African Grey Isnt Right

[Anansi]

I know it can be very frustrating when one of our birds has a condition that is not easily or readily diagnosed...I lost a sun conure to an aneurysm, thought to be a genetic defect.....something that could not be tested for.....here are several links you might want to read through:

Seizures in African Grey Parrots

Seizures in Birds | VCA Animal Hospitals

January 2012 Newsletter

Birds and Seizures - National Parrot | Examiner.com

Winged Wisdom Pet Bird Magazine - Seizures In Pet Birds

Great links, Walt.

 

[coachcorriemac]

Well after a long long LONG day at work today of leaving him at home and not knowing how he was doing I finally got home 30 minutes ago. I get home and he did a few whistles, told me he wanted to go to bed, (he says Shoppa Bird Go To Bed) and ate and drank some water. He seemed much more awake then he had been the last 4 days. I ate dinner and while I was eating he was watching me.

I put him in his bird be shortly after. Our usual ritual is he gets put in the carrier travel type cage and climbs to the top and hangs upside down. He makes noises then I rub his head. Well for the last 4 days hes been way to out of it to do that. Way to weak. Well he did that tonight. Granted his noises sound a bit different but he climbed and hung upside down, did his noises and wanted me to scratch his head. I couldnt get him to stop lol. He kept wanting it. The last 4 days he had been hangin out on the bottom of the bird bed cage and just putting his head straight down for me to scratch. It was so sad. Made me cry every night.

IDK what had made him have a bit more energy tonight and be a bit "better" looking. Maybe he had all day to sleep since I wasnt home. Maybe he is faking it like birds do. Deep down I know its probably not possible but I sure hope or wish its him getting better. Heres to another night. Hope he gets through! Thanks for listening to me everyone. It does help and it helps when you all post positive thoughts as well.

 

[Scott]

Glad to hear Shoppa has improved!

If his liver is too small, perhaps the vet can guide you toward a diet and/or supplements to minimize stress to the organ.

 

[coachcorriemac]

I woke him up this morning and hes right back to not doing good at all. Can barely move or vocalize. Took one bite of food then fell asleep. So tired of this. Wished I had answers!

 

[Terry57]

I am sorry to hear he is not doing well again. I hope the vet is able to come up with some answers and also a plan for making him feel better.

 

[Dopey]

I woke him up this morning and hes right back to not doing good at all. Can barely move or vocalize. Took one bite of food then fell asleep. So tired of this. Wished I had answers!

I am so sorry.

 

[coachcorriemac]

I have noticed since Sunday his stomach is making loud bubbling noises. Kinda like when a human is gassy or hungry. I can literally hear it while watching Tv.

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

I have noticed since Sunday his stomach is making loud bubbling noises. Kinda like when a human is gassy or hungry. I can literally hear it while watching Tv.

That doesn't sound good.

Does he have bubbles in his poo? If so it sounds like it might be an intestinal infection??? I'm not a vet, but I would be sure to call your vet and ask what he thinks.

 

[coachcorriemac]

Got home from work just a bit ago. I had my wife bake up some Harrisons Bird Bread for him. It also has the d3 and calcium along with some other good stuff in it. Gave him a hunk of that and he loved it. Ate the whole thing. Hes refusing to go to bed tonight. Kinda funny. He looks sleepy on his perch but doesnt want me to take him to bed. Hes the boss! Still eating well and drinking water. Heres to another night.

 

[coachcorriemac]

Im so scared, I was watching the football game and he just feel back off of a perch, caught himself with one wing and held himself up. He was definitely straining hard like it was another seizure or electrical malfunction in his body. He let out a squeel. It lasted about a minute or 2 and it stopped. Then a mucus started drooling from him mouth. IDK what to do..... this is just painful

 

[Scott]

Im so scared, I was watching the football game and he just feel back off of a perch, caught himself with one wing and held himself up. He was definitely straining hard like it was another seizure or electrical malfunction in his body. He let out a squeel. It lasted about a minute or 2 and it stopped. Then a mucus started drooling from him mouth. IDK what to do..... this is just painful

My opinion is that Shoppa needs to be seen tonight by an avian vet - most likely an evening emergency clinic given the time of day regardless of where you live.

