Hi everyone!

[ShadowOfTheStorm]

I'm super new to the forum universe, but giving it a try! Even if it's just to read other people's posts. I'm the owner of two cockatiels (both of which I'm hoping you guys can help with, but I've no idea which forum to post too! One is behavior issues. He mastubates obsessivly. the other cleaning/health? Gunk on nose) I also own eleven fish, six cats, a 7th I'm fostering for my son until he moves into a pet friendly place, and two zebra finches. Once my cockatiels pass I'm hoping for a cockatoo or a small parrot type bird, and we're also thinking of adding a dog to our herd. (Assuming dogs and non caged cockatiels get along!)
Yes, I have space for all my animals. And they're spoiled rotten! (7 kids = lots of love)
I expect to mostly lurk, but I thought I'd announce myself anyway!

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to our universe! This is an incredibly friendly forum!
Such a family!!
Many experts here, but I can tell you a gunky beak is a very serious thing!
What part of the world do you call home?

 

[ShadowOfTheStorm]

I live in Utah, USA. Super cold right now! I love the snow in the mountians, and the deer in my yard, but I could so live without the frost on my windows. I can't believe some places get colder!
I only noticed her gunky beak because on nose hole was closed. She's a rescue (all my pets are) and can't reach her nose at all due to being crippled. I'm thinking it's dirt. (It's black and waxy) She's got a vet visit after the new year anyway for blisters on her feet from walking. (She uses her beak to walk, wings for balance. Poor thing!) I just want to make her comfortable until then. She's also about a thousand years old, so she deserves love! (She's actually about 17)

 

[Allee]

Hello and a warm welcome to the forums! Glad you joined us, make yourself at home!

Sometimes if you change things up, rearrange toys, perches, etc., it will help redirect a hormonal bird's attention. I hope the vet visit goes well, gunky nares is usually reason for concern. A lot of us have multi species households, however we never encourage interaction between predator and prey, tragic accidents can happen in a heartbeat even with the friendliest pets.

Your cockatiel would probably appreciate a few special accommodations to make her senior years a little more comfortable. We have a number of older avians whose owners have found some pretty creative ways to help their senior avians stay happy and healthy for as long as possible.

 

[Terry57]

Hello and welcome to the forum!
For your senior tiel, is it possible to get her in to see the vet any sooner? Even if it is just build-up it is probably uncomfortable and needs a flush.
You mention she is crippled and really can't walk, I'm wondering i it would help with her feet if she has a soft, clean piece of fleece to rest on. You would have to have several pieces to switch out to keep it clean, but it may help.

I am so happy you joined us!

 

[SailBoat]

Hello and a warm welcome to the forums! Glad you joined us, make yourself at home!

Sometimes if you change things up, rearrange toys, perches, etc., it will help redirect a hormonal bird's attention. I hope the vet visit goes well, gunky nares is usually reason for concern. A lot of us have multi species households, however we never encourage interaction between predator and prey, tragic accidents can happen in a heartbeat even with the friendliest pets.

Your cockatiel would probably appreciate a few special accommodations to make her senior years a little more comfortable. We have a number of older avians whose owners have found some pretty creative ways to help their senior avians stay happy and healthy for as long as possible.

And, as a follow-up to Allee's Post. The foot problem is likely due to far to many years on far to small a diameter wood dowel perch(s). Switch to much larger Natural Wood Branches. It sounds like the pads on the bottom of the feet are reddened from perching on the dowels. With the pads reddened, look for natural Wood Branch Perches that are of size that the top half of the Branch style perch supports your Parrot's full claw. Consider Vet Rapping the Natural Wood Branch Perches, a double lapping rap should be all that is needed.

Look forward to hearing from you after your upcoming Vet visit!

By the way, Welcome to the Parrot Forums!

 

[EllenD]

Welcome to the forums, I'm glad you decided to ask for advice because you do have cause for great concern, especially with the blocked nares and gunk, which is indicative of an upper respiratory infection or sinus infection and needs to be flushed out to make his breathing easier, and then he will need antibiotics for probably a 7-10 days or more, up to a month. I would not at all wait until next week to get this bird to an avian specialist vet, I would take him to an avian vet immediately, as respiratory infections often kill birds very quickly and suddenly. I'm sure you're aware that birds instinctively hide illness and injury until the very last moments, so by the time the bird is actually acting sickly it is actually near death and it's too late for medical treatment to save them...So I would do everything you can to take that bird to an avian specialist vet immediately, and make sure it is an avian vet and not a general vet.

As far as the blistered feet, Sailboat said it all. You need to change out the dowel perches for natural branch perches asap, and get him something soft to stand on in the meantime, like fleece. Those blisters are very painful for him, and if they get infected he could easily lose his feet/legs.

I'm glad you care enough to take in older birds that need some special care, and please feel free to ask any questions you may have!

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

 

[GaleriaGila]

Welcome. I'm so glad you found us.
And thank you for the rescues you do. I will look forward to hearing your stories and appreciating your bravery and kindness.

 

[wrench13]

welcome and be welcomed! Glad you joined us. You will get some of the very best avian advice here, shy of going to an actual avian vet. It may not be what you want to hear, but we put the birds lives as the top priority here. I hope you become an active member, we love pics and stories and you sound like you have some good ones.

 

[ShadowOfTheStorm]

Thank you everyone! You are all super wonderful. I've posted in the health forum so you can get a more indepth picture of what's going on with her. She's a sweetie, but has lots of issues. I love the idea of bigger perches. I'm heading to the store today anyway, I'll see if I can round up a few. Thank you again!

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, thanks for joining!! You've gotten some terrific advice, particularly regarding the urgency of blocked nares. Hope your vet can accommodate an earlier visit.

Much respect for adopting distressed animals. They are so deserving and are generally appreciative in their own ways!

 

[ShadowOfTheStorm]

Good news! I found a vet that could see me today. No sinus infections! However, when he got the gunk off her nose was a bit bloody. He thinks it's possible allergies, or dust buildup. I have to bath her once a week to keep her nose clean, and she's on meds for her feet and nose. Checkup with my normal vet in a week, but she's okay for now. He is really worried about her walking, but she's so old any strength training would be too hard. So she has gentle stretches to do. (Sitting on my finger to gain balance)
Giles on the other hand... He not only gave himself an infection, buy rubbed himself raw. The vet gave him some meds too, but didn't say how to curb it. If he doesn't stop he could seriously hurt himself, possibly kill himself.
I have to give a big shout-out and thank you to everyone who urged me to go to a vet! (Bird vet) they must've been in pain. I'm glad I didn't wait.
I also got some drops from him to put in their water and food to help with vitamins. It's only until I get them on a better diet. Where they have wounds they need help.
As an aside, Giles got stuff to shred. It seems to be helping with the rubbing. Not perfect, but a start. He's down to like 12 times instead of 20 times a day.

Now I'm off to handicap a birdcage so Jazz can walk without her feet hurting!

(I don't know if I should post this here or on the other posts, but you've all been so helpful I had to let you know)

Posting on Mobil super late, so sorry for spelling mistakes.

 

[Anansi]

I'm so glad to hear that the vet has addressed the issues with your birds. And also that the shreddable toys seem to be helping your guy. Hoping the best for both. Please continue to keep us updated.