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Post by Jan and Shah on Mar 31, 2015 20:37:05 GMT -5
The first time I saw regurgitation, I thought Shah was choking. I do distract him when he does it and havent seen this behaviour in well over 12 months. Guess he has given up on me  |
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Post by aaron on Apr 1, 2015 12:31:18 GMT -5
Good news! We called the vet today and they said that Cupcake's bloodwork came out completely normal. So that is quite a relief. I guess that means it is a mystery why her poop has that slight odor. If it continues too long or worsens I will have to investigate if there are any avenues that this testing did not cover. But she seems totally healthy and happy... So I guess in the meantime I will do Apple cider vinegar in her water for a while and put some more effort into improving her diet even further.
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Post by julianna on Apr 1, 2015 13:20:15 GMT -5
That is really great news aaron... I had never heard of those symptoms before so I was worried. I think you are on the right track with improving the diet. Thumbs up!
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Post by Jan and Shah on Apr 1, 2015 15:38:21 GMT -5
Aaron, would anything in her diet be contributing to it?
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Post by aaron on Apr 1, 2015 16:07:30 GMT -5
Jan, not that I can think of. Unless the processed nature of pellets is not working for her. I know they are better than seeds but processed food is not good for humans and is thus probably not ideal for birds either. I think some things might be lacking, like green vegetables... She really only wants to eat cucumbers (and just the center) when it comes to green veggies... And zucchini sometimes. I hope that her voracious consumption of lentil sprouts makes up for it. I really try to keep her from eating added salt but there was definitely a period of time in her life when her diet was bad. She was on seeds when we got her and we also let her eat some junk food at first as well out of ignorance. So I do wonder if the initial part of her life created an ongoing problem that lasts even though the initial cause was resolved. Really not sure.
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Post by Jan and Shah on Apr 1, 2015 22:00:37 GMT -5
Aaron, her previous lifestyle may be the problem. It is hard when the bird only wants to eat certain things. Shah loves peas - he gets a variety of peas and corn(fresh) - he loves grapes (but I peel them due to possible spraying of chemicals) and baby spinach. He also loves frozen peas and corn for his supper - I just run them under hot water to thaw them out. Do you think Cupcake would like peas? Shah also has loose peas in his foraging tray. He is obsessed with peas. And, just an aside, if I am late with his supper, when I put it in his cage, he grizzles at me with a piece of corn hanging out of his beak so I tell him "dont talk with your mouth full cos I cant understand you".
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Post by cnyguy on Apr 1, 2015 22:08:32 GMT -5
Peas are one of Ralph's favorites too, especially fresh ones. Particular Ralph must have each pea sliced in half when they're in his food dish, but if he's eating them straight from the pod, he'll eat them whole, and prefers removing them from the pod by himself, with no help from me, than you very much. I'd try continuing offering different vegetables to Cupcake, prepared in different ways, knowing full well that I'd be throwing out lots of uneaten food. But persistence can pay off. Ralph steadfastly refused to eat broccoli, but after 8 months of trying, he finally tasted it and decided it wasn't so bad after all, and now eats it regularly. I still can't get anywhere with carrots or sweet potatoes, but they're orange and are rejected for that reason alone. |
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Post by rickygonzalez on Apr 1, 2015 23:42:36 GMT -5
Great news Aaron, Hope the acv helps. Keep us posted.
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Post by aaron on Apr 2, 2015 8:50:31 GMT -5
Yeah, I think her previous life is at least a major part of the problem. We haven't tried uncooked peas, but she doesn't like cooked peas. She does like sweet potato and butternut squash and does get those occasionally. I think we will just have to keep trying different things. I just wish she would eat something leafy and green. She finds such things completely unacceptable and will sometimes take a bite but always spits it out. Thanks for the help guys!
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Post by julianna on Apr 2, 2015 12:25:51 GMT -5
The leafy green that I would recommend is romaine lettuce. Oscar eats a whole leaf every day and when I offered some to the Quaker a the sitters house... he devoured it. The sitter says that this is now his favorite also. Just a suggestion.
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Post by aaron on Apr 2, 2015 16:57:41 GMT -5
Thanks! I think we have tried romaine but perhaps didn't try hard enough. I will give it another shot.
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Post by Jan and Shah on Apr 2, 2015 17:12:47 GMT -5
All you can do is to keep trying. Use lots of vegetables and fruit - one at a time. Eat it in front of him and make yummy sounds. If he wants it, say no - in a way you are teasing him so he will eat it. Most quakers want what we are eating. Perseverance is the key here. Make sure you are relaxed when you are giving him the food. These are things you are probably already doing any way but just thought I would throw them in anyway. Don't give up |
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Post by aaron on Apr 3, 2015 19:34:23 GMT -5
Thanks Jan! I think we could be a bit more persistent. Certainly won't give up... Sometimes it is hard to get beyond the normal routine with this stuff when life is busy, which it often is for us. But we will make it even more of a priority. After all, our family is totally in love with this bird. Gotta take care of our little lady as best we can.
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Post by aaron on Apr 6, 2015 0:20:38 GMT -5
Finally back home from Disney. I need a vacation after this vacation.
We pick up Cupcake from my parents' house tomorrow. It is weird being home without her. Not that she would be awake right now anyhow, but still...
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Post by easttex on Apr 6, 2015 4:39:24 GMT -5
Welcome back! Funny how such a diminutive creature can fill up a house, but they do. |
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