African Grey with possible smoke inhalation

[heather80]

Hello everyone. I just joined these message boards because I am fostering an African Grey parrot. I volunteer for an organization called Red Paw Emergency Relief team based out of philly. We help peoples whose houses have burned down or suffered some other type of disaster and have pets. Tuesday morning there was a three alarm house fire near my residence and I ended up with a lovely African Grey who's owner is displaced by the fire. Now, i was told that the room he was in was not touched by smoke but the fire department was shocked he was ok. He does not smell of smoke at all. But knowing that parrots are very sensitive i've been keeping a close eye on him.
The first day he seemed fine. I noticed a few yawns which i know can be a sign of breathing problems so I kept a VERY close eye on him. His breathing was fine all day. This was Tuesday.
Weds still ok during the day. Around 6pm i noticed he was starting to have a slight wheeze/whistle. I immediately picked up the phone and left a message for my coordinator and started calling vets. I was advised to take him somewhere immediately. Thankfully one of the vets i've dealt with in the past used to work at a local zoo, has tons of bird experience and was open til 8. So after his protesting I was able to catch him and put him in a carrier.
He was great at the vet and was actually flirting with her. She could hear some fluid is in lungs which she believes is a result of some smoke inhalation. He was given a shot of benydryl to clear his lungs and a steriod shot. I am also giving him an antibiotic once a day and another type of med. Last night was day one of meds and he did pretty well.
This morning I noticed he is still wheezing. I was wondering if anyone had an idea of how long this would take to clear up? I am extremely worried that something will happen to him when I am at work. I am going to call the vet again later to see what she says. He appears to be eating and drinking. I can't tell if he's acting normal because he is not my pet but he's still making the "water drop" noise when I talk to him and letting me rub his beak and scratch his head.
My main question is how long does it take for the meds to take affect and for him to get better? I was told it was a very good thing I brought him in as soon as he was showing signs because waiting can be fatal. The vet assured me he should be fine. I may just be over thinking everything because he is not mine and I want to make sure he goes back to his owner healthy and happy.
And thank you. I know this was a long post.

 

[MickeysMom]

Welcome, and thank you for taking care of this guy!

I can't answer your question on how long the meds will take before you see an improvement, I would def call the vet and find out. I have been lucky to not have any problems so far with my guys/girls that required meds.

Also I am just outside of Philly and would love to get information on this organization...I could foster occasionally as needed.

 

[heather80]

Absolutely! www.redpawemergencyreliefteam.org we always need fosters for all kinds of animals. My boyfriend even fostered a 10 foor albino burmese python for us! Birds are a bit rare but it would be great to have someone else that has experience! Cats and dogs are always in need.

I already called the vet as soon as they opened to leave a message. She's always so busy so hopefully I hear back from her.

 

[MickeysMom]

I will check this out...and probably apply as a foster this weekend...Thanks!

 

[MonicaMc]

With smoke inhalation, I would think a nebulizer might be the way to go... although I am sure the vet knows best.

Birds don't help any when they can imitate the noise of their owners! Here's hoping that the grey is either fine or he gets better! And if he's sick, hopefully you'll see improvement within a few days time!

 

[Pedro]

Usually meds kick in between 24 to 48 hours before you notice any improvements.

It is also possible this bird has come down with a stress related illness due to the fire & change of environment as well.

Hope he will be fine.

 

[heather80]

Thanks. I had my dad stop over and check on him and he gave him a few peanuts and said he seemed fine. I was thinking it would not be an overnight fix. I've only administered the two medications once which was last night. He is on them for the next 14 days. I did leave a message for the vet but never heard back.
I am actually quite suprised that he has not become lethargic or anything due to the stress. I know these birds become very attatched to their owners and will pull their feathers out. He has not done this and I hope to keep it this way. Maybe because his owner is a female and I am a female it is a little easier. He does not seem to care for my dad. My neighbor came over and he was getting flirty and dancing with her.
If he does not seem better by Monday I will call again.

 

[DebsFlock]

I'd call the vet and ask what to expect and under what conditions to bring him back in. The vet can put him in an oxygen chamber if necessary. Most vets don't mind a client calling with a question now and then, especially if an animal has been recently treated.

