Bixby Update

[JerseyWendy]

I am so sorry it took me so long to realize Bixby still wasn't 100%. WOW, Stephen, does Doc Doolen have any clue and/or ideas what type of 'nasty' he had??

Praying that he gets a clean bill of health today, and that this will finally be a thing of the past.

 

[getwozzy]

Crossing my fingers for a clean bill of health for Sir Bixby today! Let us know how it goes...

 

[labell]

I am just seeing this I sure hope Bixby is finally on the road to healthy again. Please let us know.

 

[Terry57]

Any news yet about Bixby? Hoping all goes well today

 

[Anansi]

Thanks, everyone! Your support means a lot to us. Bixby's appointment is at 3:30, though I suspect that they'll simply be doing another blood test today. Probably a few infuriating days before we have any results. Smh.

Wendy, the doc hasn't really gotten specific in terms of what Bixby might have been fighting. He's just been saying that Bixby might have been resistant to the 1st antibiotic for some reason. But they've basically been going by his elevated WBC count to determine whether he needs more antibiotics.

Apparently, all of his other values look good. His diet is good. His feathering, weight and musculature are all within healthy parameters. (Though I'd still like to see a bit more weight gain.) So hopefully today's blood test will show normal WBC levels.

 

[Anansi]

Sigh...

Quick history.

Target white blood cell count is around 11. Initial count was in the mid 50's. Then, after a 2nd 2 week round with that antibiotic, it was in the low to mid 40's.

At that point the doctor prescribed a new antibiotic, reasoning that Bixby might be resistant to that particular antibiotic. That was a two week course.

Last Monday the doc performed another blood test on Bixby. And I called in for his test results, today.

Much improved, with his count down to 18, but still elevated. I have to pick up a 3 week course for Bixby this evening, and then take him for yet another blood test 4 weeks from now.

WTH?!? Bixby is visibly sick and tired of taking medication. Poor guy. On one hand, a count of 18 is a vast improvement. But he's been sick for such an extended period at this point. He's active and happy, at least, but I fear for any ill effects from such a long-term battle with illness. You know?

Ah. Okay. Semi-rant over. Just needed to vent a bit.

 

[Dopey]

I am so sorry. I hope things quickly improve greatly.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I just don't understand this at all, Stephen. I am so sorry his WBC is still not satisfactory. WOW, that will be one very long period that poor Bixby is on antibiotics. HUGGLES, my Rock, LOTS of them, and scritches for Mister Bixby, please.

 

[Allee]

Wow Stephen, I was hoping for a 100% recovery by now and no more meds. I know how frustrating it is not to get a clear diagnosis and treatment plan. I'm sorry poor Bixby is still going through this. Big Hug for you and extra skritches for Sir Bixby. I'm waiting to hear excellent news as a result of today's test.

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

Oh man! I just saw this Stephen! I am so hoping that you hear good news soon! Please keep us posted. Hugs to you and Bixby!

 

[Birdman666]

Well, at least it's trending in the right direction now. Mid 50's is pretty high, so this thing really hit him hard...

 

[labell]

Wow poor Bixby! I am concerned with the good gut flora being destroyed from such a lengthy time of taking antibiotics as well as the count still being too high!

 

[RavensGryf]

Poor Bixby , and you also! Man, that is a long time. I couldn't imagine that with a bird who didn't like to be handled! At least Bixby has been a good boy about it, but enough is enough I understand! Although 18 is still elevated, it is almost right, and has come such a long way. That says you're on the right track. Thanks for the latest update Stephen... Hang in there Bixby!

 

[Betrisher]

Poor Bixby and poor Stephen! How awful to have this nasty health threat hanging over you! I don't know why I'm asking this, but has Bixby been x-rayed to check that he hasn't ingested something that might be causing his ongoing infection? I know it sounds weird, but weirder things have happened...

