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My foster baby birds are suffering from splay legs and weird poop. (1 Viewer)

Hi everyone!


I just came back from the vet and he has told me that Tara has muscle dystrophy in one leg (the one that I was thinking was broken). I asked him if he could do a test on their poop for worms, but he said that there was no need. He said that the yellow poop could be a result of the boiled egg. He has also said to try giving them raw egg. Is that okay?


I have been told to continue the Calcium + Vitamin D3 tablets and Cod Liver Oil for 8 more days. I have also been told to start giving the supplement proviboost (2 drops in the morning and 2 drops in the evening) to them. I have been using proviboost for almost 2 years for my chicken, Mr. Brownie.



But what I'm concerned about is that he has said that nothing can be done for their legs. Actually, we don't really have any avian specialists here so that vet that I took them to was also a dog doctor mainly.



Does anyone know what I can do? Sending them to a rehabilitation center etc is not an option right now. So, please please if anyone can advice me on what I can do for them at my home regarding the muscle dystrophy, I would be so very grateful.
 
I just came back from the vet and he has told me that Tara has muscle dystrophy in one leg (the one that I was thinking was broken). I asked him if he could do a test on their poop for worms, but he said that there was no need. He said that the yellow poop could be a result of the boiled egg. He has also said to try giving them raw egg. Is that okay?
Well, that's what the doctor ordered then! :) I would include the crushed eggshell.

Probably they will improve with a good diet. Even if they have some malnourishment I guess they will have some resilience.

But what I'm concerned about is that he has said that nothing can be done for their legs. Actually, we don't really have any avian specialists here so that vet that I took them to was also a dog doctor mainly.
Well, that's complicated. Dog or not dog, vertebrates have a lot in common. If the leg problem is diet related they should really improve.

Does anyone know what I can do? Sending them to a rehabilitation center etc is not an option right now. So, please please if anyone can advice me on what I can do for them at my home regarding the muscle dystrophy, I would be so very grateful.
Well, improved diet with all the suggestions your vet and us gave you.

And remember that improvement might be slow so don't get anxious if you don't see an improvement in a week or two.
 
I found a Spanish paper on the diet of Black-crowned night heron nestlings in Extremadura (Spain).

https://www.ardeola.org/uploads/articles/docs/220.pdf

This is the summary in English, from the article:

------------
266 nourishing bolus of black croamed nigbt heron nestlings have been analysed in Extremadura. In the composition of their diet, fish is the most frequent group (93.67 %), the presence of Barbus comiza being outstanding with 76.3 % in relation to the total percentage. The food of young herons in Extremadura differs from other localities in which consumption of amphibia is more marked. This small comsumption of amphibia is possibly due to their absence in the Guadiana river, due in turn to the fact that they have bem decimated by different species of introduced fish. Adult birds in the breeding season also hunt in dayligh by capturing smaller prey than they usually consume. This fact may be due to the intention to supply the nestlings with food items of an adequate size. The size oí prey consumed by chicks increase with advancing age.

-----------


They have compared their findings with studies made in other regions. While in Extremadura (Spain) the diet is based mostly on fish (97% of biomass), in Hungary insects and amphibians dominate, in a location in France crustaceans and insecta make up 76% while in a different location in France it's insecta and fish.
 
At the risk of getting really repetitive, don't give them eggs. That's like giving baby food to a teenager. Give them whole food - it really doesn't matter if mostly fish, with invertebrates or similar.

That will be a good start, vitamin supplements can only help.
 
Well, that's what the doctor ordered then! :) I would include the crushed eggshell.

Probably they will improve with a good diet. Even if they have some malnourishment I guess they will have some resilience.


Well, that's complicated. Dog or not dog, vertebrates have a lot in common. If the leg problem is diet related they should really improve.


Well, improved diet with all the suggestions your vet and us gave you.

And remember that improvement might be slow so don't get anxious if you don't see an improvement in a week or two.


I see your point. I'm actually not a medical person so I don't know anything about muscles and vertebrates. Will try to find out more for sure!

I'll try to keep a calm head.. though I do have a bad habit of panicking when it comes to my birds. I never self medicate, but my heart goes mad with worry.

My vet was again, not an avian vet. I've spoken to an avian vet from Canada and am waiting for their reply. Fingers crossed that they are able to help me.
 
