Phillip looks paralyzed! D:

[NightEule5]

Today I woke up and saw Phillip in the bottom of his cage in the corner, sleeping. He started flapping around but couldn't get up. Now Mom is snuggling him but it doesn't look like he has control of any of his body.

Could it have been a stroke? He was totally fine yesterday, but I understand that they hide their symptoms.

I checked further, and there are no avian vets in our whole province. The nearest one would be in BC 12 hours away! What do I do?

 

[dhraiden]

Strokes in Parrots

In this case, I would call general vets in your area and see if any have experience with birds. I found the following passage regarding strokes and parrots, from this site. I hope it may be of some assistance, and am sorry that has happened to your bird. Unfortunately, most websites covering the intersection of these two topics are bit dated, and only offer visiting a vet as soon as possible as far as suggested treatment. I would directly message any of the older, more experienced posters on this site - especially those who have experience breeding - for more information.

6/7/2012

Bird Veterinarian: Dr. Pat
Greetings, I am Dr. Pat. I have worked with birds for many years. I will do my best to help you.

"strokes" are fairly common in Amazons. The good news is that with treatment and rehab, they may be able to regain most of their functionality. It can take time, and patience, but is entirely possible.

He may be able to be treated. Right now, taking him to a GOOD and experienced vet that is very familiar with parrots will increase his chances of survival and recovery. An inexperienced vet may suggest euthanasia--which may not be the right path. I have had comatose birds take up to a year, but they came back to 95% themselves. So it is definitely worth the effort.

If he were my patient, I would put him in oxygen right away, and treat with valium (helps the anxiety, and even the brain damage a little), calcium (many nervous issues can be partially due to calcium deficit), tube feed if he is not eating enough, and fluid injections if he is not eating at all.

Be prepared for a possible repeat episode.

It will be very important in his recovery that he be on a good diet and husbandry plan (see below) and your vet may opt to put him on lactulose to help any underlying liver issues. At some point he should have lab work done (right now it would reflect his trauma) and treatments designed based on facts.

Physical therapy on the weak limbs will be important, if the vet does not find any fractures or other trauma.

Move the bird to an aquarium, box or carrier with soft towels in the bottom, no perch, and food and water in low bowls that can be reached easily. Put the whole thing on a heating pad on low or medium. Check it frequently, no overheating allowed! Keep the unit partially covered, warm and quiet. White paper towels or white cloth towels will show the true color of the droppings.


Do not try to force food or water. You can offer warm cooked rice, pancakes, cornbread, grapes, melon, greens in addition to normal food.

You need to to take your bird to see an avian-experienced veterinarian ASAP for complete examination, diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Check
http://www.aav.org/association/index.php?content=activeMembersList
for members of AAV in your area or call your regular vet and see who they recommend; ask if they really have worked with birds a lot.

The following guidelines help with basic issues such as nutrition, obesity, good immune status. Surprising how the following can make a bird healthy, and how infrequently birds are ill if they are on the following regimen. No amount of medicine is going to work if the birds' basic needs are not met.

Birds should be on a high-quality, preferably prescription, pelleted diet: I prefer High-potency Harrison's
http://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.Harrison's Bird Foods is a family of certified organic pet bird diets that were formulated to make your bird as healthy as it can possibly be.

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In addition, they should be offered dark leafy greens, cooked sweet potatoes, yams, squash, pumpkin; entire (tops and bottoms) fresh carrots and so forth. No seeds (and that means a mix, or millet, or sprays, etc. etc.) and only healthy, low-fat high fiber people food. A dietary change should be closely monitored and supervised by your avian vet.

Daily Maintenance

Birds should get 12-14 hours dark, quiet, uninterrupted sleep at night. Any less and they can suffer from sleep deprivation and associated illnesses. They should be covered or their cage placed in a dark room that is not used after they go to bed.

The cage material should be cleaned everyday, and twice a day if the bird is really messy. Paper towels, newspaper, bath towels are ok. Never use corn cob, sawdust, wood chips, or walnut shell.
Food and water dishes should be cleaned and changed daily. Keep one set cleaned while the other is in use.

Fresh, perishable food should be placed in separate food bowls. Remove fresh food from the cage after a couple of hours to avoid spoilage.

Change cage papers daily, and clean the grate and tray weekly.

Clean food debris or droppings from toys and perches as needed (which can be as often as once a day).

Grit is not necessary for birds, and will cause digestive problems and death. The best sources of minerals (and vitamins) are leafy greens. Never give grit, gravel sandpaper or cement perches. A bird will eat those to excess when it is not feeling well or if there is a nutritional deficiency. They do not need it at all (an old myth from the poultry days, even poultry do not need it). It can cause an impaction and lead to serious or fatal consequences.

 

[LeslieA]

Two things:
1) Call your AV! Ask about the following 2 and 3.
2) Online AVs are available for around USD40- 50 (?). I've never used or known anyone that has but know they exist.
3) Are there emergency vet clinics or even rescues nearer?

Best wishes to you and Phillip!!! Please keep us updated.

 

[NightEule5]

There is a vet 15 minutes away but they're mostly a farm vet. We contacted them and they said the vet in a conference right now.

45 minutes away in a larger city there would be more vets, but I don't know if they would be experienced either. It looks like the only actual avian vets are in Edmonton or Calgary which are 4 or 6 hours away. We can call them though.

 

[Laurasea]

Oh no!!!!! Terrible news on your sweet baby!!!! Sending well wishes. I hope you are able to find a vet that can help. I hope to hear things improve..

 

[NightEule5]

Thanks. The vet in ValleyView is going to see him at 12.

 

[Jen5200]

Let us know what the vet says. So sorry Phillip and you are going through this.

 

[Terry57]

Here is our vet's number in Edmonton, her name is Dr. Gordey:

https://vcacanada.com/riverbendedm/contact-us

She has been amazing with our birds. Wishing you the best of luck, keeping Phillip in my prayers.

Edit: Just saw your post about ValleyView, please let us know what happens.

 

[NightEule5]

His toes aren't curled anymore and he's waking up more. I had a stroke when I was 3 and recovered after just 12 hours. I think in people sometimes it can just come and go with no explanation.

 

[NightEule5]

Well, he's stiff and I don't think he's breathing. I'm speechless.

 

[dhraiden]

That is very unfortunate: strive to make his passing as comfortable as possible (if its seems nigh) through touch. This is a difficult thing to witness, you have my sympathies.

 

[NightEule5]

Thank you for your support

 

[Terry57]

Oh no, I am so very sorry

 

[Laurasea]

Oh I am so saddened by this! Poor Phillip. Oh Wiseowl5 this is so difficult for you just gut wrenching. My sympathies to you and your family.

 

[LaManuka]

I’m so sorry this is happening to Phillip and you, I’m heartbroken for you both.

 

[Laurasea]

You do need to be concerned about those viruses, many can cause neurological symptoms, and the young newly weaned are most vunrable to them. If you think you might after you heal from this...get a new bird I would discard all perches and toys and food dishes and use that cleaner noodles recommend ....just do heartbroken for you.

 

[Morty]

Jesus, I'm sorry to hear this :|

 

[Flboy]

I am so sorry! I know this is devistating!

 

[MikeD91]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss.

 

[noodles123]

Oh my gosh..... I am so so so sorry. I wish there was something I could do to fix it or help...words just always seem kind of empty (no matter how heart-felt). SO sorry