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Help what is wrong with Molly my parakeet2007-11-24 17:19:48

My parakeet sits on the floor of the cage. She will not eat or drink.

I put the lower perch as low as it wiil go and she has got on it a few times but almost fell off. Her head is twitchy. when I put my hand in the cage she will go around in circles instead of getting on the top perch. Help what is wrong? could the food that I have been feeding her cause the problem?

Answers:

I used to work at an avian's vet office, and from your description, your bird is very ill. It was probably not the food, unless you gave her something with avocado, chocolate or caffine. Birds that won't perch and that sit on the bottom of the cage and don't eat are not healthy and VERY sick. Birds do everything they can to mask any kind of injury or illness, which is why it is difficult to know your bird is sick until it's too late or until they are very, very sick and don't have the energy to hide it any more.

Please seek veterinary care immediately. If she's a new bird, it is most likely nothing you did wrong, she was probably sick when you got her. At the very least, consult a veterinarian who specializes in birds.

Keep her warm, in a calm, quiet environment with no bright lights or drafts. You might want to keep a blanket over 1/2 of the cage as well, and see if she'll drink a little bit of Gatorade- that can help get her to drink. Keeping her warm is the most important thing you can do until she is seen by a vet.

Good luck and I'm sorry she's sick, but please know this is NOT nesting behavior, anxiety, or any kind of minor problem- I've seen it dozens of times, and without a vet's care, it is likely she will die. I don't want to scare you or upset you, but I am speaking from experience and as an avian specialist. Especially if she's also having seizures! Again, good luck and take care!

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It sounds as though she's sick. I doubt it would be the food you're giving it. I would seek vet advice asap.

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She might have hurt herself real bad so probably have to go vets.