 

[coachcorriemac]

There isnt one. I have looked everywhere! The closest avian vet that will actually do something is 3 hours away and its the university. I drove 2 hours to an emergency last time and they sent me away. There is nothing I can do on that front. ITs pathetic that I live in the second or third largest city in Washington and there is no Avian Vets...

 

[Scott]

There isnt one. I have looked everywhere! The closest avian vet that will actually do something is 3 hours away and its the university. I drove 2 hours to an emergency last time and they sent me away. There is nothing I can do on that front. ITs pathetic that I live in the second or third largest city in Washington and there is no Avian Vets...

I'm sorry you don't have an evening clinic with an avian vet in your area.
Perhaps you can take Shoppa to the vet currently handling him tomorrow (Friday) morning? His condition would seem to warrant an "emergency" visit without waiting. The mucous discharge and gurgling noises could be important clues. Endoscopy (inserting a probe through the throat) may be of value, though it requires sedation, and you want to be reasonably assured he can tolerate the anesthesia. If none of the above is possible, hopefully the toxicity tests will shed some light.

 

[RavensGryf]

I agree with Scott. It must be frustrating to not have an avian vet around in a metro area. If you're working tomorrow, would your wife be available to drive Shoppa to the university as an emergency? Good luck.

 

[goalerjones]

There isnt one. I have looked everywhere! The closest avian vet that will actually do something is 3 hours away and its the university. I drove 2 hours to an emergency last time and they sent me away. There is nothing I can do on that front. ITs pathetic that I live in the second or third largest city in Washington and there is no Avian Vets...

Zoo? Aviary? Livestock vet who works with ducks/chickens? A breeder? Someone has to be closer.

 

[Anansi]

Did you get a chance to check this link I posted for you, earlier? It might prove useful depending on where you live: http://www.parrotforums.com/general-health-care/9841-vets-your-area.html

Your concern is not misplaced. I believe your grey is in urgent need of medical attention.

 

[Jayyj]

There isnt one. I have looked everywhere! The closest avian vet that will actually do something is 3 hours away and its the university. I drove 2 hours to an emergency last time and they sent me away. There is nothing I can do on that front. ITs pathetic that I live in the second or third largest city in Washington and there is no Avian Vets...

Zoo? Aviary? Livestock vet who works with ducks/chickens? A breeder? Someone has to be closer.

Try falconry centres and societies as well, the local one here even has an avian vet on site, but they should know someone.

 

[Anansi]

Just wondering how Shoppa is doing, now? Any results from the toxicity tests? Were you ever able to locate an avian vet?

 

[coachcorriemac]

Im so sorry for letting this thread go dormant and not getting back to you all. For the last month Shoppa has been at Washington State University. After taking him to vets locally and either getting turned down or charged hundreds of dollars and getting nowhere, I decided to make the 6 hour round trip drive to WSU and get him the RIGHT care since nobody in my city seems to know what they are doing.

He spent a month there at WSU getting special needs care and test after test after test. I still dont have a diagnosis but he finally came home the day before Thanksgiving. He seems great and im hoping it stays that way. They tested for everything in the book and didnt get a diangnosis locked down but the consensus is that he most likely had liver failure. He is on milk thistle supplement for the rest of his life. They think its most likely that but it could have been environmental factors as well.

Last night I went and bought all stainless cookware, threw out all my other stuff, and am still going through the house to make sure nothing else is causing it. I stopped using my Ceramic Heater as the website says not to use around birds and got an oil filled.

Anyways, for now he is doing great. I sure hope it stays that way and I appreciate all the help. I hope I never see him seizure as he did a few times before I finally went to WSU. He had a slim chance of making it they said but hes a fighter!

 

[thekarens]

Thank you for the update and I'm glad he's improved. That's great news!