Bixby Update

[Anansi]

My partner has finches. I'm pretty sure she had a zillion. I don't pay much attention to them.

A zillion? That puts her almost in Terry's league! Almost...

 

[thekarens]

My partner has finches. I'm pretty sure she had a zillion. I don't pay much attention to them.

A zillion? That puts her almost in Terry's league! Almost...

Nah, here we have 3 or 4 flights. I'm pretty sure Terry has a million cages.

 

[Anansi]

Nah, here are in 3 or 4 flights. I'm pretty sure Terry had a million cages.

And that's just the first floor! [emoji6]

 

[Terry57]

LOL! Y'all are killing me!

I am cracking up thinking about a fixtures forum as well...trying to imagine what the hot topics could be.

Stephen, I do remember that call about Bixby's wet look!
As you would say, my friend, this is all high comedy

 

[Anansi]

Hey, all! Just thought I'd give another update on Bixby.

Since the last update, he'd finished his latest round of antibiotics. For maybe three blessed days, Bixby seemed nearly himself again. Then things went south. Again. He now has significant weakness in his left leg and has become quite lethargic, catching frequent naps during the day.

My heart dropped when the vet asked me to authorize a PDD test, to rule out that terrible disease. I agreed, of course, and thank God it came back negative!

So the vet has explained that a situation like this happens from time to time, where a particularly stubborn infection meets up with an immune system that is not quite yet where it should be. (Due possibly to genetics. This rang true since I've always noted that Bixby was noticeably smaller and slower to develop than Sir Chomps, his pretty boy hatchmate.)

So while Bixby doesn't have one of the "Big Bads", disease-wise, his situation is still grave. But the vet said that birds who would succumb to this typically would have by now, and that he's betting on Bixby pulling through.

So now Sir Bix is on yet another medicine regimen. Two types this time. And I'm beefing up his high energy foods as well. He's fighting hard, so I want him to have all of the resources he'll need. Good news is that he's slowly regaining his weight (He was 388 last night before dinner) and he's still as loving and determined as ever.

Here's a pic of my poor boy fast asleep on my hand:

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[Allee]

Aww Stephen, I'm so sorry Sir Bixby is still battling this persistent infection. I'm glad his tests for the "big bad" diseases came back negative.

He looks so sweet sleeping on your hand. My heart's breaking for both of you, he's been such a little trouper through this whole ordeal and I know you and his vet are doing everything possible to help him recover. The vet's words and predictions for Bixby's recovery sound very promising and his recent weight gain is also good reason to look forward to a full recovery. I can only think the new medications, his special diet and TLC from his loving parronts will get him through this. Sending you both big hugs and positive thoughts, My Friend.

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

Aww, poor Bixby has had such a long haul. He'll pull through, he's getting the best care and has such a devoted parront!

 

[labell]

I am so sorry your family and Bixby are going through this. You are all in my thoughts for a fast recovery. It is curious that his brother is not as compromised as he seems to be. He is over a year right? He still has so much of the baby streaking on his beak. I don't know as I have ever seen so much of it left on a bird Bixby's age.

 

[Dinosrawr]

Poor Bixby! I'm sorry that it's been a rough bout for your family. I'm also hoping for a speedy recovery too. And that picture is just so sweet, he obviously loves and trusts you so much!

 

[Terry57]

Stephen, I am so glad to hear that the PDD test came negative. Poor baby, he looks like he feels so bad. I pray that this round actually helps, and that he does great after this...you both deserve it after all you have been through

 

[RavensGryf]

Stephen, it breaks my heart to hear that Bixby is still struggling with such a tenacious infection.
I am really praying for you that this is just a bump in the road early in Bixby's life, and that he has a long and healthy life ahead once he recovers.

Also, I thought Allee's post was word for word perfect my friend...

 

[thekarens]

Well hell
Be strong Bix! We know you can beat this!

 

[miloslave]

This is not good news. I am really praying for you and Bixby to get through this. Please keep us updated.

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

AAAAWWW poor baby! I feel so bad you all are going through this!

Keep your chin up, he will pull through, he has you and all your love helping him.

 

[Anansi]

Aww Stephen, I'm so sorry Sir Bixby is still battling this persistent infection. I'm glad his tests for the "big bad" diseases came back negative.

He looks so sweet sleeping on your hand. My heart's breaking for both of you, he's been such a little trouper through this whole ordeal and I know you and his vet are doing everything possible to help him recover. The vet's words and predictions for Bixby's recovery sound very promising and his recent weight gain is also good reason to look forward to a full recovery. I can only think the new medications, his special diet and TLC from his loving parronts will get him through this. Sending you both big hugs and positive thoughts, My Friend.

Awww, thank you, Allee! The hugs and positive thoughts are so very much appreciated!

