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Ask the Veterinarian/Worried about new lovebird

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Expert: - 1/27/2011


Question
We recently lost our lovebird.  She died and I don't know why.  It shocked me because she seemed so healthy and active.  We got a new lovebird from a store that claimed the bird just "needed attention" because no one spent time with it.  This bird is nothing like our old bird and seems sick....but I am not sure.  It's possible that I am paranoid given what happened to our other bird. The new bird will only let me hold him if he can sleep in my arms.  He is afraid of any social contact.  He sleeps a lot!  He doesn't play at all.  His stools are black and white.  He is losing feathers but that might be stress.  He eats but not much.  Does it sound like he is sick?  We have only had him for a few days.

Answer
Rebecca,
I am not the bird expert but any bird that acts that way would worry me too. I would have a vet evaluate this bird and if he is ill I would return him. He isn't going to be a nice bird if he is afraid of social contact now. He may be shy and young, and you might want to give him a week to adjust, but as I said I am not an expert so I don't really know.

You can re-post this to the bird experts in here but if it were my bird I would have the vet look him over then return him if he was sick.

You can reach a bird expert here:
It says budgies but he does other birds as well.
http://www.allexperts.com/el/Budgies/

Mostly call your vet or a avian vet in your town.  

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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