I think Chewie is in shock

[daddylongnails]

I took Chewie to the vet today and they drew blood for a whole slew of tests. She said he is underweight and his white blood cell count is 48,000 which is extremely high. The PPD and chlamydia test results aren't ready yet, but everything else like liver and kidney function are OK.

He seemed listless on the hour long ride home but then I did the unthinkable , the stupid, the outrageous thing and left him in the car for an hour while I ran an errand. I left the windows rolled down but that was not enough. When I got back, he was panting with his wings outstretched and going nuts in his carrier. I'm convinced another 10 minutes in there would have killed him. I immediately turned the AC on and drove home to give him water. By the time I got home I thought he was going to die. He had stopped panting and stopped moving around. I could still see he was alive, tho. He wouldn't drink water right away but soon drank a ton of it.

Now he's fluffed up with his eyes closed on my chest. He won't move and he can't keep his balance when he tries to adjust himself. I think he's asleep.

My God what was I thinking!!! I know better than this!!!

 

[friedsoup]

aw hell we all make mistake just remember that next time you see on the news some one has left their kid in a car. glad he seem to be doing well just don't let him catch a chill.

 

[daddylongnails]

He's actually doing much better. As soon as posted that, I put him back in his carrier all snug in a towel and he crawled out of it. He's still off balance so I nestled him in his towel and closed the carrier. He needs to be left alone and quiet for the rest of the day.

I hope others will learn from this. Even 5 minutes in a car on a a hot day is too much for a bird. Especially a sick one that had just been manhandled by a couple of vets.

 

[greycloud]

OH my! I hope he continues to improve. Poor baby.
BTW, there is no blood test for PDD.

 

[friedsoup]

Sounds like time for special treat maybe some popcorn or a grape or if you feel really bad a red pear (hint you get to eat most of that they are great!)

 

[dishgal1]

Sounds like your bird has heat stroke. I don't know where you live or how hot it was in the car but you will be very fortunate if he survives that. I just read an article today about heat stroke in birds. Have you called your vet back? That is one of the first things you should have done.
I just can't imagine anyone leaving a bird in a car for an hour.
This could really be a lesson learned.

 

[patch]

I think you learned your lesson, but just for the record for everyone on the forum: NEVER leave a pet in your car. It's bad news for sure.

 

[guesswhokatysue]

I hope your little guy is ok!

Keep us updated for sure!

 

[Boomer]

I hope Chewie is well soon. Chewie will be in my thoughts.

 

[PetoftheDay]

He'll be in our prayers for a full recovery, poor guy!

 

[Lintini]

That is strange that you posted this, the ASPCA posted today on my facebook in only ONE minute in a car it can raise 20 degrees and kill your companion. I guess because it is summer. We don't realize it but because of the tiny size it heats up really fast. Also I want to warn you, where I live, it is VERY popular to break into cars and STEAL pets. Great right???? It's not a great idea to leave any pets in the car. My mom told me I can't take any of her dogs to places where they are left in the car. Too many cases of dogs getting stolen out of cars. I hope your baby makes a full recovery and please don't leave him in the car again! In just one minute that car temp can raise so much --- try it out for yourself if you don't believe me!

 

[dishgal1]

I have read that with heat stroke, you should lightly mist them at the first sign and get to the vet. I just hope poor little Chewie makes it. That is so sad. The being off balance is what is frightening. Please update us.

 

[daddylongnails]

He is doing fine. And yes, it's one of those things that you do and then wonder wtf you were thinking because I know better and I could have taken him home first. Why didn't I ? Who the eff knows. All I know is I'll never be doing this BS again, let me tell you.

He has been resting, eating, and drinking water since yesterday. He seems awefully tired and sleepy so I've left him in the bird carrier because he seems so comfortable and content in there. He has a nice fluffy towel to rest against and his balance is fine now. He just seems very tired and a little weak.

I did not call the vet because they are 1 hour away from my neck of the woods and I knew what he needed more than anything was to cool off and get some fluids into him. Thank gawd he's OK !!!

 

[guesswhokatysue]

Glad to hear your little guy is doing OK!

 

[dishgal1]

Glad to hear he is better, but you probably should at least call the vet and see what advice they can give you on how to bring him out of it.
Take care of that little sweetie.

 

[ConureCrazy]

YAY for chewie! I'm glad he's better!

 

[daddylongnails]

Chewie is finally back to his old self. He started vocalizing today very loudly and somehow the whole dreadful experience seems to have tamed him much much more. He has not bitten me once since the whole ordeal on wednesday. in fact, he comes right up to me readily when I put my hand out. Maybe he doesn't realize I'm the reason he almost died, but instead remembers I'm the one that nursed him back to health right after it happened. who knows. He is still skinny as all hell. The vet did say he was underweight. I offer him food and hand feeding formula every day (he likes it a lot). I have not given him much veggies but after I get shopping tomorrow, I will give him some corn and see if he likes that. I also got him a bed/tent and he sleeps up against it. Won't go inside it yet.

But anyway, I did take a picture of him right after he nearly died. I wanted to share with you and he doesn't look very good in this one.

He's on doxycycline because he's fighting something off. his white cell blood count was 48,000.

Here's a better picture of him when he was feeling much better.

 

[dishgal1]

That poor little thing. I hope you know how lucky you are to have him alive.
Get him some red bell pepper to eat. My little conure picks that out first his favorite. Also try some broccoli. Just cook it slightly until it is bright green. Try chopping it up for him. That would be excellent for him and would help him with potassium which he probably needs right now.

 

[daddylongnails]

It's a miracle he's alive. I used to breed birds and have had the misfortune of watching more than one bird die including my cag when she became poisoned and Chewie was literally at death's doorstep. There were a few seconds where he went stiff and he could not move and I'd will him to breathe. Really, I know exactly how lucky I am. And him too, for that matter. You can bet your life I will never leave any animal in a car ever again!

 

[guesswhokatysue]

I am so happy to see him so healthy! He is such a BEAUTIFUL bird!! That picture of him all perked up and happy looking is awesome. He really is truly a great looking bird. I think he is lucky to have you for his owner. We ALL make mistakes, we learn from those mistakes. Some owners may have counted him for a goner and let him die, YOU stayed with him and nursed him and took care of him. You DID NOT desert him in his time of need. I believe you saved him and that he knows you helped give him a will to carry on. That is special, and some credit to give yourself for sure.