African gray may have had a stroke.

[Sherryo]

Hi to everyone. I'm a new member and I'm hoping to get some feedback on my African gray that had a stroke. I've taken him to a board certified avian vet where he blood work and an MRI. I have no idea how old he is but I've owned him for almost 40 years. My intent was to buy a baby African Gray but when i saw Mr. Smith sitting in his cage in the middle of a pet shop shaking uncontrolably I felt so badly for him I bought him. It took many years for him to trust me. As a matter of fact I was just about ready to give up on him when one day he came towards me instead of backing away. He's only spoken one word in all the years I've had him and that is a deep sounding hello. I would say he got that from whoever owned him before. Now this stroke has left him unable to walk. If he couldn't use his beak to help him get around his cage he would be helpless. I have made his cage as handicapped assessable as I could. I even raised the floor in his cage up just under his perches in case he should fall... It takes him awhile to get his little feet to unfold so he's able to grab onto a perch while hanging on with his beak. I feel so helpless watching him. He is given 3 different kinds of medication a day to help prevent any future strokes. He's alert, likes peanuts more then anything and is picky about everything else he eats. I guess you could say he likes his junk food over veggies and fruit. I offer him everything I think he will eat. Most veggies are tossed out of his cage. He will eat fruit cocktail but only because it's sweet. He loves casseroles. He has no quality of life sitting there in his cage but now that I'm older I don't think any bird does compared to being free. I've thought of putting him down but can't bring myself to do it. I've owned him for almost 40 years and I have no idea how old he was when I bought him. He may have been a young adult. Any suggestions on how I should proceed with Mr. Smith. I love him and feel so badly for him but am willing to do whatever it takes to make him comfortable and happy.

Sherryo

 

[antoinette]

So sorry to hear about your poor baby,
I am not familiar with strokes in birds, perhaps other members will be able to advise you.
I did surf the net, found a link pertaining to another 40 yr old who had a suspected stroke.

My 40 year-old African Grey parrot fell seems to have had a - JustAnswer

In my prayers and thoughts

 

[sonja]

I am so sorry Mr. Smith is not well. And, sorry for you for having to watch your little guy go through this.

I think one phrase in your post is very telling: He has no quality of life sitting there.

I would talk to your vet about the chances of any hope for improvement, as well as his opinion on euthanasia. I know it is hard to think about, but sometimes it is a great gift we can give to our pets who are suffering.

You are in my thoughts.

 

[henpecked]

I'm sorry to hear of Mr Smith's troubles. I've had my YN for about the same length of time and can relate to your situation, although my "Jake" appears to be in good health.(Thank the Lord). Only you know what is best, and we'll support you. Do you have pictures of his cage and set up? please post and tell us more.

 

[4theBirds]

I'm so sorry to hear about Mr. Smith. It must be heart wrenching. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Mr. Smith. Remember he will meet you on the Rainbow Bridge one of these days...Healthy and Happy.

 

[Total_Dejavu]

So sorry to hear about Mr Smith. I would be beside myself, but would feel the same as you. It would be hard to bring myself to put him down. It's a hard, hard decision to make. He's had a lot of love in a very long lifetime

I'm not sure about setting up a cage that's handicapped accessible, but I have a friend who rescued a Grey without toes who she had many years. I'll talk to her and see if I can get some ideas for you. Take care and {{HUGS}} to you.

 

[Remy]

I'm sorry for what you and Mr. Smith are going through. Thank you for rescuing him, and giving him a much better life that he would have otherwise had.

I've heard that acupuncture is good for stroke victims in humans, but I don't know if you could find a Chinese doctor that works on birds, or if Mr. Smith would go for it.

It's such a hard decision to put a loved animal down. My boyfriend's dog has really bad arthritis and has trouble walking now (she falls a lot because her legs are unsteady), and I think she has canine dementia. It's so hard to know what the right choice is, but I am sure you will do the right thing. Does he seem happy most of the time, even if he's "just sitting there", or does he seem unhappy in general?

 

[wolf0994]

I am so very sorry to hear of your story, thoughts and prayers are with you. I too commend you for taking such good care of him for 40 years. Thats an amazing life span. I rather agree with one of the above posters in that you said his quality of life is not there. I personally would explore what options you can as far as cage setup and improvement chances, and then if that will NOT improve his quality of life then be left with a difficult choice. Best wishes to you in this very hard time.

 

[antoinette]

How is Mr Smith and yourself doing?
You are constantly in my thoughts and prayers