Should I be concerned?

[morgavin]

Hi,
I'm thinking "to the vet". Pepper, my recently adopted Amazon has started to "lay down". She is laying still and seems docile, with eyes mostly closed. She was up earlier when I cooked dinner as we share our meals and she knows when I cook she will be eating some of my food. She still eats and drinks, but is not very active. I was reading another post by Leah and it has me concerned to see Pepper becoming so unactive. Just last nite she was climbing the curtains, playing, singing, and being quite the act up. Is this just an overly reactive dad???

[morgavin]

Well to the vet just to b sure.....

[Shirley]

Lay down? On the floor of her cage?

What do her droppings look like?

Always a call to the vet when concerned.

be ready with the following:

droppings... color, consistency

food -- what has she eaten in the past 24-48 hrs

what has changed in her environment - exposure to any toxins inside or outside the house?

extreme disruption of routine or sleep?

Sometimes birds, like us, just have an off day...but these are things you'll tell your vet...

smell her breath

has she had a bath lately? skin smell normal?

foot and beak temp feel like they usually do?

this is all info for you and your vet... not a "board diagnosis" for heaven's sake!

Let us know...

~ Shirley

[Jean]

Neil, I see this post after the fact. I am glad you read Lea's post about her sick bird. Shirley noted a lot of good points and the urgency to see a vet.

I am glad you decided to get her to a vet. The one thing to always keep in mind, birds can become ill and not show actual signs of it until they are very ill. The 1st sign of a bird being down is usually a very serious sign.

Please, let us know what happens as soon as you can. I am keeping you and your baby in my thoughts and prayers.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v387/jeanaskins/graphics/Bunny20Hugs5best.jpg

[Majj]

:scratchch Geeee It doesn`t sound too good to me , I hope you got her to the vet quick smart ...Praying and thinking of your little girl....
Let us know whats happening we will all be worrying ....:grouphug:

[Jean]

Neil, I looked for an update this morning. Hoping, you are very busy and did not have time to reply yet.
I hope, your little sweetheart is alright. :grouphug:

[morgavin]

Well,
here's the update, Talked to a "vet" last nite and didn't feel totally confident in him. He told me that if she was eating and drinking that it wasn't "that urgent. I took off of work this AM and dug around to find a GOOD avian vet. All I could find in the phone book or online was a rescue. Bingo!!!! Fran was kind enough to give me name and address of a 20+ yr Avian only vet. Avian Medical Center in Lake Oswego, Or. With no travel cage, I put Pepper in an orange box (heavy duty with big holes). I felt bad about having to do that. Well I get to the vet and 6+ hrs later.... did I ever get anatomy 101 on birds. No infection, bacterial or viral, no toxins, it was a FUNGUS!~!. The vet said it could have been from a single piece of veggie or fruit, and that the fungus was growing in her gut.
While I was waiting, the "nurse asked if I would like to OK xrays for the most complete exam possible. Are you kidding, why even ask. I want the BEST possible care for her. This is where the anatomy 101 comes in.
Pepper's skeletal make up was the worst the vet had ever seen. Scoliosis in the hips sooooo bad the vet remarked that she should have extreme difficulty walking, and that her shoulders were so deformed that I would never have to clip her wings as flight would be nearly impossible. Her lungs are small, her heart is oversized, her liver small, and her physical make up overall, NOT NORMAL. She is a bird that in the wild would have been culled by nature.
I asked the vet how this would affect her " quality of life". She isn't in pain and should be just fine. Love and care and a good long life. She is spending the nite so the vet can monitor how well she is doing with the fungus. She was passing pure fungus balls instead of poop. She treated the fungus and within a couple of hours was showing good improvement.
I will see if the vet will email me the xrays since they are already in digital format.
On a lighter note, I am attaching photos of Pepper on her new perch/play stand(still under construction) and a pic of my other "wet pets"
Thanks for you concern for my new "child". I say that b/c while at the vet I felt like a dad with his child at the hospital. Nervous, anxious to find out, and pacing the floor. Its only been a few weeks, but from my side, the bond has already been made.:heart:
To answer questions
Sprayed well every day till she's soaked
Changed her diet to the Bir-dlicious from the site I found @ Michelle's website...will not eat it, so it was back to the seed and fresh fruit and veggies
sleep and environment constant
I wish I could know foot and beak temp.... still slowly gaining her confidence and looking to keep as much of my flesh I can. I am learning her "don't touch me now" and haven't been bitten in a while, but then I'm not pushing anything with her. Just letting her know me and me her. Shirley... I appreciate all the help and would never *** u me (assume)
any thing more than guidance from you, or anyone here. You all have the best interest of our loving pets at heart.:thanx: PS yes its a sipral stair case

