[PetLover72]

Again, Susanne, I can't thank you enough for all your help and advice.

I just got home after being away with baby for 5 hours driving all over to get help. First stop: the avian vet. I stressed that I wanted to get him fluids so that's what we got there - some sub Q fluids with B Vitamins in them. The vet said he thought this bird breeder about a half hour away from his office would be able to help me the most so he sent us there. Her name is Edna and she owns a shop called The Crystal Parrot. She was pretty disgusted with me like I was this flaky idiot that took on a baby bird when I shouldn't have and told me all the things she thought I had done/was doing wrong. The vet warned me she'd be like this, so I just let it roll off my back.

She said the powdered Kaytee baby food the store sold me yesterday was crap, and she sold me different powdered formula with another supplemental powder to add to it for vitamins and to help with hydration. She fed the baby for me and I was relieved to see I had been feeding him the exact same way. She said every 4-5 hours and she didn't seem too worried about his crop and didn't think it looked "sour" at this point.

So, please wish me luck as I continue to hand feed the little guy and try to do everything in my power to make sure he grows up healthy and happy....thanks to the folks here for the responses and support!!

 

[lperry82]

I hope everything is ok

 

[crinklepot]

Good luck to you and the baby! I hope everything turns out ok

 

[PetLover72]

Thanks LPerry and Crinklepot! Crinklepot how did you create such a cool signature with the colorful bird pics??

 

[srtiels]

and she sold me different powdered formula with another supplemental powder to add to it for vitamins and to help with hydration.
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I glad the vet was able to help, and sorry the shop owner was cranky.

OK...the Kaytee formula was fine. As to what she sold you I think it may have been more to make a sale. AND, PLEASE do not add the vitamin supplements. All brands of formula contain vitamins and adding more can cause then to build up in the body to create a toxicity. Also do not add supplements like protein or protein powders. When there is suspected dehydrated it could affect renal/kidney function and contribute to kidney failure.

You can draw out and use (mix 50/50 with water) some of the Sub-Q fluid you got from the vet to use as the water for mixing the formula.

Shame on Enda though...you are doing a GREAT job What you are faced with is the worst that can happen with a baby and you have kept it alive so far. if you had not acted as fast as you have it may have been close to death or died by now.

Keep up the good work

 

[srtiels]

Oh...one other thought. It is not good to switch formulas once you start handfeeding...BUT if you do, what you do is mix up 50/50 of each brand together, and then with each feeding reduce the ratio of the former formula until you are using the new formula over several feeding. the bag might have some conversion/container info on it.

 

[crazy4tiels88]

I liked kaytee better than the zupreem handfeeding formula and you get more for your money and its thicker than zupreem when i used zupreem when i mixed it you had to use alot to get the right thickness! And Zupreem is 12-15 dollars for 1 pound bag. So i would stick with kaytee

 

[Debbie05]

I have always used kaytee myself for years and like it better then most as it doesn't clump. I hate some formulas that are lumpy and had to use.

 

[missprice]

so glad u and baby are getting sorted keep us updated on progress

 

[Belinda]

wow what an ordeal! You're handling it well PetLover, you may not know what you're doing now, but you're on a steep learning curve. You'll have a fair idea what to do now if it ever happens again. Hope your little guy gets better soon

 

[PetLover72]

Update on the little one: I felt so good last night after all of our running around to get the baby bird some help... I am feeding him every 4-5 hours so I fed at 10 last night, then again at 3:00am and all seemed ok...baby was still interested in eating and had some energy. Then for the 8:00am feeding, it seemed he had just given up on me... He felt cold, no interest in eating, couldn't even hold his own head up.

I sat with him wrapped up in a towel on my chest/under my chin trying to will him to live, but I feared based on how he looked and acted he was moments away from passing. After about an hour, I stood up and was going to lay him back in his little carrier, and suddenly he was alert and begging for food again!! I raced to make him some formula and he ate a little and now I am cautiously optimistic again. Those of you pulling for the little guy please continue to send positive vibes his way!! I am doing everything I possibly can and think if my tears alone could save him he'd be all set!! Crazy how attached I've become in such a short time, but I'm sure everyone here on this forum knows what that's like!

Susanne I followed your advice about mixing the formula 50/50 and have been using the electrolyte formula you gave me as the water I mix the formula with. I'm glad to hear so many of you have been happy with the Kaytee so I wasn't feeding the "wrong" stuff.

P.S. - I was told by the vet we will not be able to determine the sex of this little one just from the colors/markings...or at least not yet. I am in the process of coming up with a new name for this baby that would be fitting for a boy or a girl....but I do find myself thinking of lots of girl names for some reason. Open to suggestions...thanks again for the tremendous support here! So glad I found you guys - especially you Susanne!

 

[crinklepot]

Thanks LPerry and Crinklepot! Crinklepot how did you create such a cool signature with the colorful bird pics??

It took me ages lol but I just resized all the pics I wanted to the same size, used Jasc Paintshop Pro to change the colours in each picture, then put them together! It was pretty easy to do once I knew how to do it

I'm glad to see that your little one is doing well, my fingers are crossed and I hope he keeps improving

 

[PetLover72]

Thanks Crinklepot - the little guy needs all the well wishes he can get!! Thanks for the info about your cool photo montage!

Ok so here are more pictures of the baby and one of his poop. His chest still seems a little inflated and both the vet and Edna yesterday thought there is air in his crop but neither seemed overly worried about it?? These pics were taken about an hour and a half after a small feeding. Let me know if you have any thoughts... he has been preening himself which I am taking as a good sign!

 

[roxy culver]

Air in the crop is normal, if you feel there's a bunch you can try to push it out but otherwise it shouldn't be an issue. Sure is a cutie you got there!

 

[crinklepot]

Sorry I don't have a clue about crop problems or anything, but I just want to say, he is SO cute!!

 

[PetLover72]

Thanks ladies! I was hoping Susanne might post here....bet she is busy. I agree thisis one cute little baby - I'm happy to report he is doing really well tonight! Whew!

 

[Debbie05]

He is looking a lot better. He is very cute.

 

[tielfan]

I'm glad he's doing so well! It sounds like he got chilled this morning. Babies that get too cold can actually appear to be dead, then "come back to life" if they're warmed up again before it's too late.

 

[MeanneyFids]

glad to hear he's picking up! i hope he pulls through!

are you keeping him?

 

[Mentha]

I'm glad he's doing so well! It sounds like he got chilled this morning. Babies that get too cold can actually appear to be dead, then "come back to life" if they're warmed up again before it's too late.

I was thinking the same thing. I had the same problem last year. I ended up having to wrap blankets around my aquarium at night to keep it a little warmer.