please help, cockatiel cant hold head up...

[mmonroemaniac]

i have just joined this site to post this messege. i am very upset, my cocatiel fell off her pearch last night about 1am. and was laying on the bottom her head twisted round.

this morning she is on her pearch with her head in the strangest positions. all contorted, twisted around.hanging down, every so often she hold it up for a few seconds. but its like its being pulled back round

i am very worried. she is booked in the vets at 6.20 this evening.

im not sure how old sheis, we took them on from a friend who died. they are very scared and timid, we were worried that helping her would scare her more...

any help would be massively appreciated. thank you so much

[Kristy]

First try and stay calm, call the vet ASAP and tell them this is an emergency.

Support her little head and neck (maybe have her in a towel) and get her to the vet.

Drive safe!

[mmonroemaniac]

thank you for the advice, but i cant do that. im not at the house, i live with my dad im 19 and its my fiance's bird. i left the radio on for them earlier. i really didnt know what to do. 4 more hours and she will be at the vets. the time wont go any faster.... :(

[zzh2zzk]

Read my post "Cockatiel Emergency" in this same category...the exact same thing happened to Hani. I rushed her to an avian vet and they never really figured out what it was - but seemed like a stroke. She went blind in her left eye because of it. But its VERY important that she gets to an avian vet ASAP.

It happened to Hani around 1:30 am too. While I was frantically calling emergency vets around my area, my husband held her in a towel and gently massaged her neck with one figure - that kept her calm. Hani was hospitalized and a lot of tests were run. Medication and shots helped her improve, but your bird needs IMMEDIATE help before more damage is caused in her system. My avian vet told me that rushing Hani to the ER was what saved one of her eyes from going blind....so please try to do something now - 4 hours is VERY long for a bird, especially if this started last night.
Can you call a friend or neighbor or anything? Keep the bird warm and don't let her perch, she might fall off.

Keep us updated, I'm praying for you and your bird.

[mmonroemaniac]

there is nothing i can do at all. :( i am really worried now. i hope shes still at live at 6, when my fiance' gets in. poor thing..

i think the trouble id that shes really timid, and even standing by the cage will scare her. :( i dont want to cause her any unescacary stress, but as i said im not there so i cant do anything. she has her brother in there. im woundering how this is going to affect him.

god i hope shes going to be ok....

[zzh2zzk]

Have you noticed any change in her behavior the last couple of days? (less vocal, less active, eating less, more thirsty, etc.)

You're not at the same location the bird is? If you are, just monitor her very closely, keep her warm, and talk to her softly, so she knows you're there for her.

I'll keep praying that it works out!

[Kristy]

Where do you live??

Ya never know how small the world is..maybe a Perch person is right next door :)

[mmonroemaniac]

unfortunatly im not in the same place, and i cant get to the same place... it makes me really upset to see her like that. i was there this morning. and i put the radio on for her. i hope it helps....thank you all for your kind words. im in kent in England...

[Blazeybird]

England, well no wonder, LOL, you said 6 o clock and I was going... its 9:30 LOL anway's I hope your baby (or fiances baby) is OK!! HUGS to your family!

[Mutts Mom]

I would probably say your darling has had a stroke, with the darling being on the cage floor and head twisted. I would get it to the vet as soon as I could.....

[mmonroemaniac]

will she be ok?
is age a main cause of strokes?
will she have more?
and then die? :(
we dont know how old she is... must be at least 8 i think...

[zzh2zzk]

will she be ok?
is age a main cause of strokes?
will she have more?
and then die? :(
we dont know how old she is... must be at least 8 i think...

My tiel is less than a year old - with birds, age is not a factor when it comes to strokes. Yeah, it is more common in older birds, but can happen at any age.
I don't know if they can have more, I do know it makes them weaker though. We have to be more careful with Hani because she flies a lot weaker, is more sleepy, and doesn't have great balance anymore. But either way, they're still loveable!

Strokes can be caused by a number of reasons - I've been doing research online, and even discovered that even a lack of calicum in the diet can cause a stroke! Stress is a main factor too.

[mmonroemaniac]

hmmm it might be stress, but shes more dominant over the other bird her brother... only an hour to go now... i hope shes ok/ poor baby.

i think i might have her here if my fiance' will let me..

do you think she will get used to me being around her? becuase shes so scared at the moment.

or do you think its a bad thing to do expecially after shes been through this?

[zzh2zzk]

Change of environment can definitely stress a bird out. However, if you are able to give her more time, attention - and with some love and affection, your tiel will hopefully be back to normal again. They really need the attention and reassurance at times like these, and it will get her to trust you too.

Let us know what the vet says. And please TALK to the vet, ASK questions. Sometimes vets are so into "routine" with everything, that you need to pry info out of them - don't hesitate; ask or say anything you need to satisfy yourself.

[zzh2zzk]

Any news yet?

