off to the vet already

[Midori]

I have only had Midori (26days old) for 2 days, and we are already off to the vet. Feds have been going fine, but I have noticed a deteriation since Saturday. he/she isnt as active, and seems to have lost weight. I am worried that Dori has sour crop so not going to try fix this myself - time for the specialists! I was feeling quite confident with being able to handraising Dori, as i have fostered kittens before and had to nurse sick chooks, but feeling abit of a failure this time! Sorry guys, just more of a 'getting things off my chest". Will let you know how it all goes later on...

 

[Midori]

me just being paranoid. i am glad i got Midori a vet check anyway. We went to the Melbourne Bird Clinic in Scoresby - definitely recommend them! we got a dna test done too so will know next week.

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

Glad everything is OK! Did the vet go over everything with you to verify you're hand-feeding properly? I realize I'm in the States so thing are different but my vet would have a fit if someone who was not a breeder was hand-feeding a baby. Hope everything goes smoothly from here on.

 

[Thingamagigs]

I am actually surprised the vet didn't have a little tanty over it xD If I was a vet I would have given you a stern talking to Midori LOL

Its pretty taboo even here in Australia Tracy

I was taught to handrear bubs by a very experienced handrearer who lived next door to me and even I lost a cockatiel bub to sour crop due to inexperience. He'd been doing it for over 30 years and handreared natives for Australia Zoo on top of it all.

Don't ever feel you are being too paranoid Midori, they go down hill rapidly when there is something wrong. If something seems wrong, always ask someone with experience
And they are vastly different from raising puppies or kittens Puppies and kittens are easy in comparison. I've raised pups from day one and although the work is more time consuming, its much simpler and they are more forgiving of mistakes. Birds are very delicate in comparison.

Having said that, get the guidance of a good avian vet and you should be fine The larger species are much easier to handrear... cockatiels and budgies are a nightmare (IMHO).

Good luck with little Midori

 

[Midori]

my vet was really good about it all - didnt question anything. I think the breeder that sold Dori to me felt I would be okay with it all so I didnt realise it wasnt the norm. i found on gumtree and trading post quite a few breeders selling babies that werent weaned yet, so again didnt think anything of it. I am aware now that it is better to have them already weaned. (even though the hand rearing experience is great

I am feeling alot more confident now, and even though i was doing everything right, i was being abit slap dash about the ratio of formula to water. so i am being more thorough with that, and also making sure that its not too cold.

My vet also told me that i can email him at any time with any queries, and i wont hesitate to rush Dori to the vets again if i think theres something wrong.

 

[Erinsmom]

I would STRONGLY suggest you get a scale. When handfeeding they are a must. As your feedings go down you have to know they are eating enough themselves as that will determine if you can move to the next level of weaning. You were lucky this time but waiting until you think they have lost weight can have deadly consequences for your bird. Best of luck