Anyone with experience with chemo treatment (in the PA area)

[jenphilly]

It's been forever since we've posted and it's been a crazy journey the last 25 months. Max has had 2 surgeries and is literally now a fully neutered parrot... yep, we joke he's the world's only balless blue and gold macaw! Max started late January 2023 with fluid buildup and that was the beginning of our rather insane journey. We found the worlds most rockstar of an avian surgeon in Philly and thanks to her Max is still with us.... but unfortunately after his second surgery last February 17, 2024, we were thinking we were out of the woods, but this week, fluid was building up again and xrays show what looks like a cyst / mass.

In hindsight, I am looking back, saying we should have done chemo after the 2nd surgery, but at the time, it was not something that was put on the table., but again, hindsight is always 20/20. After the 2nd surgery, we had said we could not put him thru a 3rd surgery if this returns, but he's doing great, he is showing no indication of pain, discomfort or such, eating, pooping, being his usual blue brat self. At the appointment Wednesday, our initial reaction besides heartbreak was that we couldn't do surgery again, but 2 days now of him being totally himself and we are doubting ourselves. Our avian surgeon did say we had talked about doing an endoscopic peek to see how everything looked (and for the case study they are writing up on Max), so she's not against another procedure. But, I feel strongly that we should have done chemo to fight the cancer, not just surgery to remove the mass. Our 2nd avian vet offers cryosurgery at their location, and tho I'm not sure if they have used that for parrots and/or to what degree, I have done reading on that option too for Max. But, I've spent 2 days of reading and researching chemo in parrots, and I will be talking to our vet this evening too, I am curious to hear from people that have walked the chemo path with their personal birds. Even if we do something less invasive like endoscopic, I would love to hear what experience anyone has with chemo.

And another thing if anyone has experience, anyone ever had corticosteroid injections to reduce cyst mass in a parrot? It's fairly commonly done in people and mammals, but not finding much info about trying that with a parrot.

Thank you to anyone that can share your experience!

Random pics of Max including a few post surgical. We have pics of the previous tumors removed, but not sure how the group feels these days after graphic pics, so not posting those right now.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Wow! What an ordeal! Poor baby! I now nothing about Chemo for parrots- just humans. I would hate to see a parrot suffer chemo side effects. Does he really need to have chemo?

 

[jenphilly]

Wow! What an ordeal! Poor baby! I now nothing about Chemo for parrots- just humans. I would hate to see a parrot suffer chemo side effects. Does he really need to have chemo?

If you do reading, parrots tolerate chemo very well. We are over $45,000 invested in saving Max. Please believe me, nothing is done without thought, but this is the THIRD mass, the one thing that we haven't done is fighting the cancer. We would totally remiss to not consider that like most cancer patients, we need to fight the the disease not just remove the symptom.

 

[rheashard2]

I feel for you. I was aware birds got cancer. I am not aware that avian oncologists even existed. Your area has large zoos. Have you considered contacting them to find out if they can give advice. If not then can they point out sites for reading and gathering information?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

If you do reading, parrots tolerate chemo very well. We are over $45,000 invested in saving Max. Please believe me, nothing is done without thought, but this is the THIRD mass, the one thing that we haven't done is fighting the cancer. We would totally remiss to not consider that like most cancer patients, we need to fight the the disease not just remove the symptom.

Oh, I totally believe you! I've just never heard of parrots having cancer treated by chemo. Obviously they wouldn't do it if it didn't save their lives. I know people who had chemo and it was difficult to tolerate.

 

[jenphilly]

I feel for you. I was aware birds got cancer. I am not aware that avian oncologists even existed. Your area has large zoos. Have you considered contacting them to find out if they can give advice. If not then can they point out sites for reading and gathering information?

I appreciate your thoughts, but I have one of the best avian surgeons in our country heading up Max's care. I'm not kidding when I say he's had both testicles removed, he's truly an avian medical first. His case has already been widely shared and discussed, and his milestone medical history is being written up for veterinarian journals.