 

[heather80]

I called but never heard back from her. He was fine last night and this morning. I'm still hearing a little stuffiness. I changed his paper and food and of course his water which I do throughout the day. The cage is a bit dirty. So when its my day off I am going to put him in the pet carrier, which he will be o so thrilled with and take the cage outside and scrub it down really well. There was a few little feathers in the bottom but I don't think he's actively plucking them out. I'm wondering if he should be molting soon since the seasons are changing.
He still won't talk to me. My neighbor comes to visit him and he dances with her. Of course I leave the room to clean his dishes and he starts saying "hello" and "wow" to her. I guess he doesn't like me as much since I am the mean "medicine lady". I am actually surprised he is as friendly as he is with me. Comes over for a head scratching. Tonight I will give him his meds and some grapes a little bit after as a treat. I also have some carrots to try. His owner said she usually gives him canned veggies that she heats for a few seconds and he loves those. The vet said raw was fine. I have some canalope i was going to see if he liked too. I read not to many fruits or he won't eat his veggies.
So far so good! He really is a doll.

 

[DebsFlock]

Sometimes the vet doesn't get the message or gets swamped and forgets to call back. If you have concern, I'd be persistent, but it sounds as if he's slowly improving rather than getting worse, so you may be just fine.

He sounds like a great bird, actually.

I'd beware the canned veggies unless they are unsalted. Some fruit is OK. My GCC eats pretty much all the fresh food I give him, fruit and veggie alike. My Cape picks out any grapes that are in there and leave it at that no matter what I do!

 

[heather80]

yeah. Hes a great little guy. I just gave him his third day of the meds and he is actually breathing a little worse. I'm wondering if its because the one med is gooey and its not going down well. I put him to bed. going to check on him in a few hrs and see how he is. I figured less action and rest would be better. He's starting to pluck his feathers some. I'm finding small feathers in the cage. I had a feeling this would start. He is under stress. He was still chirping and whistling and protested when i left so I'm hoping this is a good sign.

 

[MonicaMc]

If you see bare spots or patches of skin, or ruffled looking feathers (down) instead of regular body feathers, then you need to worry. If you see feathers with blood on the tips, you need to worry.

If you don't see that, its either molting or beginning stages of plucking. I wouldn't be too concerned just yet unless you can see him plucking out feathers/hear him do it.


I don't recommend feeding canned anything... fresh is best! Or steamed for harder veggies, but then some birds like their's crunchy! You might want to stop feeding peanuts, at least during the medication time... or change to a different nut (well, peanuts are legumes, not actually nuts).

 

[heather80]

it looks like little down feathers. I was trying to get him to take a bath cause i was thinking maybe he's itchy. He won't go near the water. he's still not breathing how I want him to either. The vet is back at 0800 tomorrow. I will stay up when i get home around seven and keep calling til i get through and see if i can take him back. Hoping he is ok tonight. I was worried all night last night and checked in on him once in a while until i went to bed. He woke me up at 0700 talking and whistling I am trying to tell myself his still talking and whistling is a good sign.
Fingers crossed! His wings are not clipped either. I kind of want to get that done when I take him back so I can let him sit on his cage but I don't know how the owner will feel about that.

 

[MonicaMc]

I wouldn't get his wings clipped unless the owner gives you permission to do so. I have heard of some african greys plucking because they had clipped wings and either the end of the clipped feathers bothered them, or the fact that their feathers ended so abruptly that there was nothing left to preen. He may be just fine, but his owner may still be against the idea.

Can you put him in a room with a closed door and open up his cage door to see if he'd be willing to come out and hang out on his cage?


I hope you are able to get through to the vet in the morning and that he's ok!

 

[Pedro]

Heather did he cough & splutter when you gave him his meds it is possible he has inhaled some into his lungs. If that is possible he needs urgent veterinary help.

I agree don't clip without the owners permission.

Do you think you should be bathing him if his breathing is compromised.?

I am sending you all my prayers hoping he is ok.

 

[heather80]

i decided to call off work and take him to the emergency vet 45 min away. we are leaving now. i'll update. gonna have him put in the oxygen tank til vet gets there at 8

 

[heather80]

Took him to the Er vet last night. They said they can still hear a crackle in one of his lungs but his air pockets (I think that's what he said) and other lung sound great. For all he has been through he is in pretty good shape.
He was still wheezing a bit when I left for work tonight. Not sure if it was because I gave him his medicine. He now is on two more meds for the next five days too.
Just in case I made him an appt in the morning for the local vet that saw him last week. She should be able to tell if he's getting better or worse.
Still keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best.

 

[MonicaMc]

Here's hoping everything turns out fine! Let us know how he does!

 

[heather80]

so far so good. Vet says it can take a little til he's 100 percent but his lungs sound better. He's eating and being social. He is a very sweet guy. He nips at me but it is not very hard. I feel very lucky that he is as friendly as he is. I gave him a shower at the vets recommendation and he loved it! Just sat on my arm under the water. I am going to continue this once a week so he stays nice and clean.

 

[DebsFlock]

I'm so glad he's doing well!