Parrot doesn't talk after being hospitalized

larinahutton

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African gray - maroon tail
Good day. I have a parrot called Rockey. He would be 11 years of age on 5 December this year. Rockey suffered from pneumonia 3 weeks ago and was in ICU for 11 days. He is home now but doesn't say anything and makes no sounds anymore. He also seems very off balance on his perge and moves with difficulty around his cage. I am wondering if he maybe did not suffer from a stroke?
 
I am glad Rocky is recovering after that! An 11 day stay in a vets office for a bird (especially if Rocky has been in the same home his whole life) could be a very traumatizing experience. They don't understand that being left in a strange environment with strange people was in their best interest. They just feel as though they've been abandoned by who they love and trust at a time where they were sick and venerable. You did everything right of course, but there will likely be some trust lost and a need to rebuild that trust with him. Plus, it sounds like he is still in the recovery process, and they tend to be quieter when not feeling well. Is he on any medications still? Some medications can affect balance. Does the vet know he's off balance, and if so, what does he/she have to say? If not, you need to let the vet know as soon as possible.

If Rocky suffered a stroke, one side of his body would be notably affected, just like when a human suffers a stroke. One of my moms bird had a stroke several years ago, and while there was some initial improvements in mobility, the wing is permanently affected and the foot permanently "curled" on the side of his body the stroke damaged. I would imagine if he showed symptoms of a stroke at the vets, they would have investigated. If he is showing these kind of symptoms of reduced mobility on one side of his body and did so after coming home, you need to let the vet know ASAP.
 
Laurina I had a similar experience with my male ekkie. After a few days of intensive care for getting ahold of an excedrine tablet (we think he mostly ground it up rather than ingest it but we had to be safe), he showed identical symptoms. I even filmed him looking incredibly dazed

[ame="https://youtu.be/ZJa0fhHj5KU"]Confused ekkie - YouTube[/ame]

The good news is this all will resolve. It took a week or so to see much improvement. Because he's not perching well keep him low to the ground whenever possible. My ekkie I think fell off his perch at some point because a week after we got home I noticed a big gash on his abdomen along his keel bone that definitely wasn't there before. The first few nights I kept him in his travel cage; if he fell while sleeping it's a 3 inch fall rather than 3 feet.

Give it time, it will get better. Keep him warm, keep him as comfortable as possible. I hope he improves quickly for you.
 
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I certainly hope the above posts reflect Rocky's situation. Definitely symptoms you should discuss with his vet. Wishing him a full recovery!
 
Good day. I have a parrot called Rockey. He would be 11 years of age on 5 December this year. Rockey suffered from pneumonia 3 weeks ago and was in ICU for 11 days. He is home now but doesn't say anything and makes no sounds anymore. He also seems very off balance on his perge and moves with difficulty around his cage. I am wondering if he maybe did not suffer from a stroke?

As so well covered by the above Posts, this behavior is not that uncommon after such a major illness /ICU type recovery. If you consider the recovery time for a Human after a like major medical event, it can be weeks and months until a full recovery is felt by the individual and seen by their Loved ones.

It is very important to relay all of your observations and concerns to your Avian Vet. As part of their releasing your Parrot to you, I am certain that they stated and covered the want for you to call them. That would be standard procedure as part of their releasing your Parrot into your care. With all the emotions of receiving your Parrot, we all tend not to remember those conversations with clarity. So as stated above, please contact your Avian Vet and update them on your observations and concerns.

As Rockey recovers in the warmth of his family, you will begin to see a return of his personality and interaction with his family. Providing an abundance of Love and Caring with bring you're guy the reassurance that he likely needs.
 
Hoping for rock's full recovery. Love,parrot comfort foods and close observation will bring him back to normal.
 
I have nothing to add except... my sincerest, most empathic good wishes.
No matter what, your darling is lucky to have such a loving home.
I'm glad you're here. This place is a wonderful little Universe of 'parront' support.
 
All good advice, especially to keep him on a very low perch for a while, and to let the vet know what's going on. How do birds keep their balance? They don't have the same inner ear structure we do ...
 
Just cosigning on several of the above posts. You should definitely share your concerns with Rockey's avian vet. But yes, medications can affect their balance. And as Chris said, I would definitely move him to a smaller travel cage until he gets back his full balance.

Hoping for his complete recovery!
 

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