Thanks for your interesting post; you raise a number of very important issues. The situation you describe is even more serious with regard to pet reptiles – hatchling sliders sold (illegally) for .50 but needing set-ups costing several hundred dollars in time; green iguanas given away with purchase of a small aquarium and so on. Unfortunately, many people do not research the costs involved before purchasing pets, especially those sold cheaply or given away.

Here in NYC vet care for birds and reptiles is as expensive, or more so due to specialized doctors being in short supply, as for dogs. There are insurance policies available (for dogs, not sure about others) but premiums are quite costly.

I hope all works out well.

Good luck, and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Thanks for your interest in our blog. Bleeding from the cloaca can indicate a wide variety of problems; unfortunately, it is not possible to diagnose or treat this problem at home. I wish I had better news for you, but it would be irresponsible of me to suggest anything other than a vet visit. Keep the bird calm and warm for now. Perhaps a local bird club or cockatiel/parrot society can direct you to a vet that cooperates with them, or a vet that is a member?…this is sometimes a less expensive option.

Please let me know if you need any further information. Good luck and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Thanks for your interest in our blog.

Sorry to hear your sad news. While many of the more common parrot ailments do present symptoms, unfortunately there are a great many that can cause sudden death as well. Judging from the age of your bird and your close relationship with it, I am certain that it was not a case of your not noticing a problem. I have worked with birds all my life, and can recall many such deaths in a wide variety of species. Necropsies (all dead animals were examined during my years at the Bronx Zoo) usually revealed heart or other organ failure in such cases, but all sorts of conditions, including cancers that remain asymptomatic and that are undetectable, can be involved. Often, birds so afflicted were getting on in years; while cockatiels can live into their 20’s, age may have played a role in the case of your bird. I’m sure your bird had a fine life and hope that fact is of some comfort to you.

Please let me know if you need any further information.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Thanks for your interest in our blog.

Unfortunately, cloacal prolapse is a serious matter, and can only be treated by a veterinarian. As an internal organ is now exposed to the air, the bird is indeed in pain. It will not be able to pass feces and will certainly develop an infection as well. The cloaca will also begin to dry and the tissue will become necrotic, which, along with the aforementioned complications, will lead to the bird’s death.

The longer the bird goes without medical attention, the less chance there will be for a successful recovery. Please see the article referenced for emergency measures, but please understand that, as stated there, these measures are only designed to keep the bird comfortable until it can be seen by a veterinarian.

Please let me know if you need a reference to an avian veterinarian in your area.

Good luck and please keep me posted,

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

I am doing some research on this issue and would appreciate any information you may be able to share.

Thank you in advance for your time.

Sincerely
Anita

Frank Indiviglio here. Thanks for your interest in our blog.

Unfortunately your parrot will need to see a veterinarian; the fact that it’s pushing and making noises is a sign that it is in distress. Its promising that the tissue looks health and has not dried out…but in its present condition it will be very susceptible to infection.

I suggest that you gently apply KY Jelly or another water soluble lubricant (not Vaseline) to that part of the tissue which is visible… but bear in mind that this is just to prevent drying and not a real treatment…for that you will need to see a veterinarian. Keep the cage very clean and the bird warm. You should arrange to have the bird seen as soon as possible, as complications are more likely the longer you wait.

Be sure to get your veterinarian’s opinion as to the probable cause of the prolapse…blood tests are usually helpful in this regard.

Good luck, please let me know if I can be of any further help.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.