[mmonroemaniac]

ok so ive just finished cleaning out the birds and are now in MY (hehe) backroom!

the vet said that shes got an ear infection(?) thats why her head is going from side to side? to keep the balance.

she also has a little graze on her tummy because of where she fell onto the sand paper

. we were advised to put down newspaper instead. which i have done.

they have never eaten fresh fruit or veg as my finace' eats at his mums... so i have put some cherry tomatoes in the cadge and also some lettuce.

i gave the whole cage a mega good clean. inside and out. scrubed and washed it all outside. so its all lovely and clean!

the vet also gave her a vitamin and antibiotic injections. and shes gotta go back for a check up tomorow. and possibly another injection on satruday! so alls well :)

at least im here to check on them now. so thats put my mind at rest!

[Tracy]

we were advised to put down newspaper instead. which i have done.


If she has a tendency to fall now.... until she gets better you may consider using an old towel in the bottom of the cage. Yes you will need to wash it often or rotate two old towels but it will cushion any falls. Just an idea.

[mmonroemaniac]

thats a good idea. i think i will do that. i dont think she has a 'tendancy' but she may do from now on. we did put her at the bottom but she just got straight back up again. im just glad shes ok, i thought it was something really serious... :(

[zzh2zzk]

YAY!!!:abighug:

I'm so happy for you and truly relieved...I know exactly how it feels, and its great that it turned out to be nothing serious!

Having a bird thats not tamed or used to you is a difficult battle, but once won, definitely worth the wait! When I first got Hani, I got her from a store and she had been isolated in a cage and not socialized for over 6 months. She was very mean with us. She would starve herself, try to bite us, hiss at us, run from us...anything you can imagine. Even when we went to the vets for her first visit, it was hard for him to handle her...she flew everywhere and kept screaming and trying to bit him. He finally shut off all the lights in the room so she couldn't see and then grabbed her with a towel just to check her! We worked very hard with her. Would sit by her cage and take to her, would eat by her, would sing and whistle to her. Finally we used gloves and got her out of the cage. Even though she was nipping and biting, we petted her and stroked her and she truly came around. She took food out of our hands, learned to step up and completely trust us. It's the most wonderful reward to have a bird trust you like that. I had lost all hope too, but it takes time and patience. You seem like you definitely care - and before you know it, the tiels will realize that.

Good luck with them! I'm SO excited for you!!:elefant:

[Mutts Mom]

I am so glad it is only an ear infection, that really throws the balance off. Great info Tracy gave you about padding the bottom of the cage....

[mmonroemaniac]

YAY!!!:abighug:

I'm so happy for you and truly relieved...I know exactly how it feels, and its great that it turned out to be nothing serious!

Having a bird thats not tamed or used to you is a difficult battle, but once won, definitely worth the wait! When I first got Hani, I got her from a store and she had been isolated in a cage and not socialized for over 6 months. She was very mean with us. She would starve herself, try to bite us, hiss at us, run from us...anything you can imagine. Even when we went to the vets for her first visit, it was hard for him to handle her...she flew everywhere and kept screaming and trying to bit him. He finally shut off all the lights in the room so she couldn't see and then grabbed her with a towel just to check her! We worked very hard with her. Would sit by her cage and take to her, would eat by her, would sing and whistle to her. Finally we used gloves and got her out of the cage. Even though she was nipping and biting, we petted her and stroked her and she truly came around. She took food out of our hands, learned to step up and completely trust us. It's the most wonderful reward to have a bird trust you like that. I had lost all hope too, but it takes time and patience. You seem like you definitely care - and before you know it, the tiels will realize that.

Good luck with them! I'm SO excited for you!!:elefant:'

thank you for this! i told my fiance' i want to make them tame, he said its no use because of the way they are. and that they need taming from birth.

what do you suggest i do first? just keep making myself present? so they know who i am? talk softly? :) thank you all for your help :D this is a lovely caring board!

[Kristy]

'he said its no use because of the way they are. and that they need taming from birth.

Nah...just a box of bandaids as Sherry likes to say! he he
just keep making myself present? so they know who i am? talk softly? :)

So glad you are trying to improve the lives of these tiels, and yes your presence in and of itself will be a great start in making them friendlier :)

[zzh2zzk]

'

thank you for this! i told my fiance' i want to make them tame, he said its no use because of the way they are. and that they need taming from birth.

what do you suggest i do first? just keep making myself present? so they know who i am? talk softly? :) thank you all for your help :D this is a lovely caring board!

It can be very frustrating, I understand. We were exasperated with Hani's behavior and very hurt too. Its hard to understand at first when you love something so much, and they just don't understand. But honestly, it works out.
Do daily things around the bird, if you're eating, reading, even while doing chores...talk to them whenever you pass by the cage. If they don't bite, teach them to "step-up"...this is actually quite simple, and here are good directions on how to do it: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=15&cat=1795&articleid=2580

After a couple days, try offering the birds (if they don't bite) a sunflower seed (or another small treat) with your hand and see if they take it. If they do, they are starting to trust you.
Something else I tried with Hani was leaving her cage door open (since her wings are clipped) and letting her come out when she feels comfortable. I noticed that after a couple of days she came out and just sat there. I put some millet spray (great treat for birds!) outside of the cage door and she started eating it on her own...that was a HUGE progress.

