Expert: Harvel Scott - 6/16/2009

Question
QUESTION: So I noticed just this afternoon that my 5 y/o female tiel was sitting at the bottom of her cage all puffed up. We spent the morning outside on the balcony (she was in her cage) while I studied. It's a beautiful, sunny day, 20 degrees C. She has since moved back to her perch. She sat at the bottom of her cage only briefly. All of a sudden, she started acting normally again (regular, active, chirpy self, eating/drinking normally). I have not seen her do it again. Her poop looks fine too. I was thinking of going to the vet, but it's $100 a visit and I'm a student (I only go if I'm really sure something's wrong). Do you recommend I wait a few days before I make the appointment? should I do anything in between?


ANSWER: I think you should take a visit to the vet; it is better to be sure rather than to be unsure.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for answering. I already made an appointment. Any insight as to how they assess a bird? this is my first time with a sick bird on my hands. Anything I could do to keep her comfortable overnight?

Answer
I do not no of any insights are no insights

Convalescing Cockatiels

Veterinarian Michael Murray recommends that bird owners
keep the following tips in mind when a birds is ill:

• Keep the bird warm. You can do this by putting the bird
in an empty aquarium with a heating pad under her, by
putting a heat lamp near the bird’s cage, or by putting a
heating pad set on low under the bird’s cage in place of
the cage tray. Whatever heat source you choose to use,
make sure to keep a close eye on your bird so that she
doesn’t accidentally burn herself on the pad or lamp and
doesn’t chew on a power cord.

• Put the bird in a dark, quiet room. This helps reduce
the bird’s stress.

• Put the bird’s food in locations that are easy to reach.
Sick birds need to eat, but they may not be able to reach
the food in its normal locations in the cage. Sometimes,
birds require hand feeding to keep their calorie consumption
steady.

• Protect the bird from additional injury. If the convalescing
bird is in a clear-sided aquarium, for example, you
may want to put a towel over the glass to keep the bird
from flying into it.