Bas, our dear little cockatoo had another funny turn today. Steve was sitting in the lounge watching the lunchtime news when he heard a crash and Bas had fallen off his perch. He was on his side in the bottom of the cage so he picked him up and cuddled him and gradually after 3 or 4 minutes he recovered. We don't know what causes this to happen and it hasn't happened for quite a long time. He seems as though he can't see (because he jumps when you put your hand near him) and his leg goes limp - it's as if he's having a mini stroke. Cockatoos are not easy to treat as the vets don't really seem to have much idea about them. I'm glad he sleeps in an upturned box on the floor of his cage at night because at least we know he's safe there. We think we will lower his perch as it's about 4ft to the bottom of his cage. Poor little fellow! He's fine again now though and shouting as usual
Oh and he's a beauty too. I'm thinking @carrapeta00 (Lara ZInn) may have some ideas as she's a vet in Puerto rico and must see plenty of exotic birds. Takes a great photo as well! But hasn't been on for a little while - maybe she's still getting e-mail notifications?
@mejbronant@carolmw@sabanford Thanks for your kind comments. Bas has gone to bed in his box so hopefully he'll be OK until the next time. We're not sure how old he is but Steve has had him for 20 years but he could have been 20 when he got him but they do live to be about 60 - 70 and hopefully he will do!
He's a fine specimen. Our good friend in Germany had one for many years. I always used to feel sorry for it cooped up inside it's cage! It seemed cheerful enough though. Hope Bas is fully recovered.
@busylady I'm glad Bas comes out a lot as I wouldn't want him to be shut up in his cage all the time although he does have a huge cage! He seems fine again now and came to bed this morning as usual. He's had an extra piece of banana today because he was looking for more so he must be alright!
@janturnbull@skstein@rachelmackenzie@gphelps5 He seems fine again but these funny turns seem to happen every 3 or 4 months and usually he does not fall off his perch! He does seem to like having his photo taken and he will do anything to get a bit of attention! Shouting his head off is one way!
Poor guy...we have wonderful avian vets here. I couldn't find any info relevant on a google search. Definitely lower perches and add a cushion or pillow to the bottom of the cage & cover with newspaper maybe.
Poor chap. Until recentlu my dad made his living breeding and hand-rearing parrots and cockatoos, and I used to take over when they went on holiday - hard work!!!. Those cockatoos can certainly make a noise! He used a vet in Banbury who was good with parrots, I know that they are difficult to find aren't they?
@jantan Steve's previous moluccan bled to death because the vet didn't seem to know what to do when he caught a feather and really all he needed to do was cauterize it but I think he was frightened of him. Steve said though he was as soft as Bas (he had him before I knew him). Vets seem frightened of their big beaks but Bas is such a softee and he never bites whatever you do to him.
That's so awful, and so unbeleivable that he didn't know what to do (or was too scared!!!) Moluccans are really soft, but do DEMAND a lot of attention.
October 28th, 2012
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