Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!intercon!ooblick
From: ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: INDOOR: A one-winged cockatiel
Message-ID: <271A5C6B.51F4@intercon.com>
Date: 16 Oct 90 01:03:39 GMT
References: <1990Oct10.191352.11910@unislc.uucp> <1990Oct12.042341.21349@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
Distribution: na
Organization: InterCon Systems Corporation, Sterling, VA
Lines: 34

In article <1990Oct12.042341.21349@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> richman@reepicheep.sws.uiuc.edu (Mike Richman) writes:

>Bring your bird to an avian vet, ASAP.  It could have some  seri-
>ous disease.  The stress can result in loose stools.  Mardel labs
>makes a product, Ornabac (OTC at a pet shop) which  can  help  if
>there  is  no disease.  I'm not (repeat, NOT) a vet, so please do
>not try Ornabac without ruling out anything serious.  Maybe some-
>one else can chime in on the wing problem?

Yes, PLEASE take the bird to a vet.  A real live avian vet.  Sounds like
something beyond home medication.  Your vet may advise antibiotics, but
if s/he does, s/he may also advise antifungals to ward off yeast
infections.  Like humans, antibiotics in birds can cause candidasis,
which can kill a bird.

Your vet may also advise putting the bird on medicated pellets for 45
days.  

>I would also keep your bird in strict isolation from your  others
>until  you know it is safe.  That means water dishes, etc. should
>not be cleaned with the others, and you must disinfect your hands
>before  handling  your other birds (or wear gloves for the poten-
>tially ill one). Good luck.  Sounds  as  if  your  battle  is  an
>uphill one.  Hope we all hear a success story.

YES!  Quarantine the bird.  This is a MUST!  If you don't have any 
other birds, make sure the cockatiel doesn't come into contact with
ANY other pets.  As the cockatiel is in a weakened state, he may pick
up bacteria easily.  This includes from you.  Wash your hands before
handling the bird or his dishes.  Please also change the dishes at
least daily (especially water) because if the bird is weak, he'll
catch anything you may transmit.  Also, use vitamins and minerals.

Mikki Barry