Macaw regurgitation

Question
QUESTION: I know it's normal for Macaws to regurgitate for you, but is it normal for a young one to do this? Our Greenwing is a little over a year old and she has started to do this especially when she is out playing with me. She did go through a sickness last month (vomiting) I gave her acidpphilus probiotics and she returned to normal within a few days, I had her vet check her out with a clean bill of health. She did again go through a day where she was vomiting last week, I again started her on the acidpphilus probiotics and she is now back to normal. I am just curious if this is normal for her to love regurgitate at such a young age.

ANSWER:  Did the check up include a crop swab and culture?

I'm a firm believer in acidophilus (I use just natural yogurt), but there are times it isn't applicable. In a bird with recurring problems - it would seem the underlying cause is only being covered up rather than eradicated.

Also, when you mention vomiting - this is a very serious symptom.  Can you describe what happened ?

Thanks,

Reverend August Abbott


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QUESTION: When she vomited the first time I found it all around her cage. The next few times I found it on the cage floor and once she vomited on me while I was holding her. The most recent was I found it under her boing on the floor and the second she climbed back into the cage and vomited there. The times I did see her vomit she did the head bob thing and not a side to side motion. No the vet did not do a crop swab and culture. I am a bit concerned as this has not seemed to have gone away completely. Thanks Marianne

ANSWER: If this is true vomiting there's no home treatment and none should be attempted.  It wastes valuable time that's necessary for her survival.  She needs to see a vet who knows birds, preferably a board certified avian vet.

Vomiting is often a clear, very sticky substance and as you describe would be all over the place, including the bird.
Vomiting is nearly ALWAYS caused by a more serious underlying condition (too many to begin to be able to address) and early, appropriate treatment may mean the difference in survival.

It also explains why it has not resolved completely with home treatment.

Please don't hesitate any longer ok?


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: No I will take her in and have a crop swab and culture done ASAP. When she did vomit or regurgitate it was undigested food (nuts, corn etc.). There was no clear substance, it was kind of all over the first time when I discovered it. The following ones were just concentrated to the floor of the cage and on me. What the vet did on the first visit is he did do a fecal gram stain that came back normal. Does this also explain the regurgitation at such a young age?
Thank you for your expertise
Marianne

Answer
Regurgitation is hard wired and can start at just a few months old, so I wouldn't worry so much about this as I'd be doing whatever is necessary to prevent it.
 When a bird begins the head bobbing to regurgitate, turn your back, stop all activity, don't yell or discipline, just say something 'not necessary' (I don't care to use the "no" word unless it's something more serious than this).
 Pulling, tugging or lots of beak play may be encouraging this.  Though hard to resist, this sort of play should be curbed (I still do it, but not a lot).

Now, the vomiting is different.  Instead of head bobbing, a bird is often sort of surprised themselves when this happens and they shake it off (and out) by shaking their heads side to side. Vomit will be found sprayed all over, including, quite often, on the bird.  It's usually a sticky substance with much less food in it than you'd see in regurgitation - sometimes completely clear (almost like corn syrup).

As mentioned earlier, regurgitation isn't as much of a concern as vomit.  Vomiting is nearly always caused by something else more serious.

It's excellent that your vet did a fecal gram stain and it's better still that it's negative. A crop swab - or even just an oral swab may be helpful in deciding if this is a yeast/fungal infection (it could be that simple).
 Actually, in that your probiotics seemed to fix it for a while would make me think that this is what's going on.  She may need a course of meds to knock it out and then you never have to look back.
 And keep up the good work by the way. A daily spoon of natural yogurt is a great supplement to maintain.

Please let me know how she makes out

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