sick baby parrot

Question
QUESTION: I have a 2 month old yellow head parrot name Jerry.  Just today I noticed he started vomiting about 4 times today and has looser stools then before.  He is also not that active as he was yesterday. I have been feeding him oatmeal three times a day with a pinch of sugar because he hates his other formula.  He eats very well but I am concerned because he is not himself.  Could it be the oatmeal making him sick? What else can I feed him as a baby?

ANSWER: Hello Linda and thank you for your post.
I am sorry that Jerry is not feeling well.
It could be the oatmeal that is making him sick, but I doubt it.  The best thing for you to do is to take Jerry into a Certified Avian or Exotic Animal Vet ASAP o have him checked out. It sounds like it could be something that may be a little more serious, and if left untreated, it could be fatal to him.
There are many things that can cause a bird to vomit and have runny stools, and none of them are good.
You can try giving him some mushed up banana, and have his formula mixed up in it.  Just be careful that you don't fed him too much banana as this can also cause his stools to be runny.
Also, try giving him some Pedilyte.  This can be found in the infant section at your local grocery store.  This will help to keep Jerry from getting too dehydrated, but be sure to water it down a bit.
When you are changing his food and water, don't give him tap water or distilled water.  I like to use Nursery Water for my birds.  It is designed for a baby's sensitive digestive system.
As I have stated before, though, do get Jerry into a Certified Avian or an Exotic Animal Vet to have him checked just to be on the safe side.
Please keep me informed on how Jerry is doing.

Good luck and God Bless.
Dianna

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

QUESTION: THANK YOU FOR RESPONDING QUICKLY TO MY QUESTION.  MY PARROT JERRY SEEMS TO BE DOING MUCH BETTER TODAY.  MY MISTAKE MIGHT HAVE BEEN THAT I WAS FEEDING HIM ONLY OATMEAL AND IT WASN'T ENOUGH TO MEET HIS NUTRITIONAL NEEDS.  I INTRODUCED NEW FOODS LIKE FRUITS, CEREAL, AND VEGETABLES AND HE JUST SEEMS LIKE HIMSELF AGAIN.  I EVEN TRIED THE BANANA AND HIS FORMULA AND HE ATE IT ALL, SO THANKS FOR THE ADVISE.  THE PEDILYTE WAS A GREAT IDEA TOO, I WOULD HAVE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THAT.  I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION: JERRY IS 2 MONTHS OLD AND I AM STILL HAND FEEDING HIM, MORE OR LESS HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO HAND FEED HIM BECAUSE HE IS ALMOST FULL OF FEATHERS?  HOW DO I KNOW WHEN TO START WEANING HIM?

THANKS,
LINDA

Answer
Hello again Linda.
I am glad that Jerry is feeling better!
In another 3-4 weeks you can start introducing a normal diet to Jerry.  This will be a perfect time to introduce a pelleted diet to Jerry.  You can put a small dish of pellets into his cage and continue to feed him the the other foods.  When he is ready, he will start eating the pellets (which are actually the best diet for him).  You should also continue to feed him fruits and vegetables, and even fully cooked meat when he is weaned off of the formula.  
A well balanced diet will help to ensure a long and healthy life for Jerry.

God Bless.
Dianna