Low Calcium?

[tony71]

Hi Guys,

Last week my Lovebird who is 9 years old did not have proper balance and I took her to the vet they gave her shots and she seemed to be ok. This weekend the same thing and I noticed her left feet seems to be the problem, so I took her to the vet I usually take her to and they did x-ray and it seems she is low on calcium.

They gave me neocal and another liquid to use for 7 days for anti infection. Has anyone had similiar problem with their Lovebird? I'am thinking of putting a warm heater under her cage to keep her comfortable and I also ordered

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027IY3AG/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It is a calcium powder which you pour on the food. from what I read in the review section from one of the buyers, it seems my bird is having the same issue.

Other than that she is eating and very vocal but has a hard time trying to get to her food so I have put the cup of food on the cage floor.

[linda040899]

Are both items you got from your vet administered orally rather than put in water? What he gave you is a good supplement (Neocal) and he may be able to give you more so that you can continue supplementing with calcium. The problem with a calcium supplement is that birds need Vit D in order to use what they ingest. Try adding egg or eggfood, as well, as egg is a good source for Vit D. Natural sunlight is the number 1 source, if it's available.

Low calcium can cause what you are seeing, so hopefully, the supplement will do the trick.

[tony71]

They are both suupose to be given orally. She doesnt like it that is why I bought the calcium poweder so I can pour on her pellets. Tried giving her egg whites she is not a fan of it.

[linda040899]

Try some eggfood over her food and see if she eats it. You can also try scrambled egg. Vit D is in the yolk and she may like scrambled better. Just add it to her food.

[tony71]

I will go ahead and try that.

Thanks!

[tony71]

Funny now she is eating egg whites like she loves them.

[tony71]

Today she is holding her left feet up, I noticed she has been picking at it since yesterday.

I called the vet and the xray didnt show it was broken or anything. She said to incream the dose of the mexlicam to twice the day since that is for pain and things don't improve to bring her back on Thursday. I'am starting to think calcium is not the issue here.

[linda040899]

I wonder if the problem could be Giardia. That can cause picking at the feet.

[tony71]

You know you maybe right. I did some research online and it maybe what is causing it. She used to pick her feet before but not like the past two days and and the feather picking and dry skin are the symptoms.

[linda040899]

The test for Giardia is done by collecting droppings over several days. It's not the easiest diagnosis to get but it's treatable.

[tony71]

Got the package to collect the dropping over the next
Few days. I also ordered http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002MV9UDS/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1369177373&sr=8-2&pi=SL75 from amazon which seems to help with giardiasis

[linda040899]

Good! Avian Biotech, I believe, also does testing.

[tony71]

Going to give it to the vet so they can ship it out. This morning no difference, holding her feet up and seemed to be in pain. Took her in for blood work as well and they gave her a stronger pain killer and she seems better resting but till feet up and her head on the cage floor to keep her balance.

She has a big appetite and comes out and stands on both feet at the edge of the cage which is strange.

[tony71]

Got a message from the vet the blood work came back and it seems it is the kidney function. That maybe causing the pain in the feet. Is there something to help the kidney?

[tony71]

found out her phosphorus is high it is 12.4 when a normal bird should be between 3 to 7. This maybe causing the pain in the kidney. Anyone ever had this with their little birdy?