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Hi there all

just thought I'd send you a quick update on my boy. Well, on Thursday the vet had to amputate a part of his beak, as it had died. On friday I was so worried, cause he hadn't really eaten in a week. So, back to the vet for tube feeding. While there, another part of his beak fell off by itself. They tubed him and kept him there. on Saturday I got the great news that Pesto has started eating some egg. I fetched him on Saturday. Still giving him about 2ml of hand-rearing formula evry day, but he is eating egg. I make this mix of egg, boiled brown rice (no salt) and special parrot soft food. Essentially he needs to get onto the soft food, but for now I am just glad that he is eating something! Giving him food with a syringe is really stressful for both of us. I can't wait for him to go fully on to his special food. We will have to wait a month or 2 to see if his beak is going to grow out again. If it does, it can take up to 6 months. My vet has been amazing and very understanding.

I am so glad to hear he is eating!! I know how stressful the handfeeding is - I don't envy you. When I first read your post I was so worried I didn't know what to say, plus dealing with Stella and her issues.

My prayers are with you and Pesto - for his beak to grow in and be the most beautiful beak we ever see!

Jo

Thanks Jo! It has been a tought 2 weeks. I think I am going to need about a year to catch-up on my sleep. But none the less, it has been 2 weeks that I did not think that I would have and I am very grateful for every minute of every day. Not to mention the kisses and whistles and little words that are slowly making their way back into my life. I'll be honest, at one stage I was ready to give up. I work in an animal environment and I've seen some sad things. At one stage Pesto was one of them. You can see on the little photo that his beak looks like a little stump. My mom says that he looks like an English bulldog with his flat beak. Fortunately we LOVE bulldogs and have had 2 in the last 20 years. My boy is unique and I would love him whether his beak grows back or not!

.......but what a beautiful bird he is!!!!

Thank you for keeping us updated. I am amazed who strong this little bird is despite this horrible trauma he's been through.
I've seen a beak-less bourke parakeet and my heart broke. He seemed to carry on despite his handicap.Thank God he is starting to eat. Maybe harrison's muffins? (harrison's makes a muffin mix!)
Keep us updated...

I'm so glad that he is doing better and eating.. Thats great news. I am also glad to hear that his beak will grow back, I was wondering that myself.

Question: where did you find broth that pesto can have that contains no salt? I have always wanted a flavored broth to make Rosie's brown rice in..

Hi there

Any broth I use, I make myself. veggies mostly. But the rice I just cook without adding any salt. Same goes for the pasta that he is having today. Pesto is a BIG salt fan, so it would be a lot easier getting him to eat something if it tasted like salt, but isn't. That on the other hand will again mean that it is chemical based and I don;t want that either!! You can't win
Today is the first day that I haven't given Pesto any hand-feeding in the morning. I need to be very strong about this, becuase if I keep feeding him, he will never eat the food that he is supposed to eat. From next week I am going to lessen the amount of egg in his food too. Hopefully, he gets the message and will eat the other stuff. This is going to be very difficult.

I know it's a tough time right now for you and Pesto.......but with how strong he seems to be, and all of your love and help, I think you all will get through this ok! looks like you're doing a great job with him! He is a real cutie! Best wishes to you both!

Is Pesto eating on his own at all? If not you gotta still hand feed him. He's been through some serious trauma. the main thing is to make sure he is getting food in him and he is alert. Poor little guy

Pesto is eating all by himself. He has regained just about all the weight that he lost in the time that he did not eat. he is doing very well. He is eating his pasta, egg, brown rice and his special soft food. My bou is doing very well. Really. I am amazed at how well, actually. Thank you so much for all your wishes and messages and prayers and positive thoughts. We really, really appreciate it. I will continue to keep you up to date on how he is doing. For now, i am just happy that he is eating. He still sleeps a lot, but I can understand that. He is talking again and loving his mirror and I get the sweetest kisses ever.
Thank you all!

That is good news.I am so glad to hear that he is doing OK. One day at a time