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eye infection?
Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 6:24 pm
by swanwillow
my females eye has never looked.. right. I figured okay, shes just blind. So I let it go...
I don't mess with them altogether TOO much, but today I realized that it looks cloudy, and a little puffy... Its been slowly getting cloudier and cloudier, and it took til today for me to realize that its actually REALLY cloudy.
trip to the vet in order? you betcha! so, since I'll be paying an arm and a leg for that, anyone think of anything else I should have her check for?
Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 8:23 pm
by Donna
Could be eye inclusions.
The most common inclusions are basically skin cells that grow into the tissue of the cornea. They don't usually effect anything and are usually not even treated.
With some birds it is congenital and some inclusions may have been there since birth. They don't usually get any worse. So a question would be whether or not these have been noticed before or missed in previous exams. Another question would be whether or not your vet wants to monitor them to see if they go away or get worse.
Donna
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 6:25 am
by swanwillow
interesting... I started reading on that, not much info though.. something about Cytomegalovirus, but thats all thats mentioned. I'll have to ask. I just recently bought these birds.. well, 4 months or so ago. SO I really have no background, other than yes, her eye looked funny before; shes also the one that is missing her toes...
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 1:03 pm
by nil
the signs that you mettion is not enough to find the problem.
I think only a avian vet is the solution
Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 3:51 pm
by swanwillow
well, I figured out the problem. I moved them last week out into the kitchen, in hopes that they get more used to people. In return, I can see them more (and sneak them bites of broccoli-they LOVE broccoli!)
ANYWAY. its the male.. hes beating the bejeezus outta her! He tried pulling on her wing, to get her to stay on a perch and I watched in amazement for 4 minutes.. to see if she would stop him or retalliate... nope, poor thing, I finally broke it up.
And I got to watch him attack her face... so, while hes doing all the lovey-dovey stuff, hes also beating her up.
two faced monster! she now has a scab next to her eye, which is clearing up. So, I'm at a loss as to what to do; do I break them up? If yes, do I wait until breeding season to re-introduce? DO I re-introduce, or should I find a mellower male and a outgoing female for the respective pair?
edit; Shes starting to be interested in the nestbox now too... and the whole time I've had them, he regurgitates for her, head bobs, and does little dances. But won't let her eat, drink, or be friendly to me... If I give her a chunk of broccoli, he steals it, throws it on the floor, then takes the next piece I hand them and eats it.
Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 4:20 pm
by Donna
I think I would separate them for now maybe for ever. Think about getting him a female that is more aggressive. It usually is the female that calls all the shots and has a headache until breeding season. These two are not compatible at all with each other. Did you buy this pair as a proven pair? I just find it hard to believe that if they were bonded and proven in the past they would be acting this way toward each other. My pairs get into little squabbles but they have never inflicted any wounds.
Donna
Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:09 pm
by swanwillow
I bought them as an unproven pair. I'll get out the gloves and separate tomorrow then.. good thing I have extra cages! I was actually thinking she might make a good pet... shes so timid, but takes food so nice compared to his trying to kill you attitude. Which, I think points to him being a previous pet in his early years; no fear of people!
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:02 pm
by Lauren

I hope the eye heals soon. Poor lil girl. I thought the females were the more aggressive.

Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 11:57 am
by swanwillow
well, I didn't separate them.
I know, I know

but.. the next day.. and every day since my last post.
Shes in the nest box!!!
SO I ain't gonna move them. Shes coming out for food and drink, and hes leaving her alone. And other than attacking everyone through the cage, Relish is being a good boy. If he gets to close, shes starting to get possessive over the hole, and chases him away. Shes also getting more assertive at ME which is unusual for her. I have the male pretty tamed now, he'll see me making supper, and wait.. wait.. we sit down for dinner, and BAM hes screaming for me to feed him; hes a good broccoli eater (we eat a LOT of broccoli since its one of the few veggies both my boys like) So hes taking food nice from my fingers.
Her eye looks better in the past few days. I have the 2 'small' cages on standby though, just in case something happens.
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 12:23 pm
by nil
but be careful, he may even kill her, and it is strange, usual females attack males
Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 3:07 pm
by swanwillow
yup, I get to watch them. Shes starting to get more aggressive, sooo..
like I said, the other separation cages are within reach!
Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 7:10 pm
by swanwillow
FWIW-separated.
I moved their cage 2 feet to the right (easier access and more sunlight) and he started attacking her.
Took me about 10 minutes, but I got him. He's in a smaller cage, I left her in the big cage... We'll see what happens from here. If she gets more used to her cage without a male, and therefore becomes more aggressive?
Or if his darn flock calling doesn't stop

Ugh, he was throwing himself at the cage, trying to get to her. He's louder than my eclectus!
Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 7:34 pm
by swanwillow
*sighs*
still separated. I can't believe its only been 2 weeks! The female is acting, well, bratty. Shes now biting, flying, nasty little joy! The male just perches on that side of the cage, watching and flock calling to her. She mostly ignores it, until he makes a certain noise, then she'll call back.
Hopefully thats a good sign. AND her eye looks GREAT! shes looking really good right now. 2 more weeks, maybe a month, and we'll see where we are.
Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 1:19 pm
by nil
i think they are in a good way.
i am waitng for the good news