[morgavin]

I should let you know "THE REST OF THE STORY" about the orange winged Amazon I had such a close bond with. She was "perfectly fine", or so I thought, when we went to bed one nite, and the next morning she was at the bottom of her cage :( . I know all too well that birds can look well and be sick. In nature if they show signs of illness or damage, they are food. So they, by nature, try to seem well for self preservation. I look for any change in activity, or personallity. Like if yesterday she was agressive and moody, and today seem affectionate and docile....warning...danger danger... something isn't right.
I kept waking up last nite b/c I wasn't comfortable with what the first "vet" said. Luckily Pepper made it through the nite 'til I could find and get her to a real Avian Vet. A real specialty vet that KNOWS birds. http://avianmedicalcenter.net/ the home page says alot

[Jean]

Neil, :thanx: for the update on Pepper. At least you know how to treat her and more about her anatomy and overall health.

I know a man that has a too that has had an enlarged heart for 12 years and with good diet it is doing very good.

[Jean]

I forgot to mention the cute spiral steps to her perch. Did you make it? Now, all she needs is an upstairs play house. LOL

[morgavin]

went to Fran's website. She is the rescue that put me in touch with the vet....WOW....bird behaviorist many yrs has 12 of her own, and a website full of useful info and an outlook on birds that IMHO is down to earth....I think anyone looking to own/care for a bird would do well to visit it and read alot
http://www.fransbirdrescue.com/ There are some shocking stories and pics of birds and people that thought they wanted a bird.
Lots of advice on biting..the whys and to do s and not to do s,
a lot of good stuff

[harleybaby]

Oh Neil I'm sorry I didn't see this earlier. Big hugs to you and I'm so happy you trusted your insticts and got Pepper to a good avian vet. I'm so happy to read that Pepper will be ok!!!!! You are a great birdie dad, Pepper is very lucky to have you!!!!!! Keep us updated on how Pepper is doing. :tighthug: Leah

[morgavin]

Like I said "still under construction" After the vet visit, there will be an upstairs play house. Vet says flat footed not perched the easiest most comfortable way for her to sleep. She's getting a platform in her cage and on her playstand. The spiral stairs were a pain to make , but nothings to good for her. Besides, I don't do many things ordinary.....just a different kinda guy who likes to build things....anything with anything...metal, plastic, wood, glass, concrete,......anything especially if its different

[morgavin]

Leah, Just noticed u r here. Hows Micki doin'?

[harleybaby]

Hi Neil. LOL I just read it when it said Harley. I saw you read about Mickey, thank you! Harley is my love, I love all my birds of course but shes has just completely captured my heart. She was Mickey's girlfriend so I'm hoping his loss won't affect her too badly.


I'm just glad that Pepper is ok, I was so worried when I read your post.:)

[Shirley]

:thanx: Neil for the updates and photos and all the news! Some very shocking! Wow! The things that are inside our birds and we never know it!

Thank you for sharing all the details!
Wishing you continued success!
Shirley :heart:

[NHMarie]

Neil,
Wow, I am so glad you found a good vet to take Pepper to. Sorry she sounds like such a "mess" of a bird (not a good term but i cant think of what I want to say right now). Love her! Thats the best advice!

[Sue]

Neil, I'm so glad Pepper is going to be OK:wub: How did she come to be with you, did I miss the story:confused:

I love the staircase:highfive:

[morgavin]

:emot-danc SHE"S BACK...brought my little girl home from the vet. Boy what a difference. Singing and being her old self again... Really happy that she let's me skritch her so easily. Need to give her meds for the next ten days. I couldn't believe the vet suggested putting her meds in cool whip. I would think it too sweet. She seems to be a lot more active, climbing the branches of the apple tree I put on top of her cage, and playing with some of her toys!!!!! She is turning into a real ham. It makes me soooo happy to see her the way I remember Amazons are. Gonna work on that loft for her perch/playstand tomorrow.

[Jean]

That is wonderful to hear!!! :dance: I am glad you can treat it that easily.


:confused: What antibiotic did your vet put her on?

[Shirley]

Great news, Neil!

Cool whip! Well, my vet has me put the tip of the syringe in honey, then she takes it real well! :thumbup:

Congrats on EVERYTHING!!

[Shirley]

went to Fran's website. She is the rescue that put me in touch with the vet....WOW....bird behaviorist many yrs has 12 of her own, and a website full of useful info and an outlook on birds that IMHO is down to earth....I think anyone looking to own/care for a bird would do well to visit it and read alot
http://www.fransbirdrescue.com/ There are some shocking stories and pics of birds and people that thought they wanted a bird.
Lots of advice on biting..the whys and to do s and not to do s,
a lot of good stuff

That is a great website, and looks to me like a rescue run well and ethically, with many if not most birds placed in homes... excellent information, and very realistic rates for behavior consultation and support, both on- and off-site.

