Not looking good for poor Bunsen. I took both the birds to the avian vet this week, and was told that there was a good chance Bunsen wouldn't live to adulthood. She's underweight, and has been put on a course of clavulox, which she is reluctant to take (it's hilarious - when i grab her in the flannel she clamps her beak as tight shut as she can!)

 

I rang the vet's back today to get some advice, because I've noticed she's spending a lot of time eating and the consistancy of her poos has changed - sometimes solid and light greenish, sometimes solid with seed in it, and sometimes liquidy. I'm worried she's not getting the nutrition she needs (and yes, I'm aware that seed is not the best thing but I need to research my options better). I wanted to have a chat with one of the vet's, but the nurse advised me that I take her straight in ASAP. She's cheerful, playing, chirping (and climbed up my arm!) and looking like a happy bird - she's just not entirely well. I'm going to take her tomorrow, but I can't help but wonder if it's a knee-jerk reaction or if I'm doing the right thing!

 

Also, when the vet looked at Beaker earlier in the week, he couldn't find any reason why Beaker wouldn't be flying. He said her wings were normal, her crop sample was normal, everything about her was perfect - she just doesn't fly. He suggested it could be that she suffered a fracture some time ago, which has weakened her body structure which is why she can't get any lift or direction, but we may never know. It's sad, because she started off flying, but I guess she doesn't seem so bothered. She has the rabbit, and she can climb *really* well (I just saw her climb up the clothes horse for the first time ever! She so good at climbing, my friend calls her 'sherpa Beaker').

 

I really hope Bunsen pulls through. She's such an adorable, friendly little thing, I would really hate to see her little life cut off so short. (My poor rabbit's got an eye ulcer too at the moment, so I'm just a tad stressed out emotionally, physically and financially )

Awe hugs, I saw the cute pics of Bunsen he did look under the weather but still so beautiful. Has your avian vet suggested x-rays or blood work, I know expensive but according to our a. vet that is the only way you can get to the bottom of the health issues with them. Since you can't feel their internal organs because of the keel bone.

 

From everything I read green poos can be liver related and that can be controlled if not too bad by diet.

 

Keep us updated and I hope Bunsen pulls through.

Thanks for the reply Elly - she does look very small, but the good news is that she's put on 3 grams since those photos were taken!!

 

Back at the vets today, the news was much much better. Polyoma and PBFD have all but been ruled out, and as mentioned above, she's put on weight and is now 22.3g up from 19g on Tuesday. She's lost her 'puffball' appearance, and seems to be more 'budgie shaped' and streamline.

 

I saw a different vet today, and she was much more positive about Bunsen's condition. She did mention that at Bunsen's weight and condition, blood tests and x-rays could be potentially fatal if she goes into shock, so they weren't done. But regardless, it appears whatever bug she did have has been blasted by the antibiotics. They did another test on her feaces, and there was a bit of yeast and just one coccidia present. She didn't think it was cause for alarm, but gave her a dose of something that treats coccidiosis anyway which Busen *really* didn't like the taste of. Bunsen now has probiotics in her water, and is on Nilstat twice daily. She still has the heatlamp on, and she's expected to pull through as long as there are no changes in her weight or condition- I think all the sudden onset of constant eating is a sign that she's on the mend!

 

(currently, both birds are chirping to each other from their respective rooms )

sounds like a nice start on the road of recovery.

Yes I agree Nerwen sounds like a good road to recovery. Your vet if right I know they said that with Pretty that because he was so weak they where not going to do any tests because he could die right there . Keep us updated about this little sweet girl