30yo showing new symptoms

[pir8don]

OurBird is now 30 years old and sustained a traumatic injury to his foot from a shoulder fall about 5 weeks ago. We treated him with arnica cream and he had been recovering well. In the last week or more he is closing his right eye whenever he is able. We have washed out his eye with a solution from a syringe and he seems to improve for a short while following. We have no avarian vets where we live. His behavior has otherwise returned to normal but this right eye closing has never occurred with such frequency. Any help would be most appreciated.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I am so sorry. I don't know what to suggest.

If you seek professional help...

Certified Avian Vets

Find an ABVP Specialist - American Board of Veterinary Practitioners

Find a Specialist ABVP Diplomates have proven knowledge and expertise above and beyond what is required to practice veterinary medicine. Beyond that, they have earned the privilege to specialize in the treatment of one or more categories of animals. Diplomates are in 49 of the 50 US states...

abvp.com

If none are near you...
Avian Veterinarians

http://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803

In my opinion, any of the vets listed here should be better than a regular vet.
International contacts, too.
If none are near you, maybe you could call and ask for a recommendation for somebody in your area.
And... sometimes, distant vets will offer brief thoughts or advice...
Or... sometimes I find a place to start just by Googling "avian veterinarian near ((your location))"
Or maybe a local breeder might help... again, maybe Google?

Another thread on vets from Terry57...

Thread 'Avian Vet Resources'

Feb 24, 2022

After a suggestion by a member, @Abu Colo, the Mod Team decided to create a list of veterinarians around the world who see birds. This was something we had discussed a few years ago, but the task seemed so large that we didn't get very far. However, the need is there and we decided that the time was right to get it done.
Not all the vets listed are CAVs, but all treat birds from what we could determine.
To find out if a vet is a CAV, you can search the websites of the ones in your area.
We started working...​

• Terry57
• Replies: 59
• Forum: General Health Care

• 
• 
• 

 

[pir8don]

.

I am so sorry. I don't know what to suggest.

If you seek professional help...

Certified Avian Vets

Find an ABVP Specialist - American Board of Veterinary Practitioners

Find a Specialist ABVP Diplomates have proven knowledge and expertise above and beyond what is required to practice veterinary medicine. Beyond that, they have earned the privilege to specialize in the treatment of one or more categories of animals. Diplomates are in 49 of the 50 US states...

abvp.com

If none are near you...
Avian Veterinarians

http://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803

In my opinion, any of the vets listed here should be better than a regular vet.
International contacts, too.
If none are near you, maybe you could call and ask for a recommendation for somebody in your area.
And... sometimes, distant vets will offer brief thoughts or advice...
Or... sometimes I find a place to start just by Googling "avian veterinarian near ((your location))"
Or maybe a local breeder might help... again, maybe Google?

Another thread on vets from Terry57...

Thread 'Avian Vet Resources'

Feb 24, 2022

After a suggestion by a member, @Abu Colo, the Mod Team decided to create a list of veterinarians around the world who see birds. This was something we had discussed a few years ago, but the task seemed so large that we didn't get very far. However, the need is there and we decided that the time was right to get it done.
Not all the vets listed are CAVs, but all treat birds from what we could determine.
To find out if a vet is a CAV, you can search the websites of the ones in your area.
We started working...​

• Terry57
• Replies: 59
• Forum: General Health Care

• 
• 
• 

Thanks for you quick reply. We are in Nelson New Zealand. A few years back, when OB (OurBird) had Aspergillosis our local vets were unable to diagnose and users on this forum were successful. We are suspicious that he is having difficulty sustaining his usual energy levels and this eye behavior is a symptom. He is left dominant so closing his right eye for rest makes sense. He is also more inclined to rest stretched full rather than squatting which had become more common.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

It's amazing how long his tail is! You would think an extra long tail like that would get in the way or caught on things when he turns around. I suppose he needs a very big cage so he doesn't mess up his tail on the bars. Do you save the feathers when he molts?

 

[pir8don]

It's amazing how long his tail is! You would think an extra long tail like that would get in the way or caught on things when he turns around. I suppose he needs a very big cage so he doesn't mess up his tail on the bars. Do you save the feathers when he molts?

Yes we have a good stock of feathers. He is only in a cage( with the door open and in our bedroom) for sleep. Goes everywhere we do mostly on my shoulder since he came from the breeder 30 yrs ago. His tail can bend a bit without damage. He spends all his time in our company over the past 5 years or so. Only caged for emergencies and that only hours. Over bonded is the term I think

 

[DonnaBudgie]

It's wonderful how you have lived side by side with him and given him such as great life.

