Help Please With My Bird!!!!!!

[lilbumbleybees]

I have a Luntino Peach Faced Lovebird. He's maybe roughly a year old, just a bit younger maybe. It's been a week since I've had time to actually take him out and play with him,. but he's been acting fine and chirping and talking to us like he always does until tonight he kept making this sound like a dog wimpering. I went to see what was wrong. Sometimes he just imitates the yorkies when they whine. But he's super skinny and lethargic!!! He was FINE this morning! But since I haven't actually gotten him out to play with him all week I never noticed his actual size underneath all his feathers. He won't even nibble my finger when I hold him like he always does! Does ANYONE know ANYTHING about birds or know of a good forum I can get on real quick and maybe find something! I am two seconds from hopping in the car and running to the emergency vet! Please help if you can?!

[Thorsmomma]

I have a love bird too. Does your bird have some kind of treat you can offer her to entice her to eat? Is she getting enough water? Maybe you could dipper feed her. I don't really know what else to say. I hope she's okay. Please keep us updated!!

[chattiesmom]

I do not have a bird, but did a lot of bird research during a period of time when I was considering purchasing an African Grey. Everything I read said that when birds "act sick" they usually are sick. Try to find a Certified Avian Veternarian and take that poor baby in ASAP.

[lilbumbleybees]

Originally Posted by Thorsmomma

I have a love bird too. Does your bird have some kind of treat you can offer her to entice her to eat? Is she getting enough water? Maybe you could dipper feed her. I don't really know what else to say. I hope she's okay. Please keep us updated!!

He won't touch his water, or even his millet and he always goes NUTS for his millet! It's so unlike Frankie. Now dipper feeding, I have not heard of that (*eek* gosh i feel like such a bad mom right now!). Any direction you can point me in for that. It's so late (almost midnight here), I'm considering keeping an eye on him all night and taking him to the vet first thing at 7am before I head to work if there is no change in his behavior. We're out of fresh bananas. All I have are the ones that I let brown to use in smoothies since they're sweeter that way. Is it OK for him to have those you think? If he'd even try and eat it. He just sits in my lap like he's lifeless. barely even holds on to my fingers when I try to get him to perch there like he always does.

[alaskayorkie]

We have birds, and my wife's pretty good with them. She agrees with chattiesmom, especially if the bird is not eating. Seek a vet asap.

A couple obvious questions: What do you feed it? Any changes in diet this week?

Reason I ask is a lot of people feed their birds seed only, and that's considered insufficient. Also, some birds leave the husk of the seed in their bowl, so their bowls look full yet there's nothing in it.

But I'm just guessing. Better to seek a vet.

[lilbumbleybees]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

We have birds, and my wife's pretty good with them. She agrees with chattiesmom, especially if the bird is not eating. Seek a vet asap.

A couple obvious questions: What do you feed it? Any changes in diet this week?

Reason I ask is a lot of people feed their birds seed only, and that's considered insufficient. Also, some birds leave the husk of the seed in their bowl, so their bowls look full yet there's nothing in it.

But I'm just guessing. Better to seek a vet.

He does eat only seed. But there has been no change in it since October. I change out his food bowl every two days. What else should I be feeding him in addition to the seed. Lordy, this all makes me feel sooo retarded for not knowing this sooner! I think I'm going to take ya'lls advice and head to the vet. I'll keep everyone updated. Pray for him!

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by lilbumbleybees

He does eat only seed. But there has been no change in it since October. I change out his food bowl every two days. What else should I be feeding him in addition to the seed. Lordy, this all makes me feel sooo retarded for not knowing this sooner! I think I'm going to take ya'lls advice and head to the vet. I'll keep everyone updated. Pray for him!

Don't feel bad. A lot of people feed seed only. Birds are just healthier if they get a more diverse diet. We feed our macaw, conyure and budgie fresh fruit, pasta, veggies and pelletted food (harrison's is considered among the best).

