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.
