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Birds--General/lovebird health
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Question
I have a lovebird that is 4 yrs. old. He is a male. He has had an enlarged stomach for 2 weeks now. I thought he was constipated but he's not. He acts and eats normal and flies around. It's just that his stomach is extended. Can you please tell me what I can do for him. I'm so afraid to take him to vet that they might want to do surgery and I will lose him like that, especially when he acts so normal. Thank you.
Hi, Mary. Thanks for posting.
Your lovebird could have a tumor in his stomach or something else seriously wrong. You need to take your lovebird to a bird veterinarian (not a cat/dog vet, but an exotic animal vet) right away. If you're worried about what the vet might find, I'm certain you would feel more guilty if you discovered him dead in his cage one morning, knowing you might have been able to help him. Then again, it could be something very simple (is he overweight?). You'll never know if you don't have him evaluated by a professional who has medical knowledge and can actually get their hands on the bird. Don't let him suffer if it's something bad. Birds hide their illnesses until they can't hide them anymore (a survival tactic)...he may act OK right now, but can turn for the worse quickly.
Chrys
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Chrys was very prompt in answering my question. This is the first place that I have found some kind of answer to my bird's problem. I was afraid of that. The only thing is we are a small town and have no avairy vet here. Only a cat/dog vet. But thank you for a quick response. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Chrys Meatyard
Expertise
I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.
Experience
Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.
Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.
Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.
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