EATING DISORDER

[leevers]

EVER SINCE MY AFRICAN GREY PARROT OF 20 YEARS HAD SEIZURES 2 WEEKS AGO, HE HAS REFUSED TO EAT ANY OF HIS PARROT FOOD OR HIS FAVORITE HUMAN FOOD. HE HAS BEEN EXISTING SOLELY ON PEANUTS NOTHING ELSE. HOW LONG CAN HE SURVIVE ON PEANUTS ALONE ??? ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED, I'M DESPERATE. A VET IS NOT AN OPTION.

 

[HeatherG]

I bet your bird is only eating peanuts because he doesn’t feel well. If he eats peanuts and drinks water, he can survive for a while (Months?) but will have vitamin imbalance. At least peanuts are a high protein legume; that should help. Maybe you could order vitamin or calcium sprinkles to go on his peanuts?

You know that the best thing to do would be to take him to a vet. Is there any way you can do that?

 

[clark_conure]

Can you try fruits and veggies heck even a steak or even better eggs. Anything to vary the diet will help.

 

[Icca]

Hello I sorry to hear about your grey. Seizures can have strange effects even after the event appears to be over. I understand how scary this is.
You could try chopping the peanuts into small pieces.
If your grey will eat them as small pieces next try mixing the chopped nuts and some mashed up cooked beans.
If that works keep adding his favorite foods 1 at a time into the bean and nut blend.
Remember to try to stay calm and gentle during feeding time.
Hang in there. epileptics can have happy healthy lives but after a seizure it can take time to get back to their "normal" behavior

 

[Icca]

Also after he accepts the peanuts chopped up. Add only a very small amount of mashed beans. Only enough beans to coat the peanuts.
The idea is for him to think he is still only eating peanuts.
Then over the next few days you can add more beans if he still seems to be eating good.
Please keep us updated.

 

[StormyPica]

As a former parent of an epileptic Robin, I can say that vet care is NEEDED. Like, so, so, important. I was not able to get vet help for my Robin at the time, and she passed during her third seizure. I was heartbroken. But, I was also 11 (although I did quite well and hand-raised her with no experience from day 3). I didn't know about online vet consults, and it hadn't even crossed my mind to look into vets 2 hours away or more. Now, I'm slightly older, and I can give you advice from my couple years of budgie parenting, regarding vets.
1. Online consults are better than no consult.
2. Be prepared to drive 2+ hours to see a vet if needed (I do).
3. ANY vet that treats birds is better than none. CAV is ideal, but my current vet has gone to school for treating birds, studied it hard, and is not board certified. He is a great and capable vet all the same.
4. Don't try to treat the bird yourself, this often makes it worse. Don't give it random medicines. The only thing I recommend to "treat" seizures, is shining a heat lamp on the bird as they're waking up from the seizure. Not too hot, just make sure they stay warm.