Anyway, warmest hugs and supportive squawks from me, Dommie and the Beaks. We hope our friend, Bixby, is feeling on top of the world before too much longer! XXXX

 

[Terry57]

Oh Stephen, I was so hoping for good news. I am praying that this round of meds fixes the problem once and for all. Sending hugs to you and many scritches to Bixby.

 

[Anansi]

I am so sorry. I hope things quickly improve greatly.

Thank you, Mary Lynn! I'm very much hoping the same, myself.

I just don't understand this at all, Stephen. I am so sorry his WBC is still not satisfactory. WOW, that will be one very long period that poor Bixby is on antibiotics. HUGGLES, my Rock, LOTS of them, and scritches for Mister Bixby, please.

I don't get it either, Wendy love.at least this antibiotic is having a more significant effect, but I'm VERY worried about any long-term effects that this prolonged sickness, not to mention the atypical length of his treatment period, may be causing in his developing body. Bixby is only a year and 5 months, remember. But I'm hoping for the best.

And thank you, Wendy! Huggles and scritches both received! [emoji6]

Wow Stephen, I was hoping for a 100% recovery by now and no more meds. I know how frustrating it is not to get a clear diagnosis and treatment plan. I'm sorry poor Bixby is still going through this. Big Hug for you and extra skritches for Sir Bixby. I'm waiting to hear excellent news as a result of today's test.

Ah, Huckleberry. You and I both were hoping for that 100% recovery. It's definitely frustrating, but I'm just praying this round will be the very last.

Thank you for the hug and extra scritches both! But as for the test, I think you misunderstood. The next test will be in 3-4 weeks. Let's hope that one yields better results.

 

[Anansi]

Oh man! I just saw this Stephen! I am so hoping that you hear good news soon! Please keep us posted. Hugs to you and Bixby!

Thank you, Melissa! I'll definitely be keeping you all posted, and both Bixby and I very much appreciate the hugs!

 

[Anansi]

Well, at least it's trending in the right direction now. Mid 50's is pretty high, so this thing really hit him hard...

That definitely is the bright side in all of this, Mark. If his numbers weren't getting better the situation would feel far more dire than it does.

And yes, this thing must be one heck of a bug to be giving him so tough a fight. But my Bixby is strong. He'll get past it.

Wow poor Bixby! I am concerned with the good gut flora being destroyed from such a lengthy time of taking antibiotics as well as the count still being too high!

I was concerned about this as well, Laura. To the point of annoying the vet, actually. But he assured me that the antibiotics he'd given Bixby wouldn't adversely affect any "good bacteria".

I'm hoping I won't have to test that beyond the next 3 weeks, though.

Poor Bixby , and you also! Man, that is a long time. I couldn't imagine that with a bird who didn't like to be handled! At least Bixby has been a good boy about it, but enough is enough I understand! Although 18 is still elevated, it is almost right, and has come such a long way. That says you're on the right track. Thanks for the latest update Stephen... Hang in there Bixby!

Thanks, Julie.

Yes, this would definitely be a whole lot more difficult if Bixby had an issue with being handled. He's tired of the medication, but he never takes it out on either of us. Thankfully.

And he is indeed on the right track, Julie. I'm just hoping this particular train ride isn't for much longer.

 

[Allee]

Ah, Huckleberry. You and I both were hoping for that 100% recovery. It's definitely frustrating, but I'm just praying this round will be the very last.

Thank you for the hug and extra scritches both! But as for the test, I think you misunderstood. The next test will be in 3-4 weeks. Let's hope that one yields better results.

You're right, Stephen, I was confused. I understand now, I hope the next test yields far better results. More hugs and prayers for sweet Bixby.

 

[getwozzy]

I'm sorry his recent test results weren't the all-clear that we all had hoped for hopefully this will be the last round he'll have to endure- if the last round got his count down to 18, I don't see why this next round won't wipe out the infection completely.

Bixby is such a trooper- hang in there....he'll be right as rain in no time