Something's Up With My Grandma's Canary... - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Pogue Mahone · 05-13-2007, 04:33 PM

I just got back from my grandma's for Mother's Day. Usually, her house is filled with her bird's songs and chirps, but today, it was mostly mute. I say "mostly" because it did make this odd clicking sound and now and again, it would stifle a cluck. Every now and again, it would chirp. For the most part, it was fine, hopping around, eating, pooping, etc. But all the while, it was poofed out like it was cold. But the thing is, it was out in the kitchen where it gets plenty of warmth and there was no draft to speak of. Also, when it would drink water, it would act like it was choking. That's the best way I can describe it. It would dip its beak in the water, take a few sips, tip its like it was trying to swallow, then start choking like the water went down the wrong pipe. Then it would freak out, sneeze for a bit, then it would be back to normal.

Has anyone else's bird(s) done this?

tenniels · 05-13-2007, 05:11 PM

I'm scared of birds, so that would just freak me out. It sounds like it could be sick, as it is acting out of the norm. Could someone take it to the vet for your grandma?

*Nikki* · 05-18-2007, 02:21 PM

Sounds to me like it might be a respiratory problem. Poor thing, I would get it checked out.

Acetylene · 05-18-2007, 02:57 PM

Yes, it's sick and might die with alarming speed. Birds sicken and die amazingly quickly at times. Take it to a bird specialist ASAP!! If you don't have a bird specialist, a regular exotics vet might do. If you can't take it to any kind of vet, you might be able to get tetracycline or other antibiotic meant for birds at your pet store.

irateplatypus · 07-31-2007, 04:33 AM

birds have highly sensitive respiratory systems. a grave and common danger household birds face is the chemical release of hot teflon coated pans. the non-stick surface releases gases that can easily kill a bird. if you're grandmother ever uses non-stick cookware i recommend moving the bird immediately.

Merlocke · 08-12-2007, 01:23 AM

Birds have a tendency to hide sicknesses until it can't any longer. This is a self preservation behavior built in so that when a predator shows up, they don't look like the weaker slower easier meal.

My bird had a respiratory problem due to some work being done on the house. Turns out that the dust, alongside the cold air coming in gave the poor thing pneumonia and we had to take it to a bird hospital for anti-biotics. Bird's back to being fine and singing again as usual.

Grasshopper Green · 08-13-2007, 05:55 PM

The kitchen is one of the worst places for a bird.

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer...=pets_birdcare

Not only is it because of Teflon and other fumes as Irateplatypus mentioned, but often there is a door in the kitchen, and even a small draft can be harmful for the bird. The uneven temperatures associated with cooking and cooling down can also be harmful for pet birds.

albania · 08-13-2007, 06:04 PM

First off, poor poor bird, but this was posted 3 months ago ... so the question that's on my mind is ... is it dead yet?

Grasshopper Green · 08-13-2007, 06:14 PM

Ack! I didn't even notice that when I posted. Still..anyone that reads this and has a pet bird in the kitchen...move it!

Nimetic · 08-14-2007, 03:51 AM

I'd hate to make a bad joke of this.

But given that the canary is sick, I'd evacuate your grandma right away.

05-13-2007, 04:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pogue Mahone Crazy Location: Denver, Colorado	Something's Up With My Grandma's Canary... I just got back from my grandma's for Mother's Day. Usually, her house is filled with her bird's songs and chirps, but today, it was mostly mute. I say "mostly" because it did make this odd clicking sound and now and again, it would stifle a cluck. Every now and again, it would chirp. For the most part, it was fine, hopping around, eating, pooping, etc. But all the while, it was poofed out like it was cold. But the thing is, it was out in the kitchen where it gets plenty of warmth and there was no draft to speak of. Also, when it would drink water, it would act like it was choking. That's the best way I can describe it. It would dip its beak in the water, take a few sips, tip its like it was trying to swallow, then start choking like the water went down the wrong pipe. Then it would freak out, sneeze for a bit, then it would be back to normal. Has anyone else's bird(s) done this? __________________ I still wave at the dots on the shore And I still beat my head against the door I still rage and wage my little war I'm a shade and easy to ignore

05-13-2007, 05:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
tenniels Insane Location: Oh Canada!!	I'm scared of birds, so that would just freak me out. It sounds like it could be sick, as it is acting out of the norm. Could someone take it to the vet for your grandma? __________________ I like things. And stuff. But I prefer to have things over stuff.

05-18-2007, 02:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Acetylene Addict Location: under a rock	Yes, it's sick and might die with alarming speed. Birds sicken and die amazingly quickly at times. Take it to a bird specialist ASAP!! If you don't have a bird specialist, a regular exotics vet might do. If you can't take it to any kind of vet, you might be able to get tetracycline or other antibiotic meant for birds at your pet store. __________________ There's no justice. There's just us.

07-31-2007, 04:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
irateplatypus can't help but laugh Location: dar al-harb	birds have highly sensitive respiratory systems. a grave and common danger household birds face is the chemical release of hot teflon coated pans. the non-stick surface releases gases that can easily kill a bird. if you're grandmother ever uses non-stick cookware i recommend moving the bird immediately. __________________ If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves. ~ Winston Churchill

08-12-2007, 01:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
Merlocke Location: Canada	Birds have a tendency to hide sicknesses until it can't any longer. This is a self preservation behavior built in so that when a predator shows up, they don't look like the weaker slower easier meal. My bird had a respiratory problem due to some work being done on the house. Turns out that the dust, alongside the cold air coming in gave the poor thing pneumonia and we had to take it to a bird hospital for anti-biotics. Bird's back to being fine and singing again as usual. __________________ -=[ Merlocke ]=-

05-18-2007, 02:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nikki ~~~~~~~ Location: Charleston, SC	Sounds to me like it might be a respiratory problem. Poor thing, I would get it checked out.

08-13-2007, 05:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
Grasshopper Green ...is a comical chap Location: Where morons reign supreme	The kitchen is one of the worst places for a bird. http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer...=pets_birdcare Not only is it because of Teflon and other fumes as Irateplatypus mentioned, but often there is a door in the kitchen, and even a small draft can be harmful for the bird. The uneven temperatures associated with cooking and cooling down can also be harmful for pet birds. __________________ "They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings; steal a little and they throw you in jail, steal a lot and they make you king" Formerly Medusa

08-13-2007, 06:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
albania Psycho	First off, poor poor bird, but this was posted 3 months ago ... so the question that's on my mind is ... is it dead yet?

08-13-2007, 06:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
Grasshopper Green ...is a comical chap Location: Where morons reign supreme	Ack! I didn't even notice that when I posted. Still..anyone that reads this and has a pet bird in the kitchen...move it! __________________ "They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings; steal a little and they throw you in jail, steal a lot and they make you king" Formerly Medusa

08-14-2007, 03:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
Nimetic Junkie Location: Melbourne, Australia	I'd hate to make a bad joke of this. But given that the canary is sick, I'd evacuate your grandma right away.