So it's been over a week since we brought the 4 year old ekkie into our homes--and for the most part she is doing wonderful!

Yesterday was her first vet apt, which wasn't nearly as reassuring as I had hoped it would be. The vet was concerned about her possible health problems--respiratory & possibly digestive--and gave us the number for an avian spe******t in a larger town near by. Sushi did however get her wings clipped, which was desperately needed!

Apart from her potential health issues (I really hope she's okay!) her personality is just blossoming!! Her appetite has improved some what, but she is still underweight--as confirmed by our vet. Some meals she just won't eat! I've tried so many different foods, but a lot of them just end on the floor or she won't even go near her bowl.

As far as handling goes, she hasn't nipped for about 5 days, & coos constantly when she is out with us. She'll step up for us both right out of her cage & is figuring out her above cage play pen. We've heard her talk three times now--of course when we're not in the room. She really REALLY wants to go on our shoulders, but we've made a smidgen of progress with that.

Hopefully everything checks out with the avian spe******t, but here are some concerns I've noticed:

-Under weight
-Breathing with mouth open
-Sneezing
-Loud weezing after flying across the room
-Lack of appetite
-Bright green runny poop occasionally
-Always seems to be yawning too; not sure if this is a warning sign or just a sleepy birdie baby


Anyways, sorry this is so long, just thought I would update everyone on our little ekkie


Why the heck is it starring out s p e c i a l i s t?

Hi there, I’m so sorry Sushi is feeling out of sorts. I pray the visit to spe******t will turn out ok. I’m not a Vet but those symptoms worry me, the open mouthed breathing and wheezing indicates to me a respiratory problem. Weight loss and lack of appetite are tell tale signs your bird is ill and birds tend to intentionally conceal the fact that they are sick very well so by the time you see visual symptoms it’s either too far gone to treat or very hard to treat. I do pray this is not the case with Sushi. When is the appt with the spe******t? Keep us updated. Bless you

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I have to figure schedueling still out with my fiance because the spe******t is from another town, but soon. Probably by this weekend. She sits with her eyes half open, all puffed up, one foot up on her perch a lot her lately. I know those can be symptoms of illness too. She is absolutely such a sweet little lady, I just hope she is healthy!

I hope she's ok. Get her there asap & then you can say "I think I just over reacted". I hope. Keep us posted.

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I'm really hoping I'm just overreacting--an over concerned mama. But the vet was concerned, so she'll be going there this week for sure.

I'm not sure about her whole story, but I would recommend you don't tire her out too much. Birds that are ill or underweight, tend to seek warmth to sustain their strenght, just like we would in winter. I'm in no way saying she is just being cuddly now that she is feeling ill, but she might be wanting to feel safer and warmer in doing so. Please do get her to a vet very fast, just to rule out those worries of yours. I have with the years of raising rescue wild birds, seen how quick they go down once they start showing signs of an illness. Good luck and big hugs, don't want to scare you, just want to point out what you could look out for aswell

I'm calling the vet tonight! On the plus side, Sushi has eaten more today then I have ever seen her eat!! She doesn't want to come out though at all, which concerns me; she usually happily jumps up on my arm. She may just be sore from her wing clipping/toe clipping/check-up at the vets last night.

I've been thinking of Sushi all day, please keep us posted.

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This sounds a little too familiar to what happened with Oliver please get her checked out as soon as possible and with the open mouth breathing and wheezing be prepared for the vet to recommend an x-ray and a possible aspergillosis test. I'm not a vet but that sounds really close to what Oliver would do.

I agree, don't delay in taking Sushi to the aviarian vet. Ricco, my Mexican Red Head, was fine one day. At least, he seemed fine. Was alert, wanting to be scratched and petted. I went to work, came home and discovered his droppings were hanging off his vent. He didn't want to be held or touched. If I came up to him, he would whine and walk away from me. He wouldn't eat. He just rested.

I took him to the vet and we discovered his red blood cell count was depleting, and not rejuvenating itself. He spent 4 days in the hospital, had a seizure, and died later that day.

I had Ricco for 18 years (since he was weaned). I never suspected an illness. Don't delay. The droppings are a sign. The respitory and underweight are signs. Birds can get sick and go downhill sooooo quickly. Don't wait. I don't want anyone to go through the pain of losing their bird like I did.