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What’s wrong with my African Grey?

In a few months,our African Grey has gone from a healthy, talking parrot to a bird that is plucking all its feathers, weak voice, lost balance, difficulty perching,, no talking, shaking and stressed to the point where we feel we are losing her. Took her to vet, got Vitamin a shot. No luck.

She’s too stressed now to travel for a blood test. We’re at our wits end. Please help. What can be done?
Jerry

Hi Jerry- I am quite concerned about your Grey. Her symptoms suggest a serious health condition that needs the attention of a qualified avian veterinarian immediately. Some veterinarians do make house calls; you might check the Association of Avian Veterinarians AAV to locate the avian veterinarians in your area. If you cannot find a veterinarian who does house calls, you must then take your bird to a qualified avian veterinarian.

Sometimes we have no choice but to do stressful things to save our birds’ lives. If we don’t, we will lose them for sure!

Good luck,

Dr.Cook

About Ellen K. Cook, DVM

Dr. Ellen K. Cook has been practicing small animal medicine since 1975. In 1998, she rescued Merlin, a six-year-old Moluccan cockatoo with many undesirable behaviours, and soon began focusing primarily on avian veterinary medicine and behavioral issues.

Dr. Cook is a member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, the International Association of Trainers and Educators, the Animal Behavior Management Alliance, and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists.

She has published numerous articles over the years on avian veterinary and behavioural care, and serves as on online consultant for the World Parrot Trust. Dr. Cook has been teaching basic behavior classes to parrots and their caregivers since 2009, and is the founder of Parrots Anonymous, an organization dedicated to educating those who live with companion parrots.

To book a consultation with Dr. Cook, visit the Cicero Veterinary Clinic at http://www.cicerovet.com