 

[pir8don]

Today we attended a local vet who has occasional access to an avian vet employed by government agencies and others who house wild birds. Ourbird has been prescribed 0.1 ml Vibravet paste daily until we see our avian vet on the 5th of April. First dose in 3 hrs before his evening meal.

 

[pir8don]

I have now been able to see OB's eye in full sunlight while not closed and he appears to have a lighter area in his eye that is of irregular shape. Reading online makes uveitis look likely especially in light of his recent trauma. We are still over a week away from our appointment with an avian vet. His medication with Vibravet seems to be appropriate and we are resuming eye drops which may offer some relief. Any suggestions for treatment or pain relief would be most welcome.

 

[pir8don]

Sorry to report that OB passed away while being examined by the vet.

 

[LaManuka]

Sorry to report that OB passed away while being examined by the vet.

I'm so sorry for your loss, @pir8don

 

[DonnaBudgie]

How sad! Did the vet say what was wrong with him?

 

[pir8don]

How sad! Did the vet say what was wrong with him?

She really didn't progress far in her examination when he apparently went into shock and could not be revived. She noted he seemed less alert than expected prior to examination. He loved to participate in the flock ritual of tooth cleaning and may have consumed some toothpaste. Xylitol is known as poisonous to dogs and apparently parrots too. Because he had a history of dosing with sporanox for Aspergillosis that may also have been a factor. It is know to produce neurotoxic symptoms and he had those too. So no definitive cause but a few things to watch.

 

[pir8don]

I'm so sorry for your loss, @pir8don

Yes OB will forever be in our hearts too. So full of love. I feel for those who have lost a beloved. Our lives were so centered around him and a huge cavity will remain for the rest of our lives.

 

[LaManuka]

Yes OB will forever be in our hearts too. So full of love. I feel for those who have lost a beloved. Our lives were so centered around him and a huge cavity will remain for the rest of our lives.

OB was lucky to have been so loved by you, every little birdy deserves to be cherished that way. Perhaps one day you'll be ready to give another feathered soul a loving home

 

[DonnaBudgie]

She really didn't progress far in her examination when he apparently went into shock and could not be revived. She noted he seemed less alert than expected prior to examination. He loved to participate in the flock ritual of tooth cleaning and may have consumed some toothpaste. Xylitol is known as poisonous to dogs and apparently parrots too. Because he had a history of dosing with sporanox for Aspergillosis that may also have been a factor. It is know to produce neurotoxic symptoms and he had those too. So no definitive cause but a few things to watch.

I'm so sorry. I had a beloved budgie die in someone's hands during a beak trim so I know how awful it is when something like that happens. Perhaps he was sicker and weaker than anyone knew. OB had a long wonderful life is your care but he will be sorely missed I'm sure and can't simply be replaced.

 

[TiredOldMan]

I'm very sorry for your loss

 

[pir8don]

At OB's appointment our avian vet revealed that once a parrot has Aspergillosis a single spore remaining can seed the next bout. This marks the ferocity of this disease. In a cage in a dry comfortable environment, Aspergillosis is less likely but in an aviary or wild environment prospects increase. With OB on my shoulder for 30 years he was exposed to a huge variety of weathers and temperatures. We tramped in bush and mountains frequently on long trips where we sometimes encountered very cold and wet conditions. I had made a tiny portable perspex cage for him that protected him a bit and covered his cage with a down coat at night. In retrospect that he developed Aspergillosis is not too surprising as he aged and once was enough for the disease to be triggered almost annually by any wet and cold. Every bout was life threatening both as symptoms of breathing difficulties first appeared and usually about a month after treatment when the dead fungus had to evacuated from his air sacks. Auckland zoo keepers slept with their parrots while recovering but still lost some of their larger native parrots to Aspergillosis. OB shared an exceptional life with us but our ignorance of Aspergillosis must have been a contributing factor in his early death now. We believe he loved his life with us and we with him. I should have intervened at his first loud sounds of distress in the hands of the vet which lead to rythmic beak opening and closing that marked his dscent into shock. I hope others can learn from our experiences.

 

[kme3388]

I’m sorry to hear about OB passing away. This thread was sad to read through. My heart breaks for you. It’s hard to find vets for parrots. If you do find an avian vet it can take weeks or months to get in. At that point sometimes it’s too late as things have progressed. With parrots being the 3rd most popular pet you’d think there would be more avian vets. That is not that case where I live anyway.

 

[rheashard2]

I sympathize with your loss. You have my prayers.

 

[wrench13]

How did I not see this thread! I am very sorry for OB's passing, I and many on here know what you are going thru.