Thank you Neil for bringing it to your attention!
:goodjob:

[birdnerd]

I'm glad the little critter is back home. I'm a little confused about the antibiotic given for a fungus (?!), but then again, I'm not a vet.

(:

[Majj]

What a relief ..I hate reading about members fids being sick I worry about them all....
Good Job I bet your feeling relieved...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v373/Maj/Gifs%20and%20siggys/CuddlingToo.jpg

[gary&chloe]

I'd take Pepper to the vet. "Better safe than sorry." When a bird looks and acts sick, they are REALLY sick.

Certainly can't hurt to have your bird looked at by a good avian vet.

[amazing greys]

wow Neal, glad everything is under control and found a good avain vet!!


btw........love the spiral stairs!! I think that would go good on my pvc stand!! Is there any way you can get a better closeup on that, hehehe?? You can put in in the Treasure Island projects forum, so anyone else could see.

Keep on lovin your Pepper, I'm sure all your :heart: will help her w/whatever may come!!

[Sue]

What a relief ..I hate reading about members fids being sick I worry about them all....
Good Job I bet your feeling relieved...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v373/Maj/Gifs%20and%20siggys/CuddlingToo.jpg

Majj you'll have to stop posting pic's of me and Toto on here!!:roflmao2: :roflmao2: :roflmao2: :roflmao2: :roflmao2:

[Shirley]

Majj you'll have to stop posting pic's of me and Toto on here!!:roflmao2: :roflmao2: :roflmao2: :roflmao2: :roflmao2:

:shrug2: Hey, isn't that the pic you sent me of you and Toto taken last Christmas? :rotflmao:

[Sue]

:agree: :agree: :roflmao2: :roflmao2: :roflmao2:

[amazing greys]

:rofl: I wanna know how she got her hair to stay like that?? :rofl:


:funny: :rotflmao:

[Jean]

:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

[Sue]

:rofl: I wanna know how she got her hair to stay like that?? :rofl:


:funny: :rotflmao:
I'll tell you later Barb:roflmao2: :roflmao2: :roflmao2:

[birdnerd]

Way too much hairspray?

[morgavin]

I'm a little confused about the antibiotic given for a fungus (?!), but then again, I'm not a vet.Birdnerd... no one said antibiotics...just medication...I have no clue as to what it is....
the hair thing must be gel...quite the sculpture

[Jean]

Birdnerd... no one said antibiotics...just medication...I have no clue as to what it is....
the hair thing must be gel...quite the sculpture

Neil, I asked what kind of antibiotic she was. all the time meaning to ask what type of medications she's on? :confused: That could be where BN got the idea of the antibiotics.

[birdnerd]

Yep.

I've been busier than a 1-armed wallpaper hanger this week, so don't mind me if I mis-read something.

I hope it's not an antibiotic. Those tend to make fungus infections go nuts because the "good guy" bacteria takes a hit, too.

[morgavin]

Sorry it took me so long to get back to this post. The medication is sporonox. 15 beads a day X 10 days.
birdnerdYep.

I've been busier than a 1-armed wallpaper hanger this week, so don't mind me if I mis-read something.


And I love the one armed paper hanger :roflmao2:

[morgavin]

I'll post her xrays as soon as I get 'em. Its enlightening to see what is inside. It helped me understand Pepper and what I could do to help make her life better.

[birdnerd]

"sporo" = spores/implies a fungus or fern ... probably fungus. Never heard of a fern infection.

"nox" = nighttime or poison

Sounds like the stuff!

My other favorite: busier than a 1-legged man in a butt-kicking contest.

[morgavin]

Well I got the xrays and resized them to share They were originally 7.6 mgs. I hope they are detailed enough to understand what her skeletal stucture is and how it would effect her ability to fly, walk, even how her internal organs are affected. That lump on her back should be almost a straight line. Walking difficult and perching to sleep not a good thing. Then the second one shows her undersized lungs, large heart and messed up shoulders,which would make filght short at best. Seeing these, I understand her soo much better, and can try to make her life easier. I wouldn't give her up for nothin.My little girl is gonna be taken care of to the best of my abilities. I'm thinking of getting her a companion and if I can't do that, I'll get one for myself to help take care of her. LOL (I'm single ) :ohmy:http://img34.echo.cx/img34/9733/pepperynamazon0lb.th.jpg (http://img34.echo.cx/my.php?image=pepperynamazon0lb.jpg)

[birdnerd]

Wow, Morgavin. Your poor baby! She's lucky she has you to look after her.