Update on my cocketiel: liver probleM? huge dilemma?

Question

ok i took her to th evet and based on the full checkup blood test or something, there is something wrong with her liver. they have to do a follow up test to be sure.

yea, her droppings indicated there could be a problem.

if she was traumatized by falling into a fish pond the other day, and we found her cold shivering and toes bleeding, could that have been the cause of the liver problems? if so, that means we would have found the live rproblem since it started in 3 days -- i'm hoping this is a very hopeful thing?

she is currently not eating/drinking and having off color droppings, and the liver porblem. but she has shown almost no sign of real behavorial changes. she still flies, still chirps, still climbs around.

does this mean that she might be ok despite the dire diagnoses?

and another problem is tha tmy family and i (i'm 17) are leaving for cancun on tuesday (2 days from now). if my cockatiel won't eat alone, who could feed her? i think my father would have sucess hand feeding her if she would swallow, but he wont be there...

basically is there anyway to hand feed a cockatiel that is not really that tired (she still kicks around and bites alot if she doesn't like what you are doing) but won't eat and with what (please take into account her liver problems -> not sure what though, but its not fatty cell)? i need to know soon so i can give my relatives a crash course on how to do it

Answer 1

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Answer 2

liver disease in anyone human or bird is curable but it takes a long time,your bird flying into a fish pond,which baffles me,isn't very good because they are loaded with bacteria,so that being said,the pond incident could be the threshold to saving your birds life.

Call around or ask your avian vet if there is anywhere that you can keep your bird while you are away,if you lived near e I would take it and hand feed it and try to take care of it for that week ,but I don't know where you live.

Most people don't know that seeds are deadly to tiels,even though they love them they are very deadly,they can cut the life span in half.

Go on line to NSC and ask in the contact section if any one has any advice,there are virtually people all over the us in that society,I really wish I could help you ,but you need to get se food into this bird or it will die.Try making a hard boiled egg and mashing it up for her and she if that strikes up some interest.I wish you the best.

Answer 3

My guess is that either the fall into the pond led to some type of infection (perhaps bacterial) or it is unrelated to the liver issue.  Did your vet do any culture and sensitivity?  Started her on any antibiotics?

As far as supportive care, she needs to be kept warm and you must get some nourishment into her.  Right now you should set up a "hospital cage" for her.  An aquarium is best but if you don't have that, use a smaller cage.  Her movements need to be kept restricted so she doesn't expend whatever energy she DOES have.  And she must be kept warm.  An ill bird usually doesn't have the energy reserve to properly regulate its own temperature - which is higher than ours.

Once you have the aquarium or small cage set up, you'll need to provide a heat source.  This can be a heating pad.  If you're using a small cage, attach the pad next to a favorite perch with clothespins on the OUTSIDE of the cage.  Place a pillowcase in between the cage bars and the heating pad so she can't chew on the heating pad..  If you're using an aquarium, place the heating pad underneath half of the aquarium bottom.  The idea is to provide her with heat but to allow her to get away from the heat if she's too warm.  Cover the top of the aquarium with a sheet so most of the heat stays inside.  

You'll need a thermometer to check the temperature in the cage or aquarium.  You should keep the temperature at or around ninety (90) degrees.  This means the heating pad should probably be on "medium" setting.  Check the thermometer frequently to be sure it isn't getting too hot for your bird.

You'll also need to provide her with humidity.  Place a wet sponge in a plastic container with a hole in the top into the cage or aquarium.  Or if you're using a cage and have a humidifier, set it up near the cage but be sure it isn't blowing directly on your bird.

Now you need to get some food into her.  You'll either need to buy some hand feeding formula or grind up some Harrison's High Potency pellets.  Use a *clean* coffee grinder.  Mix with warm water and feed your bird as much as she will take at least twice a day, more if she isn't eating at all).  You can use a hand feeding syringe or a spoon.  If you can get this into her, you'll be providing her with extra calories and enough liquid to keep her hydrated.  If she'll take hand feeding more than twice a day, go ahead and offer it.

If you have a gram scale, you should weigh your bird twice a day.  Weigh her in the morning so you get an "empty" weight and again late in the day to see how much food she's consuming.  Keep a record for your vet.  

As far as your trip, you have a couple of choices.  You can explain to someone how to care for your bird and pray they DO it - or you can take your bird to the vet and let him keep your bird and treat it there.  Your vet is set up with an incubator to keep her warm and will know how and what to hand feed.  This is really the ideal situation.

IF you have other birds it is very important that you quarantine your sick cockatiel.  If you need help with quarantine procedures, please ask.

I hope this helps and that your little bird is well soon.

Colette

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Parro...

Answer 4

How the heck did she end up in a fish pond?????  This was not the cause of liver problems.  Too many seeds are the cause of liver problems.  She needs fruits and vegies.  For now offer her chopped veiges and food along with her seeds. She will eat.

The trip to the vet was a trauma like being in the fish pond.

She will be okay while you are in Cancun if someone is taking care of her.  She just needs more nutrition than seeds. Clip a salad leaf onto the side of the cage with a clothes pin - she will munch it and get some vitamin A.  

Answer 5

Gosh!  What has this cockatiel done to deserve this love?

Anyway, it's like this.  There are professional people who will feed and care for your bird.   Your bird will eat.  It simply fears that other people may not give it safe food in the right way.  

Hunger will overpower its fear.  If you want to go to Cancun without guilt, you'll have to accept that your pet is not 100% guaranteed to feel good.  Yeah, that IS a dilemma.