Rhyssa
Weaned Todd
Welcome to my menagerie!
Joined: December 2005
Posts: 94
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Post by Rhyssa on Aug 29, 2006 10:20:48 GMT -7
Please let me know if this is normal behavior. For the past couple of weeks, my tiel Merlin has been doing something new. Three times, two in the cage, once in the shower, all with me, he has acted like he is throwing up. He opens his beak really wide, acts like he is throwing up, then shakes his head a couple of times. We have had him for 3 1/2 years now and he has never done this before. He is still eating and drinking, but seems "different" somehow.  He still enjoys his time with me, but has seen many changes over the last year. We added two CAGs, a budgie, and one budgie died (the one that came home at the same time he did). He has always been loner bird. Here lately, he seems to sit more fluffed up with his head tucked down into his neck. He has been moulting in the last few weeks. He was always a slow moulter. It seems like he hasn't been preening as much either. I have left a message for my vet and talked to a breeder, but still wanted to consult my other "experts."  Hope you don't mind. Ever since Simeon died, I have been a little paranoid.  Thanks!! Karen |
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Preston
Super Talker
NEED HELP? WE WILL ANSWER AS FAST AS WE CAN (Note: Preston passed away in 2012. We hold his memories dearly, he was a great person and super moderator.)
Sisika and Pete
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 5,912
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Post by Preston on Aug 29, 2006 10:42:10 GMT -7
Hi Karen,
Sounds like sexual maturity to me. He wants to feed you as he would his mate. I have a breeding pair of Cockatiels and that's what they did. Sitting puffed could be a combination of frustration (sexual) and molting, but by all means have him checked by your vet. Tiels are different than Greys in behaviour, but I have 4 so your descriptions aren't anything I would worry about as it does become more infrequent with age. Barney still sits puffed and looks like Theodore Rosevelt saying "Bully" it is comical, but he doesn't try to feed my wife anymore.
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janet
Weaned Todd
Joined: August 2006
Posts: 31
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Post by janet on Aug 29, 2006 10:42:34 GMT -7
Does his nare seem enlarged or red? One of my cockatiels was doing that when she had a sinus infection! Her beak was very warm too...
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Rhyssa
Weaned Todd
Welcome to my menagerie!
Joined: December 2005
Posts: 94
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Post by Rhyssa on Aug 30, 2006 11:18:23 GMT -7
Janet, Not really, his nares are pink, maybe a little darker in one spot, but not enlarged. The beak is harder to tell, he doesn't like to be touched. The vet will see him tomorrow. she said it sounds like it could be the start of a respiratory infection (she has seen that start this way before).
You know, he has started behaving differently ever since the CAGs came along. Maybe this is all just part of it. In fact, he called for me when I brought them in here without him (never heard him make that noise before so it scared me). He is in here now sitting on my shoulder playing in my hair. He even started chewing on my ears and neck a few months ago. Today, for the first time, he reached out to give me a kiss on the lips (closed mouth) twice. Now his tongue was wet, which I thought odd.
Anyway, the vet is coming over tomorrow to get some swabs and see if he is okay.
I hope you are right Preston and he is just maturing. do they mature later? He is about 4 years old.
I love him and he seems to only want to be with me so I can't stand the thought of him being sick.
Thanks for replying. Will keep you updated.
Karen
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janet
Weaned Todd
Joined: August 2006
Posts: 31
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Post by janet on Aug 30, 2006 15:58:26 GMT -7
I hope he is ok!! I'll be watching for updates!
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Rhyssa
Weaned Todd
Welcome to my menagerie!
Joined: December 2005
Posts: 94
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Post by Rhyssa on Sept 7, 2006 6:25:01 GMT -7
Well, as it turns out, the vet thinks he has a respiratory infection. He is on antibiotics in his water. After the first day he already seems better! ;D I know he will stay on th antibiotics until it runs out whether he seems better or not. He is such a good, loving bird and the quietest of the lot LOL!
Is it possible I caught his infection cause now I have been sick, don't know if its allergies or cold. Ugh! I have been extreemely careful about washing my hands after dealing with him and always clean his cage and water last. Anything else I need to do? Can the other birds catch my cold if I have one? Unfortunately, I am pretty much the only one who is here to take care of them much of the time.
Thanks for your support!!!!! I couldn't stand the thought of anything bad happening to any of my babies.
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Post by Jane on Sept 8, 2006 8:28:55 GMT -7
Viruses are usually species specific so I wouldn't think it likely that the other birds will catch your cold if that is what you have but humans and birds are susceptible to bacteria. I think you just need to be extra careful, as you are.
Jane
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He still enjoys his time with me, but has seen many changes over the last year. We added two CAGs, a budgie, and one budgie died (the one that came home at the same time he did). He has always been loner bird. 
Hope you don't mind. Ever since Simeon died, I have been a little paranoid. 