I've done a ton of research and I'm not looking to replace either of our avian specialists, I posted looking for people to share their stories.... while we already know the chemo agent we'd prefer (carboplatin) and we've done our homework on the stats and all that end of things, I am looking to connect with parrot homes that have been thru this and can share their journey. While we have lots of facts and info, just like any parent dealing with a cherished child fighting cancer, sharing with other families gives insights and considerations that no zoo or textbook can offer.

Again, appreciate your time and thoughts.

 

[Macawdamia Nut]

Poor Max! What a fighter! I have never heard of a parrot getting chemo treatment. I think this is pretty rare. Given how unusual it is, I would be amazed if someone on this forum has been through it with their bird. Maybe your vet can connect you with one of their clients who went through this. Fingers crossed for Max.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

!!!!!!!! Oh my!

I'm gonna keep an eye on this thread. Wishing Max the best of luck (and less heartache on your part!)

 

[kme3388]

I’m so sorry to hear about Max. I’ve never heard of chemo for parrots. I hope everything works out for him. He’s very beautiful. I adopted 2 parrots with broken wings, and was informed to leave it alone (unless it becomes infected, or really bad) as parrots don’t do good under anesthesia. Nextly instead of repairing the broken wing it sounded like they remove them. Maybe I misunderstood?! I don’t have an avian vet in my local area. We go through exotic vets who also see hamsters, lizards, and such. I’m interested in what you learn, and what experiences you’ve had.

 

[Macawdamia Nut]

I’m so sorry to hear about Max. I’ve never heard of chemo for parrots. I hope everything works out for him. He’s very beautiful. I adopted 2 parrots with broken wings, and was informed to leave it alone (unless it becomes infected, or really bad) as parrots don’t do good under anesthesia. Nextly instead of repairing the broken wing it sounded like they remove them. Maybe I misunderstood?! I don’t have an avian vet in my local area. We go through exotic vets who also see hamsters, lizards, and such. I’m interested in what you learn, and what experiences you’ve had.

I have had many conversations with my avian vet over the years about all things bird-related. I recall asking her about surgery done on a TV show, “Dr. K’s Exotic Animal ER” (If you haven’t watched that series on Nat Geo Wild channel, do so! It is highly entertaining and educational.). Dr. K did delicate surgery to repair a broken leg on a macaw. I asked my vet whether she would have done surgery like that and she said no. She explained that anesthesia is super risky for birds (you will see that on the TV show from time to time) and a slight limp from an imperfect cast and mending is better than the great possibility of an expired parrot. I am certain my vet would have given the same advice about broken wings that your vet gave, so consider this a 2nd opinion and put your mind at rest.

JenPhilly is in a completely different zone than 99.98% of parrot owners. Sounds like this is cutting edge avian veterinary medicine that very few avian vets practice and very few owners are able to afford. This is fascinating stuff and I hope she continues to post about Max’s groundbreaking medical treatment. We learn so much from others!

Get well, Max! We are all pulling for you!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I’m so sorry to hear about Max. I’ve never heard of chemo for parrots. I hope everything works out for him. He’s very beautiful. I adopted 2 parrots with broken wings, and was informed to leave it alone (unless it becomes infected, or really bad) as parrots don’t do good under anesthesia. Nextly instead of repairing the broken wing it sounded like they remove them. Maybe I misunderstood?! I don’t have an avian vet in my local area. We go through exotic vets who also see hamsters, lizards, and such. I’m Ccinterested in what you learn, and what experiences you’ve had.

My avian vet agreed that my budgie's broken wing was best let to heal without surgery so they taped it to his body for 6 weeks. I'm sure it had to do with risks of anesthesia, but even more with the technical difficulty of performing the surgery on something as tiny as a budgie wing. I feel so bad when I think about how painful Buddy's broken wing must have been!

For a large parrot, I would think they would try to surgically repair a broken wing the way they do when a large wild bird like an eagle. But anesthesia is always risky for any size bird and when said bird is someone's beloved parrot, it may not be worth the risk. Restoring flight is essential for wild birds but not for companion birds.