Let me know if you need anymore help. SO LUCKY...you have three little cuties! I'm sure you'll be great with them.

[mmonroemaniac]

It can be very frustrating, I understand. We were exasperated with Hani's behavior and very hurt too. Its hard to understand at first when you love something so much, and they just don't understand. But honestly, it works out.
Do daily things around the bird, if you're eating, reading, even while doing chores...talk to them whenever you pass by the cage. If they don't bite, teach them to "step-up"...this is actually quite simple, and here are good directions on how to do it: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=15&cat=1795&articleid=2580

After a couple days, try offering the birds (if they don't bite) a sunflower seed (or another small treat) with your hand and see if they take it. If they do, they are starting to trust you.
Something else I tried with Hani was leaving her cage door open (since her wings are clipped) and letting her come out when she feels comfortable. I noticed that after a couple of days she came out and just sat there. I put some millet spray (great treat for birds!) outside of the cage door and she started eating it on her own...that was a HUGE progress.

Let me know if you need anymore help. SO LUCKY...you have three little cuties! I'm sure you'll be great with them.


thank you! i will take photos and post tomorow! my dad said to my fiance' dont worry about moving them about and taking them back yet if you dont need too. you can leave them here as long as you like.... yay

i think because he knows im responsible, (cleaning the cage out) and knows that i care about them...

i only have the two in the cage here at the moment, i think it would be pusing it to bring the other one at the moment, i will bring my dad round to that at a later date!

i am so astonished at the amount of information i have learnt here already, and the amount of lovely replys i have had! thank you all.

p.s what does it mean to have their wings clipped? the cannot fly? when is this a good idea? thanks for your help you amazing bunch of people! :elefant:

[philippa]

I am so relieved that it is only an ear infection. Good for you for stepping up to the plate and taking charge!

[zzh2zzk]

Well you can get the vet or some pet stores do it too...to clip the wings. Hani's is clipped enough so that she can still glide but not fly too high or anything. That way she is safe and I can still get to her.

And I know..this board IS amazing! I joined not too long ago for the same exact reason you did and was amazed at how caring everyone is..makes you feel so supported. I've read A LOT on cockatiels and quakers (I have a quaker also) and there is a ton to learn, but it's definitely worth it.

[Betty]

Clipping so they don't "fly" but glide to the ground...they can still fly but just not get height....I wouldn't do it right now but after she is better and settled in. AND I would find some one who really knows what they are doing, if you don't want to learn yourself....there are lots of "bad" wing clip jobs that people can tell you about...It also makes the bird more dependent on you...It is clipping the "flight feathers" on each wing...there is some very good info here on clipping wings....Glad your dad has OKed their staying.....If you are going to be gone during the day, leave your radio on or if possible your TV...birds love music and watching TV...I also would try sticking in some broccoli for them to try....slowly you need introduce fruits & veggie...A lot of us make "birdy Bread"...check out our recipes section! Good Stuff and Blazey (Houston) just got Blazey to eat carrots, pineapple all in his bread that he made the other day! Glad things are working out and as you go along, I think your fiance will see what can happen with attention and love...

[mmonroemaniac]

I think this is something i will definalty consider in the future, so that i can let them out, afterall they are birds! they are supposed to be out and about in the house! i cant wait for the bond to start! :)

[mmonroemaniac]

update:

she had an injeciton thursday, friday and today (saturday) she still seems the same, very wobbly... the vet isnt sure whats causing it. she said ear infections take a while to heal up...

she offered us some drops to feed into her mouth, but there bitter tasting and lillys not very tame, so we said we would stick to injections...

we duno how long this could go on for...

shes back on monday for another injection and to have her wings clipped. and then i can start letting them out! horay!

[zzh2zzk]

Wow Jodie,

Thats great news! At least its not getting worse. I really hope she pulls through this 100%.
Thanks for the update!:abighug:

[Gen120]

awwww....I hope she is OK!!!!
Keep us posted!

[Betty]

It will take some time...just make sure she is calm and not stressed during her healing....I wouldn't push to take her out of the cage until she is recovered....

[mmonroemaniac]

no of course not. the other bird billy is alot tamer, but neither of them are trying any fresh fruit or veg i put in the bars. its frustrating because its good for them :(

ive tried cherry tomatoe,lettuce, raspberrys and now a slice of apple

[zzh2zzk]

no of course not. the other bird billy is alot tamer, but neither of them are trying any fresh fruit or veg i put in the bars. its frustrating because its good for them :(

ive tried cherry tomatoe,lettuce, raspberrys and now a slice of apple

I'm still having a hard time getting Hani to eat anything other than the food that the store used to feed her. Sometimes she'll eat a cheerio out of my hand if i break it in pieces. I had to get those dried "healthy toppings" from the pet store - dried fruit and veggies, and I mix it in her food bowl along with her seeds and pellets. I notice that sometimes she'll eat those.

Try taking maybe broccoli or something a cutting it into small pieces and putting it in the food bowl. Might help.