14 yr old parakeet no longer flies

by Lucy
(Oregon)

Hi, my old 14 yr old best pal keety is in excellent health, but over the last year or two he began flying less and less--in distance and height, until he is unable to even fly arm's length-- and able to climb up on cage less, too. This was a gradual change...


I am wondering if it is old age arthritis..? as his wings look perfect, he has good appetite, same weight all his life...and a happy chirper but a bit quieter.. I am wondering if there is a supplement to aid his situation...
I'm having much trouble the last few years in finding much info about AGING parakeets! :)
Thank you so much for any insight and advice. I have taken Tweet to the vet a few times but there is no avian knowledge, really, and live hours away from a specialist --plus am not able to afford now. We grew old together, ha.

Comments for 14 yr old parakeet no longer flies

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Jan 24, 2011
 Parakeet can't fly
by: The Avian Vet

This could be age related like arthritis, but it may be more serious and you should take him in to be seen by an avian veterinarian. It is worth the drive to a specialist. It is not normal. A good supplement is AVI-x Booster. But most important is that you feed him a balanced complete diet in the form of pellets, like Harrison's.

Dr B
Find an Avian Vet
Jan 24, 2011
 14 yr old parakeet no longer flies
by: Linda

Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but you will have to take him to an Avian Vet. The vet you took him to is not licensed or trained in the care of birds, and most will do nothing. The ones who try to either diagnose and/or treat sometimes kill the birds because birds carry no fat, have hollow bones and are easy to overdose with medications.

If he has spent his life on the plain wooden dowels, then yes, he has arthritis. Birds have to be kept on safe wood natural branches so their feet and legs can take advantage of the different diameters. (Not saying your bird has been on wooden dowels.)

Please do not give him any over the counter medications as most of these will kill him. AVIx is not medication, so it is okay to give your bird. Also, do not ask pet store people because, here again, often they do not know what they are doing, and the medicines they carry are dangerous to all birds. They sell them because unknowing people still buy them, so don't be one of them.

You'll need to find someone to help you get to the Avian Vet even it they are a few hours away. Avian Vet is one of the requirements of having birds because they do get sick or become injured from time to time.Regular dog and cat vets usually will not even look at birds because they do not know what they're doing and know they may kill the bird trying to treat it.

Best of luck and hope you can find a way to get your bird to an Avian Vet.

Linda

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