Amazon Vision Problems?

[Isaac-1]

I am writing this message here as I live in an area with no Avian Vets (we do have a few vets that see birds, but are not bird experts). The nearest AAV vet is over 150 miles away, there are probably 6-7 AAV vets within 200 miles, but I feel that the risk in transporting an otherwise aparently healthy bird that distance (including driving in a large city) outweigh the benefits. As to the topic of this message, I have a 19 year old Blue Front Amazon that has lived with me for the last 12 years, he came to me as a previously rescued bird (he lived in a neglectful/abusive home for the first couple of years of his life). When he came to live with me, he had been nursed back to relatively good health with the exception of one partly missing toe (the longer forward toe on his right foot) and apparent limited vision on one side. He and I have learned to cope with these issues, he has learned to stand on the bad foot and eat with the good one, and I have learned to always approach him from his good side, etc. I am not sure exactly how good/bad his overall vision is at this point in time, I do know he can recogize a treat at 5+ feet away, and can successfully fly across the living room to make a pinpoint landing on his new play tree. Recently if the light is at the right angle I have noticed a visible cataract? on his right eye, it appears to be shaped like a grain of rice and yellowish in color and is located just left of the center of the lense of his eye. Is this something to be concearned about? Is there any viable treatment? Should I watch for any change? etc.

Thanks Ike

[Jean]

I'm so sorry you Amazon has had such a tough life. Thank heavens, he was rescued and came to you.

Yes, birds can get cataracts as people and other animals do. I'm sharing an informative article I have saved. http://www.k-state.edu/media/WEB/News/NewsReleases/eagle53006.html

Vitamin A, as well as many vitamins, minerals and amino-acids are critical to maintain a parrot's eyesight and overall good health.
http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/vitamina.htm

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=15&cat=1835&articleid=2054

[Ellen K. Cook, DVM]

Thanks, Jean-excellent links!

Ike, (as Jean said) birds do get cataracts, but there are other things that look like cataracts (abscesses, foreign bodies, tumors, etc.) Even though they are far away, I think a visit is warranted to a good avian veterinarian.

Ike, is this your bird's "good" eye (the one with vision)? If yes, I would strongly encourage you to have him thoroughly examined (which means, not only a physical performed by a good avian DVM, but also blood tests, X-rays, etc.)

Keep us posted!

[Isaac-1]

Due to a number of things beyond my control it will likely be several weeks before I can take him to an out of town vet. I also have a Congo Grey, and am about to get a baby Macaw within the next few weeks, so I may plan to see about scheduling an appointment for all three with an AAV vet. The nearest AAV vets are either in Houston, TX and its suburbs where there are 11, or Baton Rouge, LA where there are 3, the difference in driving distance is insignificant as none of the Houston area vets are listed on my side of the city. By chance is there any vet that you would recomend in either city?

Thanks Ike

It is hard to beleive that there are no avian vets in Louisiana west of the Mississppi River or in Texas east of Houston

[Shirley]

Go to Dr. Jay Carter in Lake Charles... Downtown Animal Hospital on Clarence St. Tell him Shirley Alexander (Morgan now) sent you