Advice on some post vet issues for Parker

[chris-md]

Parker is home but his behavior is so disconcerting. He seemed really unsteady on his perches last night so we kept him in his travel cage on my night stand so if he does fall off a perch its all of 2 inches.

This morning I've seen some really concerning things. The first thing is his poop. One of his meds says that it can create loose stools; if diarrhea develops go back in so they can adjust the dosage. I read that to my partner and he said "how do you tell the difference??" Well, turned out to be a prescient question because I woke up to this ocean under him. Any idea if this is merely loose stools or straight up diarrhea?? Seeing this I'm concerned about hydration, so all his food is being dunked in 50/50 diluted chicken broth. I've also cut that particular med (milk thistle and lactulose to help with a slightly elevated liver value that I think is not related to his current problems)



Second is a general confusion and lack of strength. He is very unsteady on his feet; he's not eating well and his strength is at least part of the issue. He cannot at this time bend down to pick up a piece of food places on his perch, let alone over and down into a bowl. We're feeding him piece by piece by hand, otherwise he wouldn't be able to eat. This leads to this video, which I took seconds after taking him out of his cage for the morning and putting him on his stand. He looks completely dazed and dizzy! Any thoughts on this? He didn't eat much at the vet so I'm wondering if being really hungry could cause this??

Like I said, he's not really eating much. I'm preparing mentally to have to make fruit smoothies and force feed him with a syringe if necessary.


[ame="https://youtu.be/ZJa0fhHj5KU"]Confused ekkie - YouTube[/ame]

 

[SailBoat]

Well, its been several hours and Parker should have had another movement since the earlier Thread starter. Any change?

There are several Med's that can cause what you are seeing, so without a name or list of names, there is no way anyone other than you or your Vet can guess what reaction is med based or the illness.

In the mean time, move Parker to a 'much' thicker perch and/or rap a perch with cloth towel (in a color or pattern he likes) to provide a better grip and comfort (stability).

 

[chris-md]

Thanks sailboat. He's on milk thistle/lactulose, acetylcysteine to bind toxins, and one other I can't remember that is supposed to coat the digestive tract, given 20 minutes before any meds

The poop's very green, but maybe not so watery. He's very listless, took him 5 minutes to decide to finish a single grain of rice he was just letting sit in his beak

 

[plumsmum2005]

Chris I am no expert on meds but it looks like he's having a trip. Would one of them have this kind of side effect? Keep him low perched or no perch and warm.

The Milk Thistle and Lactulose are there to stop toxins accumulating. Yes droppings are wet but do not see any slime relating to infection.

 

[Scott]

Parker has medically been through the "wringer" and may take some time to fully recuperate. He certainly appears confused. However I would seek the vet's advice to understand the expected path to recovery. Do your observations differ from the norm considering his medications?

I hope he begins to markedly improve during the long weekend!

 

[chris-md]

You guys are amazing!

I emailed the vet describing everything; surprisingly got a response but I think I'm inadvertently emailing her private email - need to avoid emailing in the future, don't want to overstep boundaries. In essence she's not too worried but said to watch it. The excess ocean underneath him is likely due to the fluids they were giving. The green may be from liver issues or from the milk thistle/lactulose.

She didn't remark on the lack of strength but he's showing some strength at the end of today. He started perching/resting on one foot for the first time since he got back. He's not been eating well but he gobbled down a number of corn kernels so I'm relieved he's not starving. Food first, nutrition second.

So we seem to be on s small upswing!

 

[DexMom]

I'm glad Parker seems to be perking up. My first thought was that he must be simply exhausted after all the excitement of being at the vet, all the toweling they must have done for blood tests and all the medication he's taking. I'd probably be just loopy, too!! Hopefully with some TLC from his Daddies and he'll be right as rain soon.

Also, I agree that I would feed him his favorites of everything at this point to get some food in him to build back up some strength.

 

[Aquila]

Nothing about his poop looks immediately concerning to me, I see solidly formed feces, some urates and the rest is water. He probably got sub-q fluids and his body is just passing the excess water now. My Sydney has some pretty watery poops on occasion because he's constantly waterboarding himself in his bowl, lol.

If they gave him something like diazepam or other sedative, that would explain the loopy behavior and should go away pretty quickly. But keep logging all of his symptoms and anything out of the ordinary, I'm sure he'll be better in a day or two!

Edit:

I looked up the medicine he's on, and it could be causing the elevated liver values.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetylcysteine

 

[Taprock]

I'm glad Parker is improving. I may be antropromorphizing, but I know with people we can manage to hold things together mentally through physical trauma but then we get home and it all comes pouring out. Hopefully now that's he's back home, with less stress he can eat and get his strenghth back. I think the suggestion of keeping a log is excellent.

 

[chris-md]

I'm glad Parker is improving. I may be antropromorphizing, but I know with people we can manage to hold things together mentally through physical trauma but then we get home and it all comes pouring out. Hopefully now that's he's back home, with less stress he can eat and get his strenghth back. I think the suggestion of keeping a log is excellent.

It certainly came pouring out of me. I realized last night I unknowingly hide behind the biology and logic of it all to avoid losing it, mentally. I've broken down a couple times since he's been home under the weight of not dealing with the emotions of all of this. Talking biology/anatomy automatically and subconsciously focuses my mind into a logical place. No room for emotions in science! I know Parker must feel a huge sense of relief.

Nothing about his poop looks immediately concerning to me, I see solidly formed feces, some urates and the rest is water. He probably got sub-q fluids and his body is just passing the excess water now. My Sydney has some pretty watery poops on occasion because he's constantly waterboarding himself in his bowl, lol.

If they gave him something like diazepam or other sedative, that would explain the loopy behavior and should go away pretty quickly. But keep logging all of his symptoms and anything out of the ordinary, I'm sure he'll be better in a day or two!

Edit:

I looked up the medicine he's on, and it could be causing the elevated liver values.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetylcysteine

It might, the acetylcysteine protects the liver, so it might work in concert to elevate certain readings. His final dose of it was this morning so it should reduce if that's the cause.

I'm glad Parker seems to be perking up. My first thought was that he must be simply exhausted after all the excitement of being at the vet, all the toweling they must have done for blood tests and all the medication he's taking. I'd probably be just loopy, too!! Hopefully with some TLC from his Daddies and he'll be right as rain soon.

Also, I agree that I would feed him his favorites of everything at this point to get some food in him to build back up some strength.

He's still having to be towered 4x per day unfortunately, poor guy. But I'm glad I figured it out quickly! If I need to clip his wings or do his nails I know I can now do it myself. It's not that bad. At least with a calm ekkie. Can't imagine what it'd be like for a very large hyacinth macaw!

 

[Terry57]

Chris, how is Parker feeling today? I so hope he is doing a bit better. Sending prayers and healing hugs to you both.

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

Hope Parker is continnueing to eat and build up his strength and that he is getting stronger by the hour...glad you emailed the vet...its good to be reassured by the explanation she gave even if it was a general one . Hopefully in a day or two Parker will be alot better