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Thread: Baby Green Wing macaw refusing formula at 11 weeks old

 
  1. #1
    Member
    chad84's Avatar


    Parrots

    Green wing Macaw

    Baby Green Wing macaw refusing formula at 11 weeks old

    I have a baby green wing macaw. His name is Robert (wife named him). He is about 11 weeks old. Got him from a friend as a gift. He told me he was about 8 weeks old at the time and I have had him for about 3 weeks. I am not really sure of his age. Can you judge by the pictures?

    I have 2 issues.

    2 days ago he hasn't been taking all of his Kaytee Exact hand feeding formula for baby macaws. He usually takes about 90cc 3 times a day. I add 4 drops of Bragg's Apple Cider Vineger and 2 drop Multivit CH to his food. He weighs about 1035g at 11 weeks old. He started refusing formula after he has had about 45 - 60cc. I also noticed he is not doing the head bobbing (begging for food) as he used to. Sometimes he doesn't bob at all. He has been panting a bit after playing alot and I took him to vet today who said he has respiratory infection. He gave me antibiotic to feed him orally for 5 days 2x a day. He started refusing food before I gave him the antibiotic.

    Second issue, I caught playing with his poop. I caught him 3 times. Don't know if he is eating it but it scared me. I decided to cut up some banana and give to him to see what happens. He ate it all up. This puzzles me. I just fed him formula again and he wasted half. But right after he had a good bit of banana. Also tell me if his poop looks ok.

    Other than that he is playing alot and following me around the house. He nibbles on my toes and is always playing with his toys. He isn't acting sick in any way. He is active about 10hrs a day and sleeps about 14hrs a day.

    Posted pictures below.









    Videos in youtube.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pubgVCT8BIo
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL1c1hbHHvU

    Can you assist me?

  2. #2
    Nobility Member
    spiritbird's Avatar


    Parrots

    Lineated Parakeet named Kobe (M) and (F) named Tango Maine Coon Kitty named Christine
    We have a member named @Cedardave that could help you.

  3. The following user likes this post:

    The Pinkertons (04-05-2016)

  4. #3
    Banned



    If his weight is normal I wouldn't worry, try offering human organic baby food, apple, squash, carrots, he may be a little off from the bacterial infection.

  5. The following user likes this post:

    Sucre (05-02-2016)

  6. #4
    Member
    chad84's Avatar


    Parrots

    Green wing Macaw
    He finally ate some food. 60cc of formula. But I had to mix it in with some vanilla yogurt. He did head bob for 45cc of it and the rest i put on his tongue and he swallowed.

  7. #5
    Senior Member
    PlaxMacaws's Avatar


    Parrots

    B&G (Jack) | MM (Maynard) - RIP | Hy (Zaf) - RIP | GW (Salsa) | NC (Bozley)
    Hello chad84... how did the vet determine that your GW baby has a respiratory infection? Have you noticed any wheezing or coughing, or any discharges? Has he aspirated any formula? When feeding formula it's easy to aspirate these little guys, so please be very careful. By the way, is your vet an avian vet? Please don't read much into that question... but it's always advisable to use an avian specialist for matters like this.

    I would recommend that you feed your baby as much formula as he will comfortably take each time and monitor his weight closely. If the amount that he's ingesting is less than it used to be then so be it. The important thing is to make sure he keeps getting the feedings. You may be able to alter the frequency and the amount per feeding a bit for a different result. Hopefully someone who is more qualified than myself will chime in here concerning your feeding particulars. The poop in your photo looks relatively normal to me. The solids are well-formed and of reasonable color. The urates are white - which is a healthy sign.

    Please keep us informed.
    He wanted to live. He was my Heaven... He's gone!

  8. The following user likes this post:

    The Pinkertons (04-05-2016)

  9. #6
    Member
    chad84's Avatar


    Parrots

    Green wing Macaw
    He inhaled some formula a few days ago. And yes he is wheezing. No my vet is not an avian specialist. We don't have any in my country. I decided I will give him less but more often. I realised Robert doesn't always ask for the syringe at the back of tounge. Sometimes he likes to have it on the tip. So I will work on being more careful. About twice last week he choked and coughed while feeding. I will exercise more patience and give more frequent feedings.

  10. #7
    Senior Member
    PlaxMacaws's Avatar


    Parrots

    B&G (Jack) | MM (Maynard) - RIP | Hy (Zaf) - RIP | GW (Salsa) | NC (Bozley)
    Quote Originally Posted by chad84 View Post
    He inhaled some formula a few days ago. And yes he is wheezing. No my vet is not an avian specialist. We don't have any in my country. I decided I will give him less but more often. I realised Robert doesn't always ask for the syringe at the back of tounge. Sometimes he likes to have it on the tip. So I will work on being more careful. About twice last week he choked and coughed while feeding. I will exercise more patience and give more frequent feedings.
    Irritation caused by the aspiration is likely what caused his respiratory issue. He may have still had some of the fluid/formula substance in his breathing mechanism and the vet interpreted it as a respiratory infection. Or the resulting irritation actually caused an ensuing infection. I'm just theorizing about what may have occurred. Hopefully he's on a good track for recovery. Care and patience are essential.
    He wanted to live. He was my Heaven... He's gone!

  11. #8
    Member
    chad84's Avatar


    Parrots

    Green wing Macaw
    Robert refused to feed this morning. So I gave him the antibiotics on an empty stomach. Then I left him with some fruits he ate at 7am. At 12:30pm when I got home he stood still and didn't greet me. So I decided to make a large 150cc formula. He ate 2x 60cc and begged for more for a total of 140cc. I am so happy. Now he is following me around scratching me with his foot and nibbling me with his beak for the last 15mins. He is so active now. Very happy. 1st time I ever heard him so vocal. Sounds like he is quarelling.

  12. The following 2 users like this post:

    kendrafitz (04-07-2016), Penny (05-03-2016)

  13. #9
    Senior Member
    PlaxMacaws's Avatar


    Parrots

    B&G (Jack) | MM (Maynard) - RIP | Hy (Zaf) - RIP | GW (Salsa) | NC (Bozley)
    Quote Originally Posted by chad84 View Post
    Robert refused to feed this morning. So I gave him the antibiotics on an empty stomach. Then I left him with some fruits he ate at 7am. At 12:30pm when I got home he stood still and didn't greet me. So I decided to make a large 150cc formula. He ate 2x 60cc and begged for more for a total of 140cc. I am so happy. Now he is following me around scratching me with his foot and nibbling me with his beak for the last 15mins. He is so active now. Very happy. 1st time I ever heard him so vocal. Sounds like he is quarelling.
    Ah, that's good news. I'm glad to hear it . Hopefully he's going to continue feeling better and eating adequately. One thing I should mention is that it's not wise to give antibiotics on an empty crop. You should always make sure the crop is somewhat filled because antibiotics on their own may otherwise impact the liver and kidneys in a dangerous way. So food and water (or formula) should always be consumed just prior to ingestion of antibiotic substances!
    He wanted to live. He was my Heaven... He's gone!

  14. The following 3 users like this post:

    mdg1109 (04-05-2016), Penny (05-03-2016), Sucre (05-02-2016)

  15. #10
    Member
    chad84's Avatar


    Parrots

    Green wing Macaw
    Can I give it to him on a half full crop? What about a full crop? The doc told me not to mix it into the formula but make sure and give him it alone.

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