Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 11/28/2006

Question
Yes, I do need help locating a vet for my bird. I live in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Thank you for your prompt reply, it was very helpful.
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I just got this bird about 2 weeks ago after she'd been abandoned for 2 months. I was told that she was locked in her cage and never was able to fly for 2 years. When i got her thee first thing i did was open the cage so she can come out freely and comfortably. She's been coming out and she flys but she has a little trouble flying. generally she seems to be a bit slow. her movement is very slow also. she breathes pretty hard and she has a strong smell due to the fact that she doesn't bathe. i feed her fruits here and there and i show her lots of affection. I'm just concerned about her health. she comes to me and shes always on my shoulder (something she want do to any1 else). so is there any advice you can give me. I'm concerned about her health and her breathing.

Thank You
-----Answer-----
Hi, Jessica.  Thanks for posting!

If this bird has only been allowed to be out of her cage and able to flap her wings/fly during the past 2 weeks out of the past 2 years, I'm not at all surprised/alarmed by all the things you state in your post.  This situation would be similar to you being bound to a bed for 2 years and then all of a sudden all is fine and you are able to get up and move around.  You'd have much difficulty trying to run and would surely be breathless in a few minutes.  This bird needs to be built up slowly and gradually allowed to get her muscles and body in shape again.

Have you tried allowing this bird to bathe on it's own by giving her a big dish of warm water?  If this bird doesn't bathe on her own, you'll need to bathe her by using a plant mister or spray bottle of some sort.  Fill it up with hot water (the water will be warm by the time it reaches your bird) and spray the mist above the bird's head in order to allow the water to fall on the bird.  The bird might be frightened of this at first (particularly the bottle) so be aware of this...you might have to spray a little bit each day for a while.

Fruits here and there isn't enough.  Parrots need to have a variety of healthy, nutritional foods, as well as pelleted food.  Seed should be used as a treat or only occasionally, as seed is high in fat, low in nutritional value.  See my website for more information on this:

http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html

It's always a good idea to take a rescue bird such as this to an avian veterinarian for a medical evaluation and baseline of her health.  Not a cat/dog vet, but an exotic animal vet that is certified in treating aves.  If you need help locating one, let me know.

Come back with any additional questions.

Chrys  

Answer
Hi again, Jessica.

Try these websites for help in locating an avian vet in your area:

http://www.aav.org
http://www.birdsnways.com/birds/vets.htm

If you don't find one specifically in your city, call the closest bird vet listed and ask for a reference closer to your area.  You might also try calling local cat/dog vets and ask for an avian vet reference near you.

Chrys