I googled "lovebirds and diet" and got this:
Lovebirds require more than just seed. A pelleted diet, supplemented with fresh fruits, vegetables, boiled eggs, cereals, pasta, rice, and lentils will produce a heathly, beautifully feathered Lovebird. Many Lovebird breeders also feed a seed-based diet, with most of the other foods as supplements. A seed-based diet must consist of a mixture of seeds and grains. Canary seed, millet, rice, oats, safflower and a small amount of sunflower are the most popular parts of these seed mixes. Corn is often a big hit with Lovebirds, as is sprouted seed. Lovebirds also tend to drink a lot of water, and must have fresh water available at all times.

Birds LOVE millet, but my wife says it's just candy for them. She says if your bird isn't eating it now, she's sick.

Good luck.

[chattiesmom]

First of all, don't feel guilty, that is counter-productive. You are doing the very best you can with what knowledge you have. Let's get Frankie well and then broaden your knowledge base and learn what to do in case of future emergencies.

This is what I understand about birds, if it scares you, I am very sorry. Everyone I talked to when I was trying to glean as much info as I could about the Africa Greys told me this...... Birds have a survival instinct that tells them to appear well, a sick bird means an easy prey. So when a bird appears sick it is because he is not able to appear well. Does that make any sense?

I wouldn't spend a lot of time trying to "guess" what is wrong. You need to find an vet who KNOWS birds, that is why I suggested an Avian Vet.

One other suggestion, you might go on line and try to find a bird forum. Maybe someone there could offer some suggestions that might help until the morning. Why do emergencies ALWAYS happen at night?

Good luck to you, dear, please keep us posted.

[KimMee's Mom]

How is your bird? I hope he is getting better.

[BamaFan121s]

Not sure about Love Birds, I have a Cockatiel, but I can throw some suggestions out, won't hurt. Does he need a friend...aren't Love Birds very social? Are you giving him Vitamin supplements in his water? Are you sure he is a HE? This is how Aussie and Piper would act right before they would lay eggs...

(Which, BTW, we seem to have solved the egg-laying problem. )

[lilbumbleybees]

Well I REALLY appreciate everyone's enormous wealth in information and help you all gave me last night. Unfortuantely, Frankie didn't make it through the night. The one thing I learned online last night was that they hide sickness very well. Which in turn would probably be why he appeared chirpy and happy and fine to me all week, including yesterday afternoon until that night hit and he just couldn't do it anymore. It's so strange coming home and not hearing him "talk" when I come in the door. My dad said he even knew the sound of my car, b/c anyone else would drive up and he's stay quiet, but when I got home he's chirp and talk and talk like he'd won the lottery. haha I guess if anything I've learned I just need to keep a better eye on them...if I get another one. I'd like to...just not so soon. Frankie was Frankie. No bird could ever be like him. Again, thank you all so much for your help. I feel like such a bad parent, but I guess all I can do is learn from the mistakes I made and never make them again. May my sweet Frankie rest in peace.

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by lilbumbleybees

Well I REALLY appreciate everyone's enormous wealth in information and help you all gave me last night. Unfortuantely, Frankie didn't make it through the night. The one thing I learned online last night was that they hide sickness very well. Which in turn would probably be why he appeared chirpy and happy and fine to me all week, including yesterday afternoon until that night hit and he just couldn't do it anymore. It's so strange coming home and not hearing him "talk" when I come in the door. My dad said he even knew the sound of my car, b/c anyone else would drive up and he's stay quiet, but when I got home he's chirp and talk and talk like he'd won the lottery. haha I guess if anything I've learned I just need to keep a better eye on them...if I get another one. I'd like to...just not so soon. Frankie was Frankie. No bird could ever be like him. Again, thank you all so much for your help. I feel like such a bad parent, but I guess all I can do is learn from the mistakes I made and never make them again. May my sweet Frankie rest in peace.

I'm sorry for your loss. Frankie sounds like he was a terrific pet. Dog, horse, bird, fish, it doesn't matter. They become family, and it hurts to lose them. Frankie knew he was loved. And don't ever blame yourself. Birds have sensitive systems, and you roll the dice when you get them sometimes. You did the best you can.

[YorkieShadow]

Im so sorry for your loss.

[chattiesmom]

I am so very sorry you lost Frankie. What a beautiful bird! Sending hugs.....

cindy

[lilbumbleybees]

Thank you all so much