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Post by hlupton on Jan 19, 2015 13:55:39 GMT -5
In the introduction thread I told a little bit about my 5 month old blue quaker Luna/Yogi (blood work not back yet). I bought him from a breeder in NC (im in OK) who pulls the chicks the start hand feeding at 2 weeks old. She allows them abudence wean, and to fledge before clipping wings. She sent me pictures and he looked really good. Anyway, He was flown in on wednesday night (BTW I would not recommend using United Petsafe. I picked him up at 10pm and the last time they had given him water was 2pm and he had none left. They also lost him. I promise I'm not bashing them just telling about my experiance). After I got him home I talked him out of the carrier and put him in his new cage. The next day I noticed he was eating very little if any, and while I wasn't sure about the water I had never seen him drink (he was also carrying his tail very oddly), but I thought he's okay just stressed from the flight. But when friday came and he still had not eaten or drank any water I started to get worried so I found took him to the nearest vet to me who works with birds. That vet said it was caused by stress.
About 4 hours later he got in the bottom of his cage, so I took him to the only avian vet near me over 40 miles away. When I got there the vet checked him over and told me she wanted to put him in ICU overnight with heat, oxygen therapy and a nebulizing treament. They told me he had a respitory infection. (they also said his tail carriage might be from stress or trama from the flight. I'll post a picture of his tail here later.) The next night I was allowed to take him home.
Now he has been home for 2 days and he's still not acting to good, but I've never had to care for a sick birdie. I added a heat lamp for him above his cage. It's a reptile heat lamp with a 75w blub, does anyone know if that's to hot or not hot enough? Anyway, he is eating and drinking better than he was but still not much. He sits in one spot in his cage and never moves. Is this normal for a sick quaker? ANY advice on caring for my baby is verrry much aprechiated! (sorry for my horrid spelling!)
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Post by easttex on Jan 19, 2015 14:21:01 GMT -5
I think the wisest course is for you to call the avian vet and describe what you're seeing. If he was well enough to take home, I would expect him to look a bit better by now, but your vet would be best able to discuss that with you. For now, I wouldn't put the heat bulb very close, but would ensure a comfortable room temperature and perhaps a cover for three sides of the cage. Make sure there are no drafts, and keep him away from noise and bright lights. Keep us posted!
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Post by msdani1981 on Jan 21, 2015 3:41:34 GMT -5
Please keep us posted! So sorry you're dealing with this!
One of our "old" (sorry Weeza, you know I love you!) members swore by putting a little bit of apple cider vinegar in the water. I'm not exactly sure what it does, but it does help.
The heat lamp is a good idea, and so is the suggestion to cover the cage on three sides. Your baby will tell you if (s)he is too hot, s(he) will "pant" like a dog, and hold his/her feathers slicked flat against the body. If (s)he is too cold, the feathers will be held out, all fluffy.
When any of our birds have been sick, we've made a hospital tank. We use a clean 10 gallon aquarium with a mesh top, line the bottom with hand towels with paper towels over the top (to monitor droppings). We put their food and water on one end, and cover the mesh top on that side with a towel. On the other end we put a heating pad and a lamp with a flexible neck, to direct the light. We put their favorite toy in with them, so they won't stress about the new surroundings.
I hope this helps!
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Post by hlupton on Jan 22, 2015 5:30:41 GMT -5
I found out from the breeder that I have a baby boy  I've named him Yogi. Yogi is doing a lot better he's eating and drinking a lot more. He's still not very active while in his cage but when I finally coaxed him to come out he was very active and wanted to explore (as long as I was in the floor with him). I never thought I would be excited to hear such loud noises from him but I am! He finally got comfy enough to let out several yells at me when I stopped reading to him last night. Thank you both so much for your advice! |
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Post by msdani1981 on Jan 22, 2015 13:46:27 GMT -5
OMG, huge sigh of relief!!! I've been thinking of your baby BOY (congratulations!) a lot. I'm so happy that he seems to be on the mend, and getting comfortable with you.  |
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Post by easttex on Jan 22, 2015 15:04:51 GMT -5
Great news! It can be very hard to read birds when it comes to illness. Everything in them tells them not to look vulnerable, so when they actually look sick you know you have to take it seriously. I'm very glad he is on the mend.
Just try to remember in a year or two how once upon a time his loud noises were pure music to your ears. |
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Post by biteybird on Jan 22, 2015 19:02:07 GMT -5
Just try to remember in a year or two how once upon a time his loud noises were pure music to your ears. Ah yes, I can't remember the serenity I must have had prior to 12 months ago...
Welcome to Yogi! I'm glad he seems a bit better and I am sure you two will be just fine. Please let us know how you are both going now and then!
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Post by Jan and Shah on Jan 22, 2015 19:57:05 GMT -5
Shah was quiet for the first 3 weeks - and then it started. I especially love the way he nuzzles up to my ear and then screams into it. No wonder my hearing is fading. Welcome Yogi |
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Post by cnyguy on Jan 22, 2015 20:25:36 GMT -5
Good to hear that Yogi is becoming more active and vocal. |
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Post by aaron on Jan 23, 2015 11:13:48 GMT -5
Glad to hear of this recovery! Good stuff. I really think my hearing has gotten substantially worse over the past 2.5 years that we've had Cupcake, and she is relatively good about being quiet. |
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Post by julianna on Jan 28, 2015 9:54:32 GMT -5
Wow...quite the story. It must be awful when your pet is sick and you are not sure of how to help. I am so glad Yogi is doing much better.. a very heart warming ending.
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Post by hlupton on Feb 7, 2015 15:53:33 GMT -5
Yes Yogi is doing soo much better! He's now a little blue pig and he's still not really active. To be honest I think I got a really lazy baby boy . I also wanted to recommend if any users live in Oklahoma Neel Vet. is the absolute best avian vet around. I took him to 3 different ones around here and only Neel caught the problem. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you all for your support! |
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I've named him Yogi.
