Urgent Help With African Grey

[rfb]

My wife has an African Grey, he is having trouble grasping perch, has had his nails trimmed, they had been left grow by previous owner. We have had him about 1 year. A few months back he got out unattended and landed on the cockatoo's cage who nipped off the end of one toe. Back to the vets for that, seemed to heal but had difficulty getting balance on perch. We were gone for week end and had him cared for when came back he was out of sorts, feathers huffed etc. Not able to perch, wife confined him for a bit as he kept falling off perch, and she was afraid he would be hurt. He is sore and tender and not using the one foot well. Now she is hand feeding him, what can we do? No avain vets in this area, All advice welcome

 

[JerseyWendy]

Welcome to the forums.

I'm awfully sorry to hear about your AG! If you tell us where you live, we can potentially help you find a qualified vet. This sounds like a rather dire situation, and unfortunately none of us are avian vets.

Until you (or one of us...or more of us) can find a vet for you, I'd keep him quiet, calm, warm, and perhaps on the bottom of a cage, so he can't fall down.

 

[rfb]

That is kind what we are doing as well as looking for an avian vet. Just in case how do you hydrate etc?

 

[JerseyWendy]

You said your wife is hand feeding him, yes? What is she giving him? If she's feeding hand feeding formula for baby parrots, then he 'should be' hydrated, as the powder is mixed with water.

 

[rfb]

Thanks for the reply, yes she is mixing baby bird formula with water, so he is getting water. Finally got a vet but can't see him until Monday, which was the reason for asking about hydrating. I guess we are doing we can. The wife is very good with birds. Thanks

 

[JerseyWendy]

Best wishes to all of you! Please keep us posted, ok?

 

[Scott]

Glad you were able to locate an avian vet! Hopefully there is no infection within the toe and your wife can keep him properly nourished.

 

[rfb]

Thank goodness we got him in today. The vet was just awesome. The birds name is Jaws, that was his name when we got him last year. The vet just finished up with him, and he says why is he called Jaws. I says I really don't know, he is so sweet natured. At that moment Jaws grabbed his finger. The vet was the best ever, he says I think I know why now. Jaws did not break his skin. It all ended well. I thanked him very much and shook his hand, he is a real bird lover. He missed his flight to help my wife's little man. A class act. Thanks everyon

 

[Doublete]

What was the diagnosis?

 

[rfb]

He checked his stool sample and said his stomach was out of balance. Did blood work will have results Monday. rehydrated him with electrolites, put him on broad spectrum antibiotic. He is down again this am. Today will make or break I think, wife is hand feeding him electrolites and food. I picked up special diet food for him as well.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I'm so glad you got him in yesterday!

Thinking of him, you and your wife today! Warmest wishes!! And thank you for the update!!

 

[mh434]

Parrots, believe it or not, are subject to gout, which can cause foot grasping problems (been there). Primarily caused by early-life poor nutrition...

I hope everything works out well!!! I hate hearing that one of our feathered friends is in distress!

 

[Scott]

Hope the lab report is good and he turns the corner positively this weekend!