My cockatiel Max is 20 + years old. He is getting weaker, as I would expect with an old bird, but today is sitting on the bottom of his cage. Just resting as he would do on his perch. I’m scared to death he is going to die in front of me. It sounds silly I know. But I just don’t want him to suffer. I have a call in to my bird vet, though I’m not sure there is much they can do. I guess I am wondering since I’ve never seen him do this.
Jingles!! Is he breathing normally? Any discharge from his nose? Wheezing? Is he eating/drinking?
Keep him warm and quiet untill vet calls back.
20+ years is very old for a Cockatiel. My advice would be to keep him warm and comfortable. Offer him his very favorite foods and enjoy your final days together. He won’t suffer. Birds do not show illness until they are in bad shape. I’m sorry you may be losing on your bird, but at 20+ you gave him a great life.
Actually this afternoon he made it up to his perch and has been eating (alot)! And even seems a tiny bit more perky. His cage is next to our woodstove; a warm spot in the house. I put a little dish towel on the floor of his cage so he has a softer spot there. The vet actually told me to dissolve an aspirin in 1 cup of water and give it to him as his drinking water! I’m kind of scared to do it. It sounds like alot of aspirin for a birdy weighing a few ounces.
Thanks for your advice guys!
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Jingles!! Is he breathing normally? Any discharge from his nose? Wheezing? Is he eating/drinking?
Keep him warm and quiet untill vet calls back.[/QUOTE]
Your bird vet is Not a bird vet if he told you to give him an aspirin. I have 6 large parrots for 20 plus years and can tell you aspirin is not a usual med for birds. For all you know, even though he is aged he could have an infection. I don’t know where you live but look for an experienced aav bird vet and get there quick and see what is going on with your baby…meanwhile keep him warm and if he is at the bottom of cage Bring food and water down to him or her.
Thank you! I kind of agree and have not given him any. He is much better today! He’s mobile and eating well and even a little less fluffed up. I did move him closer to the woodstove and covered him last night (which I usually don’t do) just in case of a draft.
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Your bird vet is Not a bird vet if he told you to give him an aspirin. I have 6 large parrots for 20 plus years and can tell you aspirin is not a usual med for birds. For all you know, even though he is aged he could have an infection. I don’t know where you live but look for an experienced aav bird vet and get there quick and see what is going on with your baby…meanwhile keep him warm and if he is at the bottom of cage Bring food and water down to him or her.[/QUOTE]
Glad to hear he’s feeling a little better today. Fluffed and at the bottom of the cage is a bad sign, I would advise you to find a (new!) bird vet to get him checked out and see what’s going on. The biggest thing for stressed birds is keeping them warm enough and dark. Helps to decrease their stress some.
And I absolutely would not give him any aspirin. I’m not a bird person but I am friends with a leading avian/exotics specialist and she never would give out that advice!
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Thank you! I kind of agree and have not given him any. He is much better today! He’s mobile and eating well and even a little less fluffed up. I did move him closer to the woodstove and covered him last night (which I usually don’t do) just in case of a draft.[/QUOTE]
Glad to hear he is acting better, but you really need to get him/ her to a good avian vet ASAP. Even though your bird is elderly he may have several years left so he needs to be seen now!
bottom of the cage and fluffed is serious stuff even if he is acting OK right now, they just don’t come out of it.
Is there a pet store near you? They usually sell Doxycycline non-prescription, just add it to the water. Look for ‘Bird Biotic’ or something similar.
And yes cover cage, but make sure air can get in. Keep him warm, but be careful of fumes from the stove
This may be helpful
www.beautyofbirds.com/sickbirdsymptoms.html
Dr.Diane Kuuehn in Billings Mt (406)-656-6320 may be the closest avian vet.
Thank you kind bird experts! (Billings is 8 hours from us)
Not alot of resources in this state I’m afraid. I don’t think at this point for Max transporting him is a good idea. He is so old and frail and I’m afraid the stress might do him more harm than good. He seems to be feeling much better esp now that I’m keeping him warmer so as long as he seems content I’m going to let him be. He’s eating well and getting around well now. I know he’s going to die sometime but I will never be ready. I just want to keep him comfortable. (I’ve had him for 20 yrs and he was a few years old when I got him!)
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Thank you kind bird experts! (Billings is 8 hours from us)
Not alot of resources in this state I’m afraid. I don’t think at this point for Max transporting him is a good idea. He is so old and frail and I’m afraid the stress might do him more harm than good. He seems to be feeling much better esp now that I’m keeping him warmer so as long as he seems content I’m going to let him be. He’s eating well and getting around well now. I know he’s going to die sometime but I will never be ready. I just want to keep him comfortable. (I’ve had him for 20 yrs and he was a few years old when I got him!)[/QUOTE]
Wow, you have done a great job if he was a few years old when you got him and you have had him 20+ years, good for you!
Some vets will do a phone consult if the bird cannot be transported…I know one in Fla who does them, PM me if you feel you want to talk with her.
Do keep him warm by covering the back and sides of the cage and leave the front open so he can see you. Keep him well fed and hydrated and enjoy him!! Please keep us posted!
He’s an extreme senior citizen. You might order some vitamins (there are some online bird supply stores) to add to his water, but he’s OLD. You’ve probably been taking amazing care of him as most of the small ones don’t get to their maximum lifespans, so I’d just be extra careful about drafts and keeping him warm and otherwise keep doing what your’e doing as whatever it is has obviously been great for him.
