Hello,

I have a 4 month old parrot that is acting unusual today.
I have him on a diet of tropimix small parrot, tropican pellets, zupreem pellets, harrisons fine pellets and vita prima large hookbill formula, as well as human food. (eggs, beans, quinoi, wheat pasta, veggies... etc.) He gets very little fruit.
This morning started out with him not wanting to come out of his cage, and he wouldn't take his usual morning treat (pumpkin seed). I fed him, went to work... come home to find that he has not touched his food (to my knowledge) and is in his little sleeping tent. I offered him a seed and he took it and dropped it - this is when I noticed he had some sticky saliva coming from his beak. I changed his papers after coming home (but they are 1.5 day old... couldn't see anything unusual)... after the paper change, I just noticed a clear wet spot - maybe from saliva or just urates? I have a heat lamp set up for him... He looks fine, bright eyes.. etc.
My husband fell asleep with the television and lights on last night... so it could be that he didn't get any sleep last night.
I know the recommendation is to obviously take him to the vet... however, I live in a small town with no city centre close. The clinic is closed and certainly is not an avian clinic. Just wondering if anyone has ever experienced this before... or if you have any suggestions of what I can do or what I can ask from the vet (as they will have no experience).

Welcome fellow Canadian!

I would keep him nice and warm and make sure he gets a good night sleep.If he doesn't perk up tomorrow then I think a vet visit is necessary. Many avian vets will assist local vets via phone for those of you who are in smaller areas. Good luck, keep us updated

If you do go to the vet, ask for a gram stain to be done, a simple procedure, he needs to poop on something! Do you weigh him regularly, has he lost weight?

Thank you,

Can I bring in a fresh "poop" sample, or does he have to poop there in the clinic? (Not that he has even pooped since I have been home.)

I weigh him monthly. He had gained 10 grams in the last month, weighing 95 grams a week ago. I will weigh him tomorrow morning. I don't want to interupt his sleep right now. I will keep the heat lamp on over night, hopefully he gets better by the morning.

He just pooped... white, liquid and pink... so obviously blood. Not good. Not sure what to do what right now... will make a few phone calls.

Where do you live? Perhaps there is a 24 hour vet somewhere close that you can at least call? Are you sure it's blood, does he eat colored pellets?

I wonder if he's ingested something he shouldn't have. My QP has permanent plastic in him from something he ate as a baby.

Here's a list of Canadian vets who are either certified or will see birds, hopefully one will do a phone consult with you or your vet

http://www.parrotscanada.com/services/avianvets.html

I live in Nelson, BC. Yes, I am sure it is blood... it is light red. I called the emergency after hours number at the Vancouver Night Owl Hospital, they couldn't tell me much but to take him in to be seen. They did say that they could consult with my vet. I will call my vet and see what he says. There also is a wild bird sanctuary here that I will contact too.

He does have 2 plastic dishes... the only other things I can think of is that I just recently put in one of those weaved paper toys that they love to rip apart. Other than that... he just has your standard bird toys. Plastic, wood, rope etc.

Thanks for the links

He did come down and ate a few seeds... waiting to hear back from the vet.

Night Owl & Dr McDonald is the best there is! I knew she would consult!!

Please keep us updated on your baby.

Just looking for an update.....