Sick parrot; how do I get him the treatment he needs?

claireby13

New member
Apr 29, 2013
9
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Parrots
Tiko the Pale-headed Rosella
Blugar the Budgerigar
I live in Australia in NSW, where it is illegal to keep any wild caught native animals even if they are injured.
My uncle breeds many birds as a hobby and has all the legal permits, and basically gave me this rather sick 3 1/2 month old Rainbow Lorikeet. The problem is that he didn't document the clutch and didn't give me a certificate because he only gave it to me as a last-effort attempt to give this lorikeet a chance. He lives about 6 hours away where there's basically no way to get a parrot to an avian vet.
So how can I prove to the vet it isn't a wild-caught bird? He's very tame and doesn't bite, but I'm nervous that when I take him to the vet they'll believe he's just an injured wild bird and euthanise him or simply confiscate him from me. I'm very attached.

This Lorikeet is fully fledged but cannot fly at all. He flaps his wings but basically plummets to the ground. He also has Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome, which is basically a mysterious illness often seen in lories where they clench their feet and cannot stand on their legs at all. There's no treatment for it specifically, but many birds fully recover in a few weeks. However, it's believed to be caused as a secondary illness due to an infection so I need antibiotics.

He is always sleeping, even though lorikeets are notoriously active and noisy. I haven't yet heard a peep from him. He was at first eating by licking fairly vigorously at a Lorikeet formula, but now refuses it after a couple of licks by shaking his head and then rather hilariously rolling away, since he can't walk.

He is pooping fairly normally. His beak is also broken at the tip, as my uncle said before he gave him to me he plummeted to the ground due to his inability to fly and crashed. The tip is still attached but basically hanging to the side. It's not bleeding and while I figure out how to get him to a vet I am dabbing it with a saline solution to sterilise it.

What should I do? Has anyone had an experience like this? I have brought in my other birds to the vet and they know me, but I'm still worried.
 

henpecked

Active member
Dec 12, 2010
4,858
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3
18
NC/FLA
Parrots
Jake YNA 1970,Kia Panama amazon1975, both i removed from nest and left siblings, Forever Home to,Stacie (YN hen),Mickie (RLA male),Blinkie (YNA hen),Kong (Panama hen),Rescue Zons;Nitro,Echo,Rocky,Rub
The beak could be tender and you might have to syringe feed him. I really don't know but what little info i got from your post. How old is he. I assume he's not weaned? Can you get a picture of the beak? Give him some "pedialite" (found in the grocery/pharmacy) . Keep him warm ,about 90 F , not sure what that is in Celius. I'm not a vet and can't recommend one in your area. Have you tried to call the vet and explain your situation, maybe they would recommend a course of action. You don't have to tell them who you are.
 

PetoftheDay

Member
Dec 27, 2010
967
1
Boston area, MA
I would call your vet, and ask what kind of documentation they would need, as they know you, and will probably know you are a trustworthy bird parent. If they need it, could your uncle fax or email them a copy of his permit, etc.? Do you share a surname with your uncle? (That just might make it easier for them to believe you!)
 

Betrisher

Well-known member
Jun 3, 2013
4,253
177
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Parrots
Dominic: Galah(RIP: 1981-2018); The Lovies: Four Blue Masked Lovebirds; Barney and Madge (The Beaks): Alexandrines; Miss Rosetta Stone: Little Corella
If the birdie is sick, then he needs a vet. If you don't take him, he could sicken and die. You don't really have much of a choice. Maybe you could ring a vet and ask what the situation would be? Please let us know how you get on with this poor little fellow, won't you?

PS. Where do you live?
 

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