Post by micha on Aug 7, 2015 20:09:25 GMT 10
Hi, I am a novice carer for an approximately 6 - 8 week old Lorikeet. I rescued him/her? - Keets - 3 days ago and have been on a serious learning curve. Keets was quite traumatised when I first found him on the lawn. Dazed, concussed and minus a tail. I snuggled him into a clean cloth, placed in a box put in a quiet warm spot and started the phone calls. The first thing I did was inform my local wildlife rescue organisation who advised that I keep him quiet for a few hours and see how he fared. After a few hours he had recovered considerably and I gave him some water from an eye dropper which he drank from well. Relief! He was now hobbling about the box and squawking loudly at me when ever I looked in. I took this as a good sign...he was gaining strength. Evening set in and I continued to offer warm water with a little honey of which he accepted small amounts. I put his box near the heater and hoped he would make it through the night. The next morning, (yesterday), he was looking much the same as the first night, no worse...big relief. I rang back the rescue person who asked me if I was willing to take him to the vet, I was. The vet looked him over and confirmed concussion and ruled out Beak and feather virus, despite the missing tail, told me where to buy food and wished me well. Here I will mention that the parents had come by, (my veranda), intermittently and called to him and he had answered very strongly. I had taken his box into the sun on my veranda and hoped they would feed him...they came close but did not feed him...disappointment - I still had to find the food supply - the shop and vets had run out. A very helpful lady from the rescue group advised to make a mix of brown rice flour and sweet potato with a small amount of honey, just to get through til I could get the good stuff...he ate a little but wasn't impressed. This morning his parents showed up and I brought him out to them and he suddenly took off and disappeared over the fence. I hoped he would fly to safety, the parents were encouraging him but he couldn't join them. I left him for a few hours hoping that he would find the strength to join his parents who came and went intermittently to encourage - but then I saw the neighbours cat stalking so I went and got him...he was not impressed and tried to fly but couldn't get over the fence. My partner arrived just then with the good food - a wet mix. I let him settle for a couple of hours then offered the food...he liked it, again relief. Now I keep thinking of questions which is why I have joined this forum. First question is - is it ok just to leave the fresh water in his box, ( I got him a feeder bottle cause he kept sitting in the saucer and pooing), do I need to hand feed water as well as the wet mix? After this afternoons feed, (3pm) His crop looked more pronounced but he didn't eat much mix, about a teaspoon or so. I think the little air sacs on his neck looked ok but how long should I leave it between feeds at this stage? Should I be able to feel his little breast bone - I could this morning. I heard if I can feel the bone he's too thin. I would appreciate advise asap. Thank you!