I don't know how many of you remember this, but when I first started here Buster was really really sick with some kind of infection that caused internal bleeding... Now Buster AND Fez are sick with the same thing. Fez didn't need a lot of help and got better without needing to see a vet or take any medication but Buster is terribly sick and had to see a vet. He's back on the same antibiotics he was on the first time. Why would Buster get worse while Fez gets better? What could they be getting into that's causing this? Amira has not gotten sick (thank god) but is in all the same places that Buster and Fez are.

Got anymore details? What did the vet say was the diagnosis and what tests were run? What are the symptoms? Is it an avian vet?

 

Sorry for all the questions but I just want to get a better understanding of the situation. Sounds very scary for you.

They didn't do any tests at all!?! She wanted to do xrays (last time) but they were waaaay over what I could afford. I assume since the antibiotics cleared it up last time (Buster is looking much better today) that it has to be some kind of infection. I had to go to a regular vet that sees birds this time because my car has pretty much gone to the great highway in the sky at this point and I couldn't make a 70 mile drive. So nothing really was done I just got new antibiotics... I got a try this and if he's not better come back kind of thing.

Edited July 26, 200618 yr by Celeste

In your pictures I see that they play alot on the floor is this true? Pieces of fuzz, carpeting, dirty from shoes and more is a breeding ground for germs. Now we don't wear our shoes in our house but still the dirt and the **** that is in the carpet that we can't see or even the chemicals you clean your carpet with could be making them sick. I don't let my birds on the ground for safety issues plus the above.

They play on the floor maybe every other day for a half hour or so. The carpet has never been cleaned (it was replaced in late December) and is vacuumed everyday (neatfreak (but I never ever use any chemicals around the birds, they go outside while I clean until the smells are gone and everything is dry)) but I know that the fibers are full on chemicals and crud anyway. The thing is that they haven't been out on the floor in a week or so. I think I'm going to have to go with your plan Lovey and not let them be out on the floor anymore.

I'm so sorry that you have to go through this again with poor little Buster..

 

Can I please ask what are the symptoms? When was the last time Buster was sick??

 

The reason why I ask this is because a friend of mine had a lovebird who was very sick on and off for a three months period. Towards the end of the three months he was having seizures. She took him to three avian vet before finally realising what was wrong. The first two avian vets thought it was either infections or megabacteria, but it turned out to be metal poisoning. The lovie somehow manage to get a hold of a piece of metal bits and swallowed it. Unfortunately the diagnosis came too late, and the little one didn't make it.

 

Oh, I'm just mentioning it as a possibility that's all. Not saying that that's what they have. I hope they get better soon.

Edited July 26, 200618 yr by Cheeta

Cheeta I am glad you brought that one up because, I have read alot on that but at times I forget to mention it. It can be as simple as them chewing on a stereo wire when they are out, it may not even be in the cage but out where they fly around. Keys, stereo wires anything... excellent point Cheeta

I try to keep my birds off the floor as much as possible but my lovebirds are bad in that they both jump off onto the floor or use a ladder (as I was scared of them falling and hurting themselves) to race across the living room, scale the couch cover and be with me. They used to have their cages across the room from each other and used to charge across the floor a lot which I didn't like as I thought they might get stepped on even though it's just me here usually and I lock them in when I have company. The other birds stay off the floor unless the two that can't fly fall on it. Good Birds! :fear Hope you can find out exactly what is making your bird ill Celeste.

Edited July 27, 200618 yr by Phoebe

Sorry this took so long, I'm still computer free at the moment. I can't think of anything metal that he could be getting into save for the bells on his toys (they don't have lead clappers or anything like that and there's no rust). When I get home I'll go on a metal hunt in his cage and in the places where they play. I did notice that when I separated Buster from Fez he was better and when they were back together he was sick again (odd, I think maybe Fez is keeping him from the food).

 

His symptoms were: dehydration, bloody stool, dull eyes, not active, fluffy. Last time he was vomiting but I caught this much faster and was able to keep him hydrated after I saw what was going on, I think it might have been related to that. He's looking much better today

why not keep them apart for a couple days because maybe you nailed it on the head about the food issue. that is what I would do to see if there is a difference

Yup, that's what I'm doing. It wouldn't explain that he'd been sick like this before I got Fez. I got my computer back *woot*, it's STILL broken and they sent it to the wrong address *unwoot*

Edited July 29, 200618 yr by Celeste

how has he been doing?

He's acting like his normal self, misses Fez, his poos are looking a lot better

Hopefully he's over the worst of it and will stay well this time.

That sounds better.