My little green cheek conure, Junior is ill. She got scratched by a cat, I think, while I was away from the house. She’s on antibiotics, but she hasn’t been looking well. She’s doing a lot of sleeping during the day, which is generally a very bad sign with birds. And she’s eating some, but not as much as usual, and also drinking less water. I’m worried. Her brother seems worried too. This isn’t her, but she looks very much like this. Her wings aren’t clipped, so she also beautiful blue flight feathers that you can’t see in the picture.
She’s always been a sweet bird, very friendly. I really hope she gets better, but I’m not sure she’s going to. Any good healing thoughts or whatever would be welcome.
Our pets really do become like our family and it’s always awful when one is sick or injured–especially birds because they’re usually so bright-eyed and active and healthy.
The Book of Matthew speaks of sparrows and how even they, some of the lowliest of birds, are taken care of by God. The point in context is to help people through suffering times, but I can’t help but think the mention of sparrows being taken care of by God applies to conures and other birdies as well. Your bird’s sitting still and being inactive could simply mean that she is praying. Either way, she is being looked over by God. hugs
Have you taken her to the vet, Seis? If you have not, you should do that as quickly as possible. Check the vets locally to see if you have one that specializes in birds. She may have an abscess or infection from the scratch that needs to be drained or cleaned.
Several years ago, my bird became very ill with an infection. Thinking it was hopeless, I took her to an avian vet, who gave her an injection of antibiotics with oral antibiotics to follow. The improvement was remarkable. She recovered completely–in fact, she was looking better by the next day. It was well worth the cost to have my bird for another few years (she was getting on even then).
I’m not sure what your bird eats, but I have had success with feeding sick birds cooked grains, like brown rice, wheat, barley, and oats. They have a high water content that way and are very easy and tempting for the bird.
I was just going to say what Lamby did. If you have a bird specialist in your area and aren’t already seeing that person, I would rush over. Medicine is so complicated these days that I think vet specialists for animals are a really good idea. Or if you don’t live near a specialist, call the vet that prescribed the antibiotics right now and tell them your bird isn’t doing well. There might be more they could do. Don’t wait. They might be able to at least get some water into her somehow so dehydration wouldn’t be such a danger.
There isn’t anything much worse, I think, than having a pet be sick and not showing good signs of improvement. I hope she shows signs of getting better real soon.
Seis, I work for an avian vet (two ABVP diplomates and two non-certified but avian intensive). Did you bring the bird to a qualified vet? Cat scratches are considered acute emergencies, and the proper antibiotic at the proper dose is CRITICAL. If you have a question, please contact me in IM and I’ll check it through my boss.
Sadly, a flighted bird is a lot more tempting to a cat than one that is clipped and can only walk. I’m sorry for your tragedy, and hope that the conure pulls through.
Aiming healing thoughts your way… our budgie, though hardly sociable, is part of the family. We’ve lost a couple through the years. It’s hard even when they aren’t particularly interactive, I can imagine how doubly hard it must be when you have a close relationship with the bird. I hope she pulls through with “flying” colors!
I can relate. I’ve had parrots, myself, especially when I lived in the tropics. There is a strong bond between birds and people. I think that bond may well be the gift of music.
I’ll definitely keep her in my prayers. Do take the good advice given here, though, and get her back to a vet…an avian specialist, if at all possible.
Our animal friends are as much a part of the family as any human, I think. We lost our dear dog-friend Cedar last month (after 18 wonderful years), and not a day goes by that I don’t miss him terribly.
Let us know how she is doing. And definitely take her to a vet, or call your vet back if she seems worse. There are other support measures that can be given (heat, oxygen, etc.). I hope she pulls through.
I am hoping that your little birdy makes it ok. I have friends who have a Conure named Cheeky that is just adorable. We certainly do get attached to our pets.
Cran, I too think you made a lovely point.
Redwolf, I am sorry for your loss. I remember you mentioning Cedar in other posts.
Thanks everybody. Yes, I took her to a vet the day it happened, and she’s been on the antibiotics since(three days). It wasn’t a bird vet, because the bird vet is out of town until the 23rd. It was the vet that does wild birds usually. She seems about the same today, still eating and drinking a little, and sleeping a lot. She’s had a few periods where she seems much perkier, brighter eyed and happy looking, but then she goes back to looking sick.
I’m surprised the cat even bothered about her, and also that he (or she) was able to get to the bird. She was in her cage, which is quite large and has plenty of space where the cat couldn’t possibly reach. And none of our cats has been the slightest bit interested in the birds before.
My cat used to have an interest in my African Grey parrot…until my parrot got fed up and kicked my cat’s ass (we used to give our bird full run of the house; he was toilet trained to a degree. he’d even eat breakfast with us on the table…and that’s where he got fed up with the cat!) You shoulda seen it! It was the funniest thing I think I have ever seen; this grey parrot chasing a (very large, in fact) orange tabby around the house for twenty minuets.
Up until the day my parrot died, that cat gave him a very wide birth.
Anyhow, I was hoping some levity would lighten the mood for you. I hope it works and I hope your little friend recovers!
In reading your most recent post I see that the bird WASN’T out. Did the vet find a puncture or evidence of a cat scratch? If not, I wouldn’t even think of blaming the cat for the bird’s illness. Birds, like people, get sick, mopey, ill. They get nasty bacterial infections despite good care.
My little Ben did something similar – near death experience (his fifth or sixth, if I recall) for no good reason. Two nights ‘in the shop’ with antibiotics and heat, and he was back to normal (except he detested being toweled and medicated for the next 10 days!).
(we used to give our bird full run of the house; he was toilet trained to a degree. he’d even eat breakfast with us on the table…and that’s where he got fed up with the cat!) You shoulda seen it! It was the funniest thing I think I have ever seen; this grey parrot chasing a (very large, in fact) orange tabby around the house for twenty minuets. 
