Accepted Answer

It's possible the color change is the result of food, but 24 hours is a bit too long for me to be comfortable with.


As you know, Lori's tend toward hemochromatosis (iron storage disease), so you have to carefully monitor their food intake. Sticking more with fruits and professional formula is good. It might surprise you to know that green peas have 72 mg of iron per 1/2 cup. A Lorie really shouldn't be eating a lot of them, but maybe a teaspoon full a day added to their overall diet.

About 15% protein overall too; more than this leads to liver and kidney problems.

I like these two info pages for care guides and you might find something new in them as well:

http://www.ukparrotrescue.co.uk/lorikeet-caresheet.html

http://www.the-oasis.org/articles/lory.php

 

She's pretty young to really be showing symptoms of disease at this point, but we all know that anything can happen when it comes to birds.

Monitor her closely, if you notice any other symptoms such as lethargy, fluffing, going to the bottom of the cage (and staying there), going off her food or anything else that you just 'know' is wrong - don't hesitate to have her seen.

Otherwise, I'd like her seen this week just to be safe. Regular visits (every 6 months preferred, but at least once a year is the minimum) are really necessary for all bird owners to avoid complications before they start.

Find an avian vet near you http://aav.org/vet-lookup and

http://veccs.org/hospital_directory.php

Another very productive search site is

http://www.vetwebdirectory.net/index.php?option=com_mtzcssearch&template=2

These days, with birds growing fast in popularity as in home companions, many DVM’s are quite experienced and able to see and treat many birds. If you have a pet store that sells birds or know of any bird breeders – ask them who they use for their bird care.

If you have a Pet Smart in town you may have a vet for your bird. Most Pet Smart’s these days have a veterinary clinic inside and all of them will see smaller birds like this.

To be sure the vet is a good one, make sure you’re there for the exam. This should include hands on, feeling the chest area, peering into the mouth with a well placed flashlight and lifting the tail feathers to examine the vent.

This exam should also include any one or more of the following: Blood tests, gram stains/cultures, x-rays, even oral/crop/tracheal swabs and so on.

If the examining vet doesn’t perform a hands on exam, or worse, leaves your bird in their cage or carrier, leave immediately. This is not the vet for you or your bird.

I think you're doing a very good job - these observations are excellent.

Expert:	S. August Abbott, CAS
Pos. Feedback:	99.6 %
Accepts:
Answered:	12/7/2008

Certified Avian Specialist

Cert. Avian Specialist; Int. Assoc.Animal Behavior Consult; Pet Ind. Joint Advisory Council; author