Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 10/13/2007

Question
Hi,

I hoping that you can give me some advice.  We acquired our love bird about 4 years ago and have become very attached to him.  In the last two weeks  he has become sick.   He is constantly foraging for food and regurgitates what he eats. In the last few days he has started to hang around the bottom of his cage.   We brought him to the vet and  $600 later the vet tells us that he is very sick(we know that already) and he has a fungal infection.  We have been advise that he requires 24 hour nursing care at $120 per day for probably 2 weeks. We are at a lost as we cannot afford this.
We love this bird and we would do what we are able to save him.  Is there anything we can do at home in terms of home care.  I can obtain the antifungal if need be.  I would greatly appreciate you advice.

Sincerely,  Francis

Answer
Hi, Francis,

If your bird has been diagnosed with a fungal infection, he needs antifungal meds as prescribed by the avian vet.  If you can't afford to have the vet care for your bird, the only thing you can do is try to care for the bird at home.  You should do this under the supervision of the avian vet.  The bird will need the meds...you'll have to get the dosage from the vet.  You should keep the bird warm, quiet, well fed (as the bird can tolerate), and probably in a "hospital" cage.  If you keep your bird in a cage with perches, the bird will feel "obligated" to perch if at all possible, which could be stressful for the bird, as birds won't show signs of illness until they are really sick and can't hide their illness.  Since the bird stays on the cage bottom right now, don't include perches so the bird doesn't feel s/he has to perch.  Put the perches back in as the bird gets better.  The bird may have a fever, so needs to be kept warm.  The bird needs time to sleep so s/he can get better, so a quiet area will help this part.  Caring for a sick bird is similar to caring for a sick child...the bird needs meds, warmth, nutrition, quiet area in order to get better.

I hope your bird gets better.  2 weeks at $120 per day is pretty steep, but might be necessary for your bird to get well.

Chrys