Help! M2 drinking too much water

[lcarle]

Just got home tonight from being gone for 10 days. Noticed that there was no water in my Muloccan's water dish and yelled for my husband. Apparently he forgot to tell me that for 2 days Buchee has been drinking about 1 1/2 - 2 cups of water each day and draining the water dish. There seems to be some solid formed feces, but yes the paper is very wet as well. My husband says he has been behaving normally and eating fine, just too much water consummation. I will call the vet tomorrow morning, but any advise would be wonderful. Thanks.

[too&me]

You have me confused on that one, perhaps he is substituting water for interaction? Like a new game gone overboard. Do let us know what the Vet says please.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Hi Laura,

It does not seem possible that a bird could drink 1-1/2 to 2 cups of water in a day... I could be wrong - but I have never heard of it.

Could it be he is splashing the water out as Jill suggested?

Increased water consumption is a sign of illness.

Please keep us posted.

Lar

[FoxersArtist]

U2 Bhodi drinks between 1 1/2 - 2 cups of water daily until his dish is bone dry. This is usually a coping mechanism under stress but it can also mean that there is an illness triggering the bird to drink so much. If your M2 really is drinking that much (which would be indicated by very loose, watery stools and an always bursting full crop,) add a little bit of orange gatorade to the water or offer a small amount of salty food like a potato chip. Buchee's metabolic salts are out of whack because she is drinking so much and flushing them out. Do talk to the vet but try not to worry too much. Bhodi has been this way since his arrival and though we have tried, we cannot get him to stop. He is still alive and kicking and doing well, so hopefully Buchee's situation is not life threatening. Another option would be to limit the amount of water Buchee gets. We did that with Bhodi but then I got nervious when I would go in to check on them and his water was always bone dry.
-Anna

[lcarle]

Well, the doctor went home sick today and is not back in the office until Monday. I e-mailed her and can call her at home if I get more worried. She is awesome and we both enjoy visiting with each other.

After reading everyone's responses off 3 different boards(MT, TT, and of course our wonderful family, thanks) many have wondered if he missed me, playing in water, and maybe watch him for a day and start on the apple vinegar water for 10 days. Of course the suggestion to call the vet. I made an appointment with the vet for Monday, I started the vinegar water, I will give him something salty later, and I will keep an eye on him. He is not drinking a lot already today, we do not feel he is playing in his water, never has done that, he has been without me off and on since he has joined our flock, so we will just keep an eye on him and use the vinegar water for now. I sure appreciate your quick responses and will keep you informed. Thanks again!!!!! I think they are all very happy that mommy is home.

[Julie]

Laura,

Sorry I don't have much to offer in the way of knowlege on this one, but huge huggs and we will keep you in our thoughts all week/weekend!!! Keep us posted.

[lcarle]

Update: Ends up the vet had a migraine and managed to stay at work. So I took Buchee in this afternoon and she wanted to keep him. He is usually a nervous bird due to his history, but he is usually sweat. She did not like that he was closing his eyes a couple times and was down 11 grams, I wasn't as concerned since I was not at home feeding him my human food. So she kept him and will do a blood work and urine sampling. She wants to observe him as well. So I will let you know what happens. Oh, she wanted me to stop the vinegar just in case he would not drink if it tasted funny. Also she did not want any salty foods given to him. I sure hope he will be okay!!!! Poor thing!!! He was so scared. Thanks again for your help. Laura

[Chrissy and Flock]

I will be praying for him... keep us posted ...:hgz:

[FoxersArtist]

Wow, how scary. Please, please let us know how he is doing and if you can, let us know what your vet's opinion is so we can keep on learning. :) Bug hugs to you...you must be a wreck.
-Anna

[lcarle]

Usually Buchee and Zoey spend time together by preening, loving each other and of course playing. Zoey use to love mommy and daddy time, cuddling, dancing with mommy, playing peekaboo, etc. Ever since Buchee arrived, all she wants is to be with him and not much of our attention. Buchee on the other had does want our attention still.

It was interesting that Zoey wanted cuddle time with mommy tonight because Buchee was gone. We played alittle peekaboo and she even played by herself. She didn't seem to be too depressed. I was worried they could not live without the other. Wonder how Buchee is doing? They do stay in seperate cages.

[CrystalinNC]

any news yet?

[lcarle]

Coleman, my husband, is going to pick him up right now (I have a hair apointment soon). Buchee has some yeast and a bacteria infection - he had diarrhea - poor thing. I need to put him and Zoey (since she is with Buchee for many hours each day) on the apple vinegar for 10 days and Buchee on some antibiotics. Monday Zoey will go into the vet and be tested as well. At least he does not have diabidies. Need to run.

[bonnie]

I'm glad you got to the bottom of things! I was worried about Buchee.

[too&me]

What a relief to know what is happening. Hugs.

[lcarle]

Buchee is home and seems like his normal self playing with Zoey. Zoey of course was thrilled to have him back!! So tomorrow I have to give Buchee meds for the first time. I will need to move him from his cage (most the time he just wants to stay on top of his cage) use a towel, hold his head and try to get the meds down. Not looking forward to doing this, but I have given meds to Bebe before. It has to be easier!! May need to ask for help if it gets hard. Wish me luck. Just hope Zoey doesn't need meds as well.

Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes.

[Julie]

Laura,

Good luck! I always try to wait for 2 people to get meds or the cone on Carl. YOU CAN DO IT....!

[lcarle]

I sure hope the next meds dilivery goes much better. Buchee did not want off his cage and so Coleman grabbed him with a towel hoding his head well. The first dose he threw back up and he also poked a hole in the suringe. Next does went better, but Coleman got bit bad. Then he ran into our little room by the bathroom and seemed very scared. I sat with him for alittle bit. He finally climbed up on me and I was able to get him back to his cage. I really need to work on stepping up with him this summer!!!! Need to get him away from his cage first and then I will try to wrap him snug in a towel like Buche and see what happens. Boy, it just was not fun!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad it is only once a day!!!!!!!

[Chrissy and Flock]

So glad you were able to get some into him... will pray for easier time tomorrow...

[too&me]

Wish some of us were there tp help you, it is so hard to make ourselves do something they hate so much. Hugs