Zazu update and question

[cacaye]

A few months ago I posted about finding a shorter cage for Zazu, who has started to suffer seizure-like episodes. I was concerned that his 2' high cage was dangerous in case he had a seizure while perched near the top.

Comments

[ejw829]

Sweet Zazu... love that little guy :)

Have you thought about using a hamster or rat cage? I've seen them used for bitty parrots who mobility issues. If he's not able to climb you could use a fish tank.

[cacaye]

Yes, someone had suggested a hamster cage when I asked a few months ago. I decided I want to wait to buy something until we know for sure what's going on (atherosclerosis is just a best guess at the moment, it could also be a brain tumor), but it's my first choice for a more permanent strategy once we know more. The woman with the parrotlet had done this cardboard platform contraption in a hamster cage and it seemed like a pretty good plan.

[txscyn]

a large part of what is going on i would bet is all the nice soft cushy things to snuggle up to and hide in. I would suspect that it is triggering his hormones on top of the health issues. maybe a ten gallon tank with a wire lid and a not so attractive to chew kind of bedding? Maybe something like feline pine? which expands into saw dust when it gets wet or walnut shells?

[cacaye]

Ah yes, I suspected that the cushiness might be the problem. Perhaps I'll walk up to the local pet store and look for something like that. Thanks!

[stainedfeathers]

I would avoid pine or cedar bedding. Cedar causes really bad respiratory problems as does pine. There's a theory that heat treating it makes it safe for pets, but it's unclear weather thats true or not. Some sources say it's fine, others cite problems. I'd stay away from it all together. Maybe try something like yesterdaysNews litter, which is newspaper pellets.

[cacaye]

Thanks. Yeah, I'll have to go and see what they have to offer and see what my options are. He loves to try to eat things, so I'll have to make sure whatever it is is safe for him to eat, while also being safe for him to land on in case he falls (though he now doesn't have far to fall). I wish he didn't love to eat paper so much or I'd just use newspaper!

[mimimanderly]

Hell, if I had all that comfy cushiness, I'd be defending it too! Watch it, or he'll be nagging you for a big screen TV and a kegerator next! :)

[cacaye]

LOL.

[darthtunaqueen]

My I-have-a-horseshoe-shoved-up-my-butt cockatiel eats paper. Not newspaper, only white paper. He's done this for YEARS. Everything in my parents house has chunks missing from it, thanks to bird chewing (even a bunch of my textbooks from my undergrad have chew marks on some of the pages). He's been to the vet a ton of times, but he seems to suffer no ill effects from it (contrary to a broken foot, concussion, lead poisoning and being stepped on that's he's already endured in his 14 years of life, and frankly I'm amazed that he's made it this long!). My dad is a slob, so there's always crap lying around.

So, that's just from someone whose bird eats paper on a regular basis. :)

[cacaye]

Thanks! I was at the vet for a check-up this morning and it seemed like no one had ever heard of a bird *eating* paper, so it's good to know Zazu isn't alone! :)

Update

[cacaye]

Phew, since changing his cage to this new set-up his behaviour has completely changed back to normal. No more biting, much less regurgitating on his toy, and no more cage protectiveness. I have my cute, cuddly bird back. Yay! I think you were all right - the top blanket I had was just way too cushy, the whole set-up way too cozy and nesty. He seems to be doing much better now. Thanks everyone!