This might be an emergency...

[Larry, Baby and Me]

I found this post on another board --- they can gripe if they want about me posting it here.. I don't care, she got no response over there.

This looks like vet time to me - but I am not sure. Here is what she posted...

I was wondering if anyone could help us. We have a Moluccan female that is approximately 10-years-old. She was egg-bound 2 years ago, and I am wondering how I can tell if she is again. She was with my dad then, and he said her bottom gets puffy. I am not seeing this. She is staying down at the bottom of her cage and trying to ball up a towel with a hanging toy she ripped down into the bottom corner. She then puts her head down and seems as if she is "pushing." My husband has tried touching her around the bottom and she coos (maybe, she's just in heat?). We have looked and have noticed a slight white discharge coming from her bottom. She does not appear sick in any other way. She's eating, talking her normal amount during the day, and does her "performance" before bedtime. Instead of resting on her perches for naps or for bedtime, she is for the past two days going to the bottom of her cage and doing what I explained. Any suggestions? Thank you.

[Evelyn]

I found this post on another board --- they can gripe if they want about me posting it here.. I don't care, she got no response over there.

This looks like vet time to me - but I am not sure. Here is what she posted...

I was wondering if anyone could help us. We have a Moluccan female that is approximately 10-years-old. She was egg-bound 2 years ago, and I am wondering how I can tell if she is again. She was with my dad then, and he said her bottom gets puffy. I am not seeing this. She is staying down at the bottom of her cage and trying to ball up a towel with a hanging toy she ripped down into the bottom corner. She then puts her head down and seems as if she is "pushing." My husband has tried touching her around the bottom and she coos (maybe, she's just in heat?). We have looked and have noticed a slight white discharge coming from her bottom. She does not appear sick in any other way. She's eating, talking her normal amount during the day, and does her "performance" before bedtime. Instead of resting on her perches for naps or for bedtime, she is for the past two days going to the bottom of her cage and doing what I explained. Any suggestions? Thank you.


Hi -
Larry -

Sounds as though she is "in season" and trying to nest. I would be concerned about the white discharge. If she were mine, I would get her to an avian vet ASAP.


Evelyn

[Don]

I think Evelyn may be correct. It is that time of year, and the bird has a history.....

But that is my thought on what little info was posted - I especially like the part about going to a Vet - ASAP !!! Meaning before it's too darned late.

Don

[Larry, Baby and Me]

That is my thought as well. The discharge from the vent threw up red flags to me - but I have no knowledge in that area.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Thanks Don and Evelyn - I will email her.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

This is a common problem... a bird will not show signs of illness before it is too late. They hide their illness so well.

I emailed her.

[birdscomefirst]

This is definitely a nesting behavior. The white discharge could simply be a slight amount of loose feces or urine but it could also be the result of a broken egg.

If an egg breaks, there would most always be a yellow substance( yolk) somewhere visible on the bottom of the cage.

I have a too here that goes through this and is doing the thing now of hanging out on the bottom of the cage. My too is perfectly fine. So, the behavior is totally normal.

The discharge makes this a vet visit for sure just to be sure there is no issue with an egg.

By all means try to, in a nice way make it perfectly clear that only a pro should palpate the vent area if an egg laying situation is a question. Someone who doesn't know what they are doing can easily damage an egg and make a major problem where there wasn't really one in the first place.

A hen with a history of egg issues should always be monitored by an avian vet.

If they get up in the morning and there is an egg on the bottom that is nicely formed, then a call to the vet should be all that is needed unless they see an unusual amount of blood on the egg.

A very small amount of blood on an egg can be normal.

I hope this helps.

Bill

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Bill - it sure did help.

I emailed her a link to this thread. I hope she reads it.

I thank everyone for jumping in and helping.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Question... What is the white discharge that is coming from the bird's vent? Is this normal in egg laying?

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Karen emailed me this morning...

================
Larry,

Thank you so much for emailing me. I looked at the link you sent me. I am calling the vet now.

Again thanks for the help,

Karen
=============

You are so welcome Karen.

If you need help in finding an avian vet on this Sat - please let us know.

Please keep us posted on the outcome. We do worry a lot.

Larry

[birdscomefirst]

The white discharge could simply be the urates leaking a little. Its the white part of a well formed poop.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Great news...Here is an email I just received from Karen...

Hi Larry,

I just wanted to let you know that we took our Sammy (my dad was originally told she was a he) to the vet. There is nothing wrong; she is just looking for a "mate." Since you took the time to email me, I thought you would like to know that she is fine; she's back to her singing screams and mocking me.

Thanks again for your concern and help,
Karen

[too&me]

Yea! Good news to hear you must be so relieved!

[Birdlover]

Always nice to know the outcome! Im so glad her bird is okay :)

[birdscomefirst]

It's Great to hear this Update! I am thrilled that the bird is fine. I am also thrilled that we were able to help!

Bill

[Karen]

I want to thank everyone for helping me with Sammy. I appreciate all the help! She seems to be fine now, she lays on her egg quite a bit, but that does not stop her from her daily conversations with us when we get home for work. She sits on top of her cage and for 20 minutes says every word and phrase she knows with head and wing movement. She would give any actor a run for her money! She still calls herself Sammy Boy, but all we do is laugh!

[EasySpirit]

Some people have kept a very nice relationship with their birds even if there is an egg. Breeders can come by and let you know how their pairs do.

Well, thank you for coming by and giving us an update. Sammy sounds like a wounderful bird and thanks for sharing.

[Don]

Hi Karen, sounds like you have some good time entertainment going there -

Don