Robbie, a little Goffins in need of BIG help
He is the kind of bird you want to snatch up, tuck in to a little blanket, snuggle and never let go. He is so baby like and in need of so much love and attention, I can't believe my eyes.
If you are a bird person, someone who loves those incredible winged creatures, you know you are a magnet for ANYONE who has a bird, knows someone who has a bird or a person who had birds... They are EVERYWHERE.. And inevitably, you wind up talking ABOUT your parrot...
This is the story of how we heard about Robbie and how he came to live with us. A little parrot with a bird heart who needed BIG help.
Robbie, a little Goffins Cockatoo.
Feb. 19th, 2008: WHAT a super little bird. Robbie has all but stopped mutilating himself (YEAHHOOOO!!!), he does over preen a little in the area of his vent but nothing major, we can deal with that !!. We removed the collar months ago as he was getting little sores on his shoulder and neck area. He is smitten with Cheerio, an Umbrella and they love to preen each other. He is still a mush bird. He would rather snuggle and be tickled on the neck then play with a toy.... He has gained weight and is a wonderful flyer !!!
UPDATE- June 7th, 2007: Robbie went to See Dr. Heidi and Michelle today. His booboo looks MUCH BETTER !! We got more meds for him- he has STINKY POO's as they say !! So he is on Flagyl. We also pickup some triple antiotic cream with painkiller for him. HE IS SUCH a good bird !! He lost 5 gms. BUT we think he is back on the gaining end- that he lost more then that and is now gaining weight back. He eats WONDERFULLY !! He is a very submissive bird- always wanting to be picked up, held etc. We couldn't be more thrilled at how well he is doing and we thank his family for contacting us and letting us take care of him.
HIS STORY: I had called a medical office and was speaking with a woman when she heard the birds in the background (NOT hard to miss !! ). She asked "is that a parrot?" I told her yes, we had a parrot rescue and those were some of our birds. She went on to tell me Robbie's story.
About 10 yrs ago, her brother bought Robbie at a local store that specialized in parrots. Several years later because of Robbies screaming, he went to live with her sister in Florida. Sadly, Robbies sounds and noises got him in trouble there as well. Robbie came back to NY to live with thier Mom. She loves Robbie very much and he loves her as well. Sadly, the Mom became ill some time ago and wasn't able to take care of Robbie like she had. He started pulling out his wing feathers, then suddenly, he started to mutilate- in the area of his rectum. He not only chewed and plucked all the feathers- he started on his flesh. Soon the family found some blood in his cage and knew that he needed help.
The woman I was speaking with told me Robbie was causing such an upset, they had to move him to a less busy area in the house and he really needed help.
I told them we would help RIGHT AWAY !! Just let us know. I told her to speak to her brother and we would come get him.
It was a few days later that I got the email- "could I come get Robbie". Within a day we were there. As soon as I walked in the house and looked in his cage- I saw his bottom. I couldn't move fast enough to get him out of the cage. We have had several birds mutilate- but never the vent area. I was almost in shock. It was red, sore, oozing and it looked horrible.
After I picked him up and put him in the carrier, I rushed to the cell phone and called the vet. He needed to be seen TODAY !!
He was wonderful for the car ride. All he wanted was to put his head down to be tickled and talked to. When we arrived at the vet, he sat patiently. He is underweight and you can feel how thin he is when you touch his keel bone. He chewed his vent and the surrounding area raw. He is on pain meds and an antibiotic. He is eating wonderfully. We had to put a collar on him but he has no problems getting around with it. I am not sure what would have happened if his family hadn't contacted us......
He is a such a happy little bird. All he wants is company, someone to hold him and love. We will post updates here... so check back. He has his one week follow up Thursday.
You never know where your help is needed..... I never expected to have someone in the doctors office ask me if we could help with a bird..............
This page was last updated: February 19, 2008
