Very worried about Fang

Many of you will know I lost my precious GCC Baci to zinc toxicity/pancreatitis last August. I drove my long-suffering husband crazy going over and over where on earth he could possibly have picked up a dose of zinc back then, I thought maybe from chewing the bars of his cage, maybe from a food dish made of “mystery metal”, we tested our water for zinc and came up with nothing conclusive. My greatest fear was that something similar would happen with Fang the cockatiel - and now it appears we may be going through it again.

Fang didn’t eat much yesterday and got quite listless in the afternoon/evening. His poop was pretty much just white urine. This morning he was sleepy and just wanted to nap in a warm sunny spot. I offered him his VERY favourite food (plain toast with nothing on it) which thankfully he was happy to chow down on, and he followed up with a big drink, a few pellets and a nibble of celery. We do not have a CAV available after business hours but there’s a local 24/7 emergency place that can liaise with our vet after hours so we took him there. They don’t do much in the way of testing but his poop looked much better, they gave him some subcutaneous fluids, his weight and temperature are within normal range, and needless to say he will be going to see his regular vet first thing tomorrow. He is not as “shocky” as Baci was and there is no tail bobbing or laboured breathing, but I’m still terrified of losing him too! He is also having a very heavy, protracted moult which no doubt has sapped his energy to deal with whatever this is.

Honestly I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose him, I cannot fathom where they’re getting zinc from, the only other variable is a domestic water filter we recently had updated in our kitchen, probably about a year ago or thereabouts (I’m now using bottled water for them just in case!)

Currently he’s sitting quietly with Val the budgie by his side. He had a nibble of some broccolini when we got him home and he’s just now had a few more pellets that he has dunked in water. I will keep you posted as to how he goes tomorrow. Meanwhile if you could all keep your fingers, toes, eyes and everything else crossed for him I sure would appreciate it!

Sending feathered hugs.....Hope Fang is feeling better soon.

Thank you! I’ve just popped some Tropimix seed mix in his dish and he’s happily tucking into those right now At this stage I don’t care what he eats as long as he eats!!

I'm sorry to hear this, hope you find out what's wrong and that he gets better.

I'm just going to throw this out there because you mentioned he is going through a heavy molt.

I have noticed that when my birds go through heavy molts they tend to sleep more, and generally be a lot less active. All of their energy goes into the molt, and it's a stressful time for them.

It could just be the heavy molt, or (like fear) he could have an illness.



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I'm sorry to read Fang is feeling unwell!!!! I'm adding all prayers and every wish for a good outcome. I hope tomorrow goes well... Thinking of you all , please be ok

Oh Martina, I am sorry to hear Fang is unwell. Let it be nothing more than a heavy molt and some transient disturbance. Hope his vet will quickly diagnose and give you reason for optimism.

Thank you all for your kind words of support and encouragement, it means an awful lot to me!

Fang has had a midday nap (not unusual for him) and is munching on some more food which I’m taking as a positive sign. He looks a little better in himself but he is still going to his doctor tomorrow regardless!

Fang is such a lovely bird, with the softest feathers imaginable and his pretty white face. He favours my hubby over me but he knows to come to his mum when he wants a good skritch! I’m hoping like crazy that it’s just the heavy moult and the hot weather making him feel a bit miserable - he’s having a preen now after being mussed up by the vet earlier and losing another handful of feathers!

I will give him a big kiss from all of you, thanks again!

So...Valentino gave him the sniffles from the kindergarten he was in?

Maybe Christa, maybe! Val was blood tested for all the usual stuff but there could’ve been something that flew under the radar.

Fang did have some dinner and he’s about to get some time with his dadda before bed, I’m much happier with his demeanour tonight than last night. Hubby has this week off work so Fang will be pleased with that

Keep up the good work Fang! No need to scare mum and dad to get extra attention! So glad he is eating, we worried on this side of the pond.

Keeping all of you in my thoughts!


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I'm so sorry to hear Fang hasn't been feeling well! How is he doing today? I'm so glad he is eating, that is a good sign.
Sending many prayers and gentle feathered hugs to you both. Hoping for good news today!

Well gang, the patient is much improved this morning. He was still a bit sleepy but the moment his dadda sat on the couch with some toast he brightened up immensely. I’ve had to leave for work so he is now in hubby’s capable hands. He will be making the trip to the vet in a few hours and I will be getting a report and will pass more info along as soon as I know.

This community is full of wonderful, wise and generous hearted people and I thank you all so much for your support!

It's a conspiracy they both will be suffering from 'manflue' by the time you get back home..


(just kidding, just being very relieved Fang seems to be doing fine now)

You may be onto something there! Maybe they’re both gonna call up their girlfriends the moment my back is turned! Typical!!

I hate having to leave a sick baby behind but his dadda and his vet (Fang’s Uncle Adrian) are the best so I’m comforted by that. And Fang gave me a bit of cockatiel attitude this morning so I think he’s doing better today

Ok team, the latest is that Fang’s doc is reasonably happy with him, doesn’t seem to think it’s heavy metal toxicity (phew!) but has ordered blood tests and results will be in tomorrow. Could be related to a mild heart arrhythmia which was picked up a few months ago and/or his very heavy moult and/or the feral summer we’ve had and I’m thinking throw two new housemates ie. Lilly and Valentino into the mix! He certainly wasn’t ataxic like Baci was thank heavens!! Doc also says he’s a lazy preener because of all the downy streamers he has under his wings but he’s always had those.

So we will know more tomorrow and I’ll keep you posted. Can’t wait to see my poor feathery boy this afternoon and give him a big kiss❤️

A good visit, hope the news tomorrow is even better - normal blood panels!!

Well as “normal” as Fang gets anyway...