Help with the new addition

[Gerard]

Dr Mike,

I had to go to my vet to acquire some more pellets and he has informed me that he sees so many birds he can't remember whether they have a crop or not. He has informed me that it is most likely that they do, so therefore I dip my lid to you.

Cheers,

Gerard.

[Robyn]

Hi Yan, how are you going with your little musk & GCC are they improving & have you got the thrush under control.

[Yan]

Hi Robyn, thanks for asking. The Musk is doing worlds better and eating pretty much everything I put in front of her now, except for the THREE different brands of dry mix I have. Frustrating doesn't even begin to cover that. The Conure is acting like her normal self, but she never showed any change in behaviour anyway.

We were due back at the vet yesterday but alas I'm still on my Learners (have been for two or three years, how ridiculous) and my mother had work all day so that was out. Now today she's claiming she feels too sick park her behind in the passenger seat while I drive out there, but there she is outside doing yard work. Glad to see her priorities are in order.
One of my friends may be able to give me a lift, fingers crossed.

[avinet]

Jul 1, 2012 11:48:47 GMT 10 Yan said:

Hi Robyn, thanks for asking. The Musk is doing worlds better and eating pretty much everything I put in front of her now, except for the THREE different brands of dry mix I have. Frustrating doesn't even begin to cover that. The Conure is acting like her normal self, but she never showed any change in behaviour anyway.

Glad to hear they are doing well. Maybe try giving the Musk some wet powder dry rather than mixed with water. That is give her both wet mix wet and wet mix dry. Since it will have a similar taste to what he is used to he might get the idea that dry mix is just as good to eat. Always have some water nearby - most Lorikeets will get a mouthful of dry mix and carry it over to the water to do their own mixing.

Nutritionally it isn't that important that they eat dry mix - but it is much more convenient if they will eat dry. You don't have to worry so much about it going bad in hot weather and if you are away and someone else is looking after him it may be much easier and safer for them to just give dry mix and fruit so they don't have to worry about the wet mix going off.

So persevere with the dry mix - sooner or later he will realise it is OK

cheers,

Mike

[Yan]

I mix up all sorts of mixes with all of the powdered things I have so she's rarely getting the exact same taste now. Egg and Biscuit with Golden Rice Lori, Dry mix with Wet mix, etc. She gets impatient and will lick it before I mix it but just shakes her head and runs back up my arm until it's 'made properly'.
I don't have anyone to change the mixture throughout the day while I'm at work which is why I'm trying so hard to get her onto the dry ASAP so she doesn't keep ending up with thrush.

My friend wasn't able to make it in time so I rang the vet and got some advice instead, she said to keep treating until I can get them back in for their follow up so that I will do. I have someone lined up to take me on saturday if for some reason I can't get a morning off work to take them.

Thanks all for all the advice. It helps to have somewhere to vent to when everyone else is sick of hearing about the birds, haha.

[avinet]

Jul 1, 2012 18:02:11 GMT 10 Yan said:

I mix up all sorts of mixes with all of the powdered things I have so she's rarely getting the exact same taste now. Egg and Biscuit with Golden Rice Lori, Dry mix with Wet mix, etc.

Just keep it simple - decide which wet mix you and the Musk like and then give her that both as a wet mix and a dry powder. Don't use egg & biscuit - not a great food for a lorikeet. And once she has a clean bill of health from the vet you might try just giving her the dry (wet mix) powder and not any mixed up wet mix. Leave her with that for a few hours and you might be surprised how practical they can be when it is a choice between going hungry and eating dry powder

cheers,

Mike