically it's a cuddle fish and has a fishy smell. Sometimes when I cuddle with Baby he'll open his mouth like Coconut does in the video. A teacher I had back in high school in the early 2000s also had a cockatiel that did that. What I learned awhile back is that it almost seems as though they're trying to sing but when they do that it can also be a sign of them trying to regurgitate...so the smell that comes from that could be inside and food.

It's just an idea and what I've learned and observed with other cockatiels. Coconut actually isn't the only one doing that. Sometimes 'tiels just do that. I hope it's nothing serious either way and taking him to the vet ASAP would also be assurance. I could even learn something as well about this. I'm sending good birdie thoughts to you and Coconut.

Tropical · Jul 10, 2016

Re: Bbay Coconut might have a crop infection!!!!!!??????

smbrds said:
I wonder what apple cider will do and if it's okay to drip some in the water normally at times. I hear it's good for them. I've never smelled Baby's breath when he's adjusting his crop. I didn't know they did that to adjust but kind of had an idea. Does Coconut have a cuddlebone? Technically it's a cuddle fish and has a fishy smell. Sometimes when I cuddle with Baby he'll open his mouth like Coconut does in the video. A teacher I had back in high school in the early 2000s also had a cockatiel that did that. What I learned awhile back is that it almost seems as though they're trying to sing but when they do that it can also be a sign of them trying to regurgitate...so the smell that comes from that could be inside and food.

It's very weird when they do that "adjusting crop" thing... whatever it's called. They only do it very rarely... the first time I ever saw a tiel do it I panicked and thought it was joking lol

You made a good point though which I didn't even think of...
The cuttle bone in Coconut's cage doesn't smell fishy (it has no scent at all)... but the cuttle bone in Rascal's cage is new and stinks bad! I've noticed cuttle bones I bought in the past from one place never smell at all and have no scent... but the new cuttleones I recently bought smell HORRIBLE fishy stench. Maybe Coconut was indeed chewing on Rascal's cuttlebone and the horrific stench is from that in his gut? I hope to find out soon. I also want to throw Rascal's cuttle bone in the trash and get another one instead from that other shop which sells loose cuttle bones (meaning not in a package) those cuttle bones oddly have no scent. I'll take no scent over nasty fish stench

Tropical · Jul 10, 2016

Re: Bbay Coconut might have a crop infection!!!!!!??????

I just made the mistake of reading articles on crop infections... now I am a lot more worried!

Signs of Crop Infection in Cockatiels | Animals - mom.me

This article says: "A crop infection, also referred to as sour or slow crop, is a serious condition in your cockatiel. If it isn't treated quickly, your bird could die."

Am I stupid to wait this long to take him to the vet.. should I call emergency vet and take him today??? I mean... I cannot smell ANYTHING bad now... ONLY when he was "adjusting his crop" last night is when I noticed it.... and because of that I don't have any idea how long he has had this issue.... what do they mean by "treated quickly"???? OMG I am so rushing this bird to vet early in the morning. He has not regurgitated or vomited... so that is making me feel better but that article has me freaked out.

smbrds · Jul 10, 2016

Re: Bbay Coconut might have a crop infection!!!!!!??????

I would go to the vet in the morning just to be sure. If anything it will give you assurance. We can't be too safe when it comes to our birds, who also are masters at hiding illnesses.

Re: cuddle bones are an odd thing Sometimes when they come packaged, small pieces are broken and most of them don't already come assembled. I think the obvious smell that comes from them at first is because they're more fresh.

Tropical · Jul 10, 2016

Re: Bbay Coconut might have a crop infection!!!!!!??????

smbrds said:
I would go to the vet in the morning just to be sure. If anything it will give you assurance. We can't be too safe when it comes to our birds, who also are masters at hiding illnesses.

Re: cuddle bones are an odd thing Sometimes when they come packaged, small pieces are broken and most of them don't already come assembled. I think the obvious smell that comes from them at first is because they're more fresh.

Yup... the one that has no scent at all is about 2 yrs old (actually it is even older than that, omg)... so I think that is why it has no scent... not because of where I purchased it from. I keep hearing mixed thoughts on whether cuttle bones have an expiry date or not... I still don't know the correct answer.... :52:

Tropical · Jul 11, 2016

Re: Bbay Coconut might have a crop infection!!!!!!??????

Well this is a bummer, the vet I wanted to use is out of town on vacation for entire week. I just found this clinic which appears to specialize in birds: Bird Veterinary Hospital in Greenacres | Exotic Pet Care | Bird Vets in Palm Springs | Veterinarians in Greenacres

It says the vet prefers holistic approach... I really like that. Hoping I can be seen there today... they aren't open yet. I got up 6am this morning lol.... usually I get up 7am and go gym.

Tropical · Jul 11, 2016

Re: Bbay Coconut might have a crop infection!!!!!!??????

Very upset!!! I can't seem to find appointment anywhere.

The new place I showed in prior post... vet is SICK with flu... the one I wanted to see is on vacation for entire week... I then called THREE more places and all 3 could NOT see him today even after I told them it is urgent EMERGENCY indicating he must seen today because he has infection of some sort in his crop.... they said they are in "surgery all day".

Very annoyed... I have been on phone now 2 hours trying to find a place.

EDIT: Sorry nevermind, I FINALLY found a place who can see him today 2pm... I was getting worried about being able to be seen today. This place is where I'm taking Coconut today

Now I can relax LOL http://allbirdclinic.net/about-us.html

I emailed this vet last yr when Rascal almost died... she was VERY nice form what I recall and they are a bird only facility.

wrench13 · Jul 11, 2016

Please keep us posted when you get back. I hope the little guy is OK.

smbrds · Jul 11, 2016

Nice clinic. It's good there's finally an appointment now. Keep us updated.

Tropical · Jul 11, 2016

OMG... checkout this video on youtube and what this guy does to the bird when "cleaning" out the crop... is he even a vet and does he know what he is doing? He's casually says "sometimes you lose a bird but eventually you get the hang of it"... ummm

I am going to show vet that video and see if she thinks that is proper way to flush a crop??? Looks scary!!

[ame="https://youtu.be/QXp-2fbmTg4"]Sour Crop part 2- baking soda solution - YouTube[/ame]

Tropical · Jul 11, 2016

I just got back from the vet. Coconut it totally exhausted from the trip... he's not used to being out and about with me every day like Rascal is. Rascal came with me and sat on my shoulder the entire time... he was wearing his flightsuit

Vet did a gram stain on Coconut and said he has yeast overgrowth... she prescribed Nystatin (2 drops daily for one week). I see Nystatin is [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]commonly prescribed anti-fungal agent.... but I am still confused what if he has an INFECTION??? I forgot to ask... lady at front desk told me Nystatin would get rid of infection if he also might have infection.....??

The vet said she doesn't do cultures because they are not accurate and a waste of money.... that was her opinion on cultures so the only thing Coconut had done is a gram stain. HOPE that is enough! She said the yeast can indeed cause that horrid pungent fishy smell.

She also said what the guy in the video in my prior post above is doing is extremely dangerous because of the bird's asparagus... anytime anything is forced insde a bird's throat is very foolish dangerous thing to do.

.... so that's why happened on my vet visit.... oh... she also said to NOT put ACV (apple cider vinegar with the mother) into the water.... and that ACV is only necessary if something is awry in the gram stain and to NOT give it to any bird taking Nystatin medication.

... I am NEVER satisfied until I have second opinion on things but I think Coconut has had enough stress and I guess another gram stain will be done in about two weeks... will see how that gram stain is then

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Baby Coconut might have a crop infection!!!!!!??????

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