I'm not sure what to do anymore. I found this beautiful lovebird that someone had lost, not sure of the age or sex.

I noticed runny stools so I took him to the vet where they did a checkup. Came back saying he was apparently healthy but they did give him some water, vitamins and some slow release antibiotics.

Yesterday he seemed to be doing better, albeit still runny stools and sleeping most of the day. He made some sounds but towards the evening preferred the bottom of the cage.

Today he slept again most of the day, sat at the bottom of the cage as well for the most part. He's on a small pellet diet that I bought for him, Kaytee brand. He's not said one word today and still is puffed up (which he's been ever since I found him).

I do have a follow up appt for him next week Thursday, after payday. Is there something I should ask about or mention? I hate to say it, but I have no money right now to get him in anywhere, yet alone the gas it would take to get there. I just don't know what else to do.

Is he eating the pellets?
I would take him out of the cage and put him in a box with padding on the bottom. I would also get some formula and mix it with seed or the pellets. Is he drinking?

He is drinking and eating thankfully. Even if he does prefer the parakeet seed mix in with the pellets. He did climb in the shoebox I have under his cage and slept there for a bit earlier today.

I think I might just put it inside his cage that way I don't have to worry about where he is in the morning if he does decide to hop out.

Thank you.

Hi,

Thank you for taking the little one in and taking him to a vet.

I don't have lovebirds but several members do, they can help you with his diet. I think he might like a small seed mix like a parakeet mix. Do not make any drastic changes in his diet while he is sick, but do try a variety of foods if you have them.

Since he acts sick I would keep him in an ambient temp of 85-87 degrees. If you have a old aquarium that would be great. Cover one half of the aquarium or box with a towel to retain heat. To keep the bird hydrated offer gatorade mixed 5/50 with water, the electrolytes will help perk him up. If you have children you may have pedalyte on hand which can be mixed 50/50 with water also.

You should see an improvement in 2-3 days with antibiotics, make sure you give them to him for the full term as specified by you vet, normally 7-10 days.

Please keep us posted!

Thank you for trying so hard to help him. Is he definitely getting the antibiotics in him? Did they give him an injection first? Now you have what, liquid by mouth?

Definitely the pellets may not look like food to him. So it's good to have the seed and I'd do the formula too. If not you can try to make a little oat meal pulverized small or something like that or baby foods and offer it on a spoon or oral syringe not squirting it down his throat just offer in the side of his beak loosely. And keep him warm about 85 but not overheated where he cant get out of it. Just say, half the area.

Usually the antibiotics take about 48 hours to see an improvement. Occasionally it may be a different bacteria that isnt responding to that med and they will change it.

Call the vet tomorrow with a report if he's worse and just tell them about the budget. They may even direct you to a pet store for a different antibiotic if they carry it there. Or call it into your pharmacy for just three days at a time or something like that....I hope he's perkier tomorrow.

LOL Gary...ditto

Supply him with heat as Gary suggested and with a variety of foods to include spray millet (most important IMO - they always eat that IME). Also some crackers without salt and try some mixed veggies (warmed) and continue with fresh seed mix for birds his size. I personally would not give pellets at this time.... Please mention the meds the vet prescribed and the dose. Make sure the water is fresh and preferably given in a shallow glass or stainless steel vessel in easy reach of the bird (I would give two vessels of water, one with the electrolyte mix and the other plain, next to each other, on the bottom of the cage where he hangs out). Make sure you get the heat next to him ASAP and don't expect covering the cage to keep him warm without a heat source. Leave a 7 watt night light on nearby, so he can see where to get water & some food if desired. If he needs vet attention, I would not wait till next week to get him in. The vet will usually allow you to make payments if ya don't have the money now. Maybe ya could also borrow it from a neighbor, friend or family member.

please keep us posted. thoughts ar e with you............

He was given what I understood to be water with vitmains under the skin, as well as vibravenous injection. He goes back in for another injection next week.

He slept on top of his fuzzy blue tent last night (thankfully the parakeets never took to using it). He preferes one of my daughter's baskets with food and water to sit in.

Should I move him to a different room? He acts like he wants to be with us. He'll walk up to us but doesn't care to be picked up. He'll waddle around and sit in the middle of the room for 10 minutes resting until he waddle's to his next spot.

I dunno, he just seems miserable.

Do what everyone has suggested and things should turn around quickly...please don't put him in the same room as your other birds at this time.