Hello From New Zealand

Small introduction of myself and parrot, we are from Wellington, New Zealand and quite new to this forum. I've had Syd in my sole care for the last 4 years but he has been in my family around 32 years and he is one of three cockatoos I grew up with. We aren't exactly sure of his age but 65 is probably about right, at the very least he is 60.

My mum got him from an aunty who brought him from some guy that had inherited him, didn't want him and locked him away in a shed, so Syd became a plucker.

Recently he became quite ill, wouldn't eat, I could see his crop was full, vomiting up water so I took him to the vet. We don't have many accessible avian vets here but I was recommended a vet who is good with large birds and was lucky enough that he got our local zoo vet to have a look at him when he was sedated. Took bloods, did a crop wash, x-ray and pedicure whilst he was there (he refuses to let me do it). Nothing definitive came from this apart from he has arthritis in his wings and feet. While waiting on the blood test results I had to feed him antibiotics twice a day which wasn't fun! :17:

So at the moment we are moving onto a liver disease diet in case it was the start of that, he's keen on veges but not so keen on pellets! Seems to prefer Roudybush to Vitafarms stuff. Has been eating more pellets in the last few days to hopefully this continues.

So hello from Syd and Cindy!

Welcome, friend. I hope the vet can find something simple and treatable for the poor old fellow. It's good of you to care. Do come back and let us know how it goes...

Welcome from across the Tasman! Syd reminds me of my Grandfathers cocky, similar age I'd say too. Hope he has a few more years left in him! Sulphur cresteds are such characters

Kentuckienne said:

Welcome, friend. I hope the vet can find something simple and treatable for the poor old fellow. It's good of you to care. Do come back and let us know how it goes...

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Well at the moment they admit they don't know what it was, he is hoping it was something as simple as needing a crop flush with an antibiotics because right now he is back to normal, just grumpy about the diet change

Timmah said:

Welcome from across the Tasman! Syd reminds me of my Grandfathers cocky, similar age I'd say too. Hope he has a few more years left in him! Sulphur cresteds are such characters

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I hope so too, with the change of diet! Is your grandfathers naked from plucking too? Syd definitely moves like an old man these days, just needs a zimmer frame!

I'm not sure! My grandfather passed away a few years back, and he went to live with my cousin. Last I heard he was still going strong

Welcome to you and the old man!

Welcome and be welcomed. We have a sub forum for senior birds like Syd, to talk about issues and questions related to older parrots.

Welcome to the forums, Cindy and Syd! I applaud your dedication to this grand old bird, and hope the diet change will help bring forth many more good years. Syd is fortunate to have great medical care and an understanding family.

Modifying a long-standing diet can be difficult! Check out some links from our Food, Recipes, and Diet sub-forum:

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/65841-poppy-s-jolly-jungle-bread.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html

If Syd remains stubborn with fresh vegetables and fruits, try eating identical foods in front of him while offering him the same. They are flock-eaters, and you are part of his flock!