He really has been a trooper through all of this and I'm praying that strength of spirit carries him through. He has a fighter's chance right now, and my boy is most definitely a fighter!

Aww, poor Bixby has had such a long haul. He'll pull through, he's getting the best care and has such a devoted parront!

Thank you, Melissa! I'm betting on him, too!

I am so sorry your family and Bixby are going through this. You are all in my thoughts for a fast recovery. It is curious that his brother is not as compromised as he seems to be. He is over a year right? He still has so much of the baby streaking on his beak. I don't know as I have ever seen so much of it left on a bird Bixby's age.

Thanks, Laura!

Yes, Bixby will be turning two by the end of July. And you're right about the baby streaking. The vet thinks it's because he's spent so much of his early life fighting this infection, thus slowing his natural development. This infection first showed up around last June, and then kicked into hyperdrive in the Autumn despite a series of antibiotic treatments. He's been in this fight for quite a while, now.

 

[Kalidasa]

I've been scrolling thru this thread trying to figure out what exactly is wrong? (Barring the high WBC count) I must have missed something...has the vet identified the infection?

 

[Anansi]

Poor Bixby! I'm sorry that it's been a rough bout for your family. I'm also hoping for a speedy recovery too. And that picture is just so sweet, he obviously loves and trusts you so much!

Thank you, Chantal! A speedy recovery sounds great to me, too! And yes, his love and trust has deepened quite a bit since I first got him. It's so crazy how bonded we get to these birds, isn't it?

Stephen, I am so glad to hear that the PDD test came negative. Poor baby, he looks like he feels so bad. I pray that this round actually helps, and that he does great after this...you both deserve it after all you have been through

Thanks, Terry! I can't tell you how relieved I was to learn that the PDD test was negative! I'd done all of the research and had prepared myself in case that was indeed the case, of course. Even PDD wouldn't have made me give up on my Bixby! But learning that it wasn't definitely lifted a weight off of my shoulders.

Stephen, it breaks my heart to hear that Bixby is still struggling with such a tenacious infection.
I am really praying for you that this is just a bump in the road early in Bixby's life, and that he has a long and healthy life ahead once he recovers.

Also, I thought Allee's post was word for word perfect my friend...

Thanks, Julie! I, too, hope that years from now I'll look back at this infection as little more than a footnote, an aberration in Bixby's otherwise robust and healthy life.

Well hell
Be strong Bix! We know you can beat this!

Thanks, K1! Bixby is definitely standing strong. He's obviously getting darned sick of antibiotics, but I'm so impressed that he has not been even remotely cranky with us over it. I'm pretty sure that even I'd have done some biting by now!

This is not good news. I am really praying for you and Bixby to get through this. Please keep us updated.

Thank you! Your prayers are welcomed and appreciated! Good news is relative, I reckon, and learning that it isn't PDD at least provides something of a silver lining for me.

AAAAWWW poor baby! I feel so bad you all are going through this!

Keep your chin up, he will pull through, he has you and all your love helping him.

Thanks, Amanda! I'm definitely working to stay optimistic and strong through all of this.

 

[Anansi]

I've been scrolling thru this thread trying to figure out what exactly is wrong? (Barring the high WBC count) I must have missed something...has the vet identified the infection?

Hey, Chris. Now that he has ruled out PDD, the vet believes that this prolonged issue is due partly to a very stubborn infection, and partly due to a somehow partially compromised immune system. He did say that he has seen this before, where, for whatever reason, a bird's immune system is a little late to blossom and fight the infection as effectively as it should. It could be genetics. (Bixby was indeed significantly smaller and slower to develop than his hatchmate.)

The high WBC count was simply the sign that things were still amiss. Oh! I don't think I mentioned it earlier, but this last time his WBC count was in the normal range. But in the week it took to get that info, Bixby's strength waned and he became somewhat lethargic. So I think maybe the antibiotics had this infection on the ropes, but maybe failed to deliver the knockout blow?

 

[Kalidasa]

Well thank goodness it's not PDD! So sorry you're going thru this, and hope mr. Bill Bixby turns into the Hulk and squashes this bug dead and fast. Never had an eclectus before, but am wondering are probiotics ok for them as with other parrots? (Special diet and all) maybe give the immune system a kickstart? Keeping my fingers crossed for him. He's awfully cute.

 

[miloslave]

Could his lethargy be an reaction to the medication? I am just asking because I once had a budgie who just did not seem to get better. After giving him prescribed medicine for 3 weeks I thought "nooo, this poor birds body must be so tired of the medicine" and decided to give him a break for a day or two as he did not seem to really get any better at that stage. Very lethargic, sleepy etc. About 3 days after stopping the medicine he perked right up, started playing, chirping stopped sleeping so much etc. Still healthy today.

Might it be that Bixby's little body is just tired of the medicine as well if his counts shows normal? Maybe just a question for the vet?