I found a Spanish paper on the diet of Black-crowned night heron nestlings in Extremadura (Spain).

https://www.ardeola.org/uploads/articles/docs/220.pdf

This is the summary in English, from the article:

------------
266 nourishing bolus of black croamed nigbt heron nestlings have been analysed in Extremadura. In the composition of their diet, fish is the most frequent group (93.67 %), the presence of Barbus comiza being outstanding with 76.3 % in relation to the total percentage. The food of young herons in Extremadura differs from other localities in which consumption of amphibia is more marked. This small comsumption of amphibia is possibly due to their absence in the Guadiana river, due in turn to the fact that they have bem decimated by different species of introduced fish. Adult birds in the breeding season also hunt in dayligh by capturing smaller prey than they usually consume. This fact may be due to the intention to supply the nestlings with food items of an adequate size. The size oí prey consumed by chicks increase with advancing age.

-----------


They have compared their findings with studies made in other regions. While in Extremadura (Spain) the diet is based mostly on fish (97% of biomass), in Hungary insects and amphibians dominate, in a location in France crustaceans and insecta make up 76% while in a different location in France it's insecta and fish.


This is amazing! Thank you so much!
 
At the risk of getting really repetitive, don't give them eggs. That's like giving baby food to a teenager. Give them whole food - it really doesn't matter if mostly fish, with invertebrates or similar.

That will be a good start, vitamin supplements can only help.

I totally understand your point! Ultimately, it's the diet that matters the most.
I have actually run out of fish right now and am waiting for the online delivery. So, right now I have no other option.

But I am making sure to put them in the Sun daily.

However, they really love fish! The first time I gave them a piece, the two jumped at it like crazy! They just gobble it up, so I have to make sure it is bite sized. Poor babies might choke otherwise.
 
I totally understand your point! Ultimately, it's the diet that matters the most.
I have actually run out of fish right now and am waiting for the online delivery. So, right now I have no other option.

But I am making sure to put them in the Sun daily.

However, they really love fish! The first time I gave them a piece, the two jumped at it like crazy! They just gobble it up, so I have to make sure it is bite sized. Poor babies might choke otherwise.

Of course they must love it, and crustaceans like shrimp! It's their natural diet.

I forgot something about shrimp: Depending on the size it would be a good idea to cut out the sometimes big spur they have on the "head" (technical name would be carapace) between the eyes before feeding them.
 
An update about Chand and Tara!

I took them to another vet and he confirmed that Tara did have a broken bone in his left leg, which was causing muscle dystrophy.
He has advised me to give him physiotherapy for 3 to 4 minutes daily. What I'm doing is, I massage his leg muscle, rotate the leg and do push and pull motions to give his muscle excersise. I hope that will stop it from wasting away further.

I have also been told to make them practice perching daily. Tara is able to stand and perch on one leg, and Chand is able to with both his legs despite his splayed legs problem. Both slip a lot and fall as well but I stay around to catch them and put them back on the perch. They do this daily for 5 to 10 minutes.

A person also told me that Omega 3 can help in muscle dystrophy. That is present in cod liver oil, so I'm going to give it to him and Chand 3 times a week. Is that too much? Or too less? Any suggestions would be helpful.

Also, the reason that I took them to this vet was because I saw fleas crawling on Chand's head. I rushed them to him the next day and you all won't believe it! Chand was infested with fleas! Such a small body and there must have been hundreds of fleas on him! The vet had to spray him with the fleas remover thrice with breaks in between. Tara got sprayed twice.

I'm going to take them back after a week of this spray for another check up. I really hope that the fleas are gone.

I have also dewormed them 2 days ago using Albomar (it has Albendazole in it) but their poop is still yellow! I'm so confused!
 
An update about Chand and Tara!





A person also told me that Omega 3 can help in muscle dystrophy. That is present in cod liver oil, so I'm going to give it to him and Chand 3 times a week. Is that too much? Or too less? Any



I have also dewormed them 2 days ago using Albomar (it has Albendazole in it) but their poop is still yellow! I'm so confused!


Well, so there seems to be an improvement!

I would insist on diet. Some fatty fishes such as mackerel, sardines and salmon are rich on Omega 3 fatty acids.

At the risk of repeating myself, can you obtain live tadpoles? Maybe you could try to set up a large bowl with water and live tadpoles and see if they can actually catch them.

What are they eating now?
 
Well, so there seems to be an improvement!

I would insist on diet. Some fatty fishes such as mackerel, sardines and salmon are rich on Omega 3 fatty acids.

At the risk of repeating myself, can you obtain live tadpoles? Maybe you could try to set up a large bowl with water and live tadpoles and see if they can actually catch them.

What are they eating now?

Till now I've managed to find dried anchovies and canned tuna in my area, though I've not yet introduced them in their diet. What would you suggest? I was told that dried anchovies may not work as well, and since Chand and Tara are so tiny, I don't know if they can really digest it properly..
The rest of the fish etc. are out of stock or simply not available. I'll search for the rest of the fish that you have mentioned and see what I can obtain. I'm trying my best to get whatever I can, so I hope you don't feel that I'm ignoring anyone's advice.

Right now they are eating boiled eggs and lots of raw fish fillets. I was also told by a friend to try giving them some fruits for extra vitamins. I gave them a mash of apples and corns and at first they loved it.. but only that once lmao
I also tried to give them boiled chana dal (pulses) since that is very high in protein content. Again they had it once and then just a big no. So, I'm sticking to fish, boiled eggs, multivitamins once a day (2 drops or so) and cod liver fish oil 3 times a week.

These two may not be able to walk properly, but they fight like little devils and jump around to be the first to get the fish pieces! That really helps my mood.. seriously, Chand is so tiny that my heart breaks sometimes. And Tara's broken leg just hangs out while he stands on the other one.. Sorry about writing all this but sometimes I look at them and want to cry.

Thank you for your help!
 
Good that you're trying hard for them.

How far are you from the coast? Are there any food markets where they sell fish at all? I'm assuming you are in India and various cheap protein types of insect, crustacean or random fish are available.

I'm just worried that the diet you are giving them is too rich, not enough roughage and random stuff in it. Trying to replicate a natural diet artificially is always going to be hard, and a poor substitute - you just want to give them the cheapest and cheerful random stuff (real food) that you can find. Worms from the backyard, anything really. Can you delegate some kids to find you grasshoppers or small fish even?
 
Good that you're trying hard for them.

How far are you from the coast? Are there any food markets where they sell fish at all? I'm assuming you are in India and various cheap protein types of insect, crustacean or random fish are available.

I'm just worried that the diet you are giving them is too rich, not enough roughage and random stuff in it. Trying to replicate a natural diet artificially is always going to be hard, and a poor substitute - you just want to give them the cheapest and cheerful random stuff (real food) that you can find. Worms from the backyard, anything really. Can you delegate some kids to find you grasshoppers or small fish even?


Hi! I'm quite far from the coast.

However, I have found some shrimp in my nearby markets and will be getting them delivered today. They also said that they have dried fish.. is that okay to give to the kids?
 
Hi! I'm quite far from the coast.

However, I have found some shrimp in my nearby markets and will be getting them delivered today. They also said that they have dried fish.. is that okay to give to the kids?

I'd soak the fish first - not sure how long - overnight/couple hours or until reasonably rehydrated? In fridge if poss? You might have to have a play. If they are dried just be absolutely sure they aren't salted too. (Presume you can test them on yourself for saltiness and edibility?)

Keep the diet varied at any rate ...

;)
 
I'd soak the fish first - not sure how long - overnight/couple hours or until reasonably rehydrated? In fridge if poss? You might have to have a play. If they are dried just be absolutely sure they aren't salted too. (Presume you can test them on yourself for saltiness and edibility?)

Keep the diet varied at any rate ...

;)

I'll attach the picture of the dried fish and prawns that I managed to find today.

I'm actually a vegetarian so I don't even eat eggs. However, I'll ask the person I got them from if the foods are salted. He said that people from farms purchase these dried fish and dried prawns, grind them and mix them with the feed for their birds or chickens.
 
I'll attach the picture of the dried fish and prawns that I managed to find today.

I'm actually a vegetarian so I don't even eat eggs. However, I'll ask the person I got them from if the foods are salted. He said that people from farms purchase these dried fish and dried prawns, grind them and mix them with the feed for their birds or chickens.

20200823_215329.jpg
 
I'd soak the fish first - not sure how long - overnight/couple hours or until reasonably rehydrated? In fridge if poss? You might have to have a play. If they are dried just be absolutely sure they aren't salted too. (Presume you can test them on yourself for saltiness and edibility?)

Keep the diet varied at any rate ...

;)

Hi! So, I spoke to the person I purchased these from and he said that they were salted :(
What to do?
 
That's what I thought Tanya.

Soak them in fresh water. Then wash a few times until the taste of salt has dissipated, would be my suggestion.
 
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