Please help - friend's lovebird is bleeding from vent - GRAPHIC IMAGE

[callisto9]

This is a friend of mine from out east. His 4-year old lovebird is bleeding from his/her vent. He thinks the bird is male. Not sure. Lives next to another lovebird in another cage.

This just happened today. No sight of egg and can't get to vet until tomorrow.

Can anyone help? I'm out of my element here. Anything he can do for the next 24 hours? Bird seems to be acting mostly normal. Please help.

[ypogeios]

No idea, whatever I say is just speculation. Maybe female and problem with egg coming out? Is it eliminating at all?

The most usefull suggestion:

TO THE VET ASAP!!!

A few drops of blood loss can mean death for such a small animal!

[BridgeyRoo]

Unfortunately, I don't have any specific advice, except to get to the vet asap, which I know your friend is trying to do.

Other than that, I would have your friend set the lovie up in a small hospital cage...small to minimize movement and discourage the bleeding. Make sure that there is a source of warmth (like a heating pad) but only on one side so the lovie can move away if he is too warm. Put his food and water away from the heat but on the floor so as to discourage the extra movement. Cover at least three sides and the top to keep the bird calm, warm, and comfortable.

If there is no sign of an egg, my only fear is that it could have been an malformed egg that burst inside. If this is the case the bird needs to get to a vet asap because this is septic and can lead to death. I wouldn't know for sure this is the case, I am just used to dealing with female birds and their potential egg problems.

I wish I could offer more help - I will cross my fingers. Best of luck...

[callisto9]

No idea, whatever I say is just speculation. Maybe female and problem with egg coming out? Is it eliminating at all?

The most usefull suggestion:

TO THE VET ASAP!!!

A few drops of blood loss can mean death for such a small animal!

I know, my first response was: vet ASAP. I hope he'll take him/her in tomorrow.

I'm trying to see if there's a vet closer than 2 hours...which is how close he says the nearest vet is.

My guess is egg binging or internal bleeding.

[callisto9]

Unfortunately, I don't have any specific advice, except to get to the vet asap, which I know your friend is trying to do.

Other than that, I would have your friend set the lovie up in a small hospital cage...small to minimize movement and discourage the bleeding. Make sure that there is a source of warmth (like a heating pad) but only on one side so the lovie can move away if he is too warm. Put his food and water away from the heat but on the floor so as to discourage the extra movement. Cover at least three sides and the top to keep the bird calm, warm, and comfortable.

If there is no sign of an egg, my only fear is that it could have been an malformed egg that burst inside. If this is the case the bird needs to get to a vet asap because this is septic and can lead to death. I wouldn't know for sure this is the case, I am just used to dealing with female birds and their potential egg problems.

I wish I could offer more help - I will cross my fingers. Best of luck...

I am passing on all information to him. Thank you so much. I know this has to be hard for him. I would be freaking out! I've never dealt with a bleeding from vent bird before. Toes, yes. Vent, no.

[BridgeyRoo]

Maybe also he could call the vet - if one is open? They might have some other suggestions to get through until tomorrow...

[Cheaps]

I'm trying to see if there's a vet closer than 2 hours...which is how close he says the nearest vet is.

Remember, 2 hours is closer than 24 hours! Good luck to your friend and the poor little birdie.

[ypogeios]

Maybe also he could call the vet - if one is open? They might have some other suggestions to get through until tomorrow...

That could be helful too. Even if it only 2 hours away, there might be some first aid instructions similar to those said about small cage, minimal movement etc.

Good luck!

PS: Post us some feedback tomorrow...

[callisto9]

Remember, 2 hours is closer than 24 hours! Good luck to your friend and the poor little birdie.

I just don't think one is open today.

I've passed along several phone #s to him to call.

[callisto9]

Thank you to everyone who has responded. I will keep everyone posted on this little birdie's progress.

[sammit]

oh wow. do you think hes picked at it himself?? i hope you can get the poor little guy to the vet, i understand how scary this must be for your friend but tell him to keep calm. you stress and the bird picks up on it and stresses too.

[callisto9]

oh wow. do you think hes picked at it himself?? i hope you can get the poor little guy to the vet, i understand how scary this must be for your friend but tell him to keep calm. you stress and the bird picks up on it and stresses too.

I don't know. My thought is that he's not picking at himself. I think this came on all of a sudden.

I haven't heard from my friend in a few hours, so I can only hope the bleeding has stopped.

[sammit]

any chance of an update? or even if the feller went to the vet?

[Piatchie]

wow....I hope he got to the vet. Poor little Fid.....I have no idea! I would be freaking out if this was me! Our vets have a 24hr emergency and there is always someone on call.....Of course it can get very expensive if you have to call them in a 2 in the morning, but they are there!

[callisto9]

My friend did take Joy (bird's name) to a closet vet who sees small animals. Best he could do on short notice.

Gram test of poo was negative for any sort of bacteria. Bird is on a broad-spectrum anti-biotic. There is still a little blood in his poo and my friend will be keeping an eye on that. Dr. thought it might be internal polyps.

Joy seems to be doing fine now. I will keep everyone posted. Thanks to those who came in and offering help/support!

[ypogeios]

Great! I hope Joy completely recovers. I'm glad he already looks better.

[pixibubbles]

what a darling little birdie!
i'm so glad he's feeling better, and i really hope it's something that has corrected itself!

i, personally, would still try to get him to an avian vet (along with the small animal vet's appointment) for review. Better to do it now when seems to be recovering than risk finding out later that it werent!

[Piatchie]

so glad to hear he is doing better!

[callisto9]

I have recommended he contact his regular vet just to see if they have any ideas. I've just not heard or seen of this problem before.

I'll keep everyone posted.

For now, Joy seems to be doing well. From what I hear, he's very sweet and friendly and the vet couldn't believe how tame he was.

[pixibubbles]

i'm guessing being so tame helped save his life.
If he hadnt been and had struggled i'd imagine the stress would have made whatever it is worse!

Keep us updated. And make your friend come visit us all! Joy looks like a little darling and i want to hear more stories about our new fid lol

[callisto9]

i'm guessing being so tame helped save his life.
If he hadnt been and had struggled i'd imagine the stress would have made whatever it is worse!

Keep us updated. And make your friend come visit us all! Joy looks like a little darling and i want to hear more stories about our new fid lol

I passed on the link to this thread to him. Maybe he'll join! Joy seems adorable as all heck.

[Skittles]

Aw man, the photos made me cry... He looks almost identical to my Elwood...

I am so glad he's pulling through! Being hand tame DOES make a massive difference

[callisto9]

Aw man, the photos made me cry... He looks almost identical to my Elwood...

I am so glad he's pulling through! Being hand tame DOES make a massive difference

I'm glad he's doing ok, too. I hate to see any bird suffer, even one I don't know.