Urgent Advice Please- Alfie Is Sick

@Lisa7284
Make the hand rearing formula at its thickest mixture ie the consistency of a bird about to be weaned.
You make it fresh every time no reheating and no feeding it when its stone cold etc
Only feed it at baby formula temperature ie test it on the inside wrist of your hand rather like mothers do with baby milk. DO NOT FEED it too hot you will burn his crop too cool and its hard to digest so it has to be at your inner wrist temperature. When he's done feeding throw the rest away. You will quickly learn how to make up small samples of the formula.
When I am hand rearing using formula like Katee etc then I keep it warm by suspending the mixing bowl inside another bowl of warm water to keep it at temperature.
If your feeding it from a teaspoon use the pointed edge at the tip and gently tilt it to the beak and let him scoop it toward himself do not be tempted to force him to take it. Remember to offer from the correct side if your letting it trickle into his beak its very important while he's feeling weak that he doesn't aspirate it in to his airways
I usually use a grapefruit spoon when hand rearing which is a teaspoon with a more bent and scooped pointed end. You can easily make the tip of the spoon into a more curved pointed end with a hammer if necessary and make sure its a stainless steel spoon NOT one thatis coated in anything. You should be able to find the stainless steel words printed on the underside of the handle.
 
Thank you @DizzyBlue I am not having to put any in his mouth as he is voluntarily eating it off the spoon- he seemed to like it. It is the most interest he has shown in food for days :) Thank you for the advice on the consistency, the instructions on the tub are not that detailed.

Still a little concerned about his fluid intake so think I will set my alarm to go off overnight so I can spoon feed him some water every few hours. It is hard to judge whether to leave him sleep or disturb him to try and get some liquids in him.
 
@sunnyring it would be nice to think he is feeling a bit of comfort and security. It must be scary for him, feeling so weak.

I have noticed he has stopped shivering, so I am hoping that is a good sign. He was looking at me making noises a few minutes ago. Not his usual noises so I am not sure if that is good or bad. He is back to sleeping now.

I have resigned myself to the fact I am clueless. I am trying everything but I have no idea if anything is working. Guess I will just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings. The house is so quiet. No singing or Alfie chatter :(
 
sounds positive to me. shivering stopped- well thats a big plus, he is looking at you- that kind of response shows he is thinking about something other then feeling poorly. noises- who knows? maybe you are getting to hear the noises he made as a chick as he was fed? but point is he has enough spare breath in his lungs to use some of it to make noise-- that is positive.
sickness we are all clueless- all we can do is our best and hope for the best. he is warm, comfortable and has food in his belly- thats a big step up from last night.
 
Sorry flipping in an out as doing Henni's meds always mind boggling she has that many when she's in mutilator mode.
Keep the rearing mix in the fridge and only get it out and make it fresh each time you intend to use it.
I always keep a tub in my freezer that way it stays fresher than the life canister expectancy on the tub, as a just in case precaution should I ever need to use some during the year.
Make it so its glupey and no lumps in it. It's usually made out of a ground maize mixture with added vitamins and minerals.
Try to keep offering him his normal solid fruit and fresh veggies to keep his gut flora and bacteria normal and keep him eating solids
Older birds are usually hand reared by the "older ways" rather than by using a syringe usage of newer generation breeders.
Make sure you clean any stuff off his beak and feathers etc so there is no where any bacteria can build up just a damp cloth to do it but make sure its a clean cloth
I tend to use bottled water to make up mixtures and that way I know that the water is sterile and everything bowls spoon etc is washed thoroughly after every feed without exception.
Currently we don't know the cause of what has made him poorly so keep everything spotless clean as it could be absolutely anything, your in a very warm climate over there with a higher humidity so bacterial can be easily spiking in growth when you least think about it compared to over here.
No shivering like Sunnyring says is a good thing but don't get complacent and make sure he stays warm until this is well and truly over and behind him keep him warm remember he has acclimatised to the temperatures over there so will need to be warmer than just room temperature.
Liquid intake is very important and he will get quite a lot from the hand rearing mix but also offer him water
 
Right bedtime for me have my alarm set for 3am for the next meds in this household
Try and get some sleep Lisa you must be totally shattered and living on nervous energy at the moment.
Your doing more than most would do and your giving Alfie every chance and possibility to get over this and he needs some sleep too.
nite nite hunni x
 
Hope you had a good night with Henni @DizzyBlue xxx

Well Alfie seems to have more energy this morning and is a little bit more feisty. Set my alarm for 3 and he had a little bit of water and 3 grapes. Then set my alarm for 6 got the water but he decided the spoon needed to die and literally pulled it out of my hand and threw it across his travel cage. Then his annoyance was aimed at me, full growl mode and attempted to bite my hand (think I am going to pay later down the line for the towelling, holding by the neck and injections :mad:). He then ate another 4 grapes.

His outburst seems to have tired him out and he is sleeping again but he is alive. This time yesterday I really didn't think he would be so I am very grateful.
 
Keep going feistiness and biting (sorry Lisa) is totally allowed shows he's feeling more aware of his surroundings, just don't let him fire up too much as he will be tired from even short out bursts.
Grape munching and other stuff is good throwing a spoon paddy is also good … double check you got the consistency correct and the temperature as well as if its too cool he will bin it but at the right temperature it will be almost like your regurgitating to him so a spot of bonding :) you could try mixing it with some fresh juice warmed through (not heated completely just warmed) remember your wrist checks and no umps either
 
Thanks @DizzyBlue

He has also pooped during the night. It still doesn't look normal but I was freaking out yesterday evening he had only pooped once. I read that not pooping can be a sign of severe dehydration. So I rang his vet (poor man, think I must have rung him 8 times yesterday but he was very patient with me). Anyway he told me not to panic too much it was to be expected because he isn't eating much. I am to take pictures of his poop this morning and email them to the vet.
 
Morning Lisa. So glad to hear that Alfie (I think I called him Archie before - sorry!) is hanging in there and showing some signs of improvement. It's also good to know that your vet is on hand for calls. That's really important for your own wellbeing. Hopefully today will be even better [emoji847]

Sent from my Moto Z2 Play using Tapatalk
 
Hi Lisa, seems like things are improving, ILY are doing a wonderful job in caring for Alfie. Do you still want me to send the Harrison's? It has been in my freezer as a back up in case needed, but you are welcome if you still want it. I will check my email before leaving for the post office.
 
Its great that he is showing his feelings even if it is for short periods, His medication should start to do its wonders so I hope Alfie will improve from now on, I will say Alfie is a fighter and it is with your care and love that has helped.
 
Alfie collapsed about 20 minutes ago, he is sleeping now. I am hoping he just over exerted himself this morning with his outburst at the spoon.
 
He has had his antibiotic injection. I tried feeding him from a spoon afterwards but quite frankly he is livid and has now taken ownership of the spoon. I don't want him to waste any more of his energy so I will wait until he is asleep before I go on a spoon recovery mission. Sent pictures of his poop and an update to the vet, just waiting for a response.
 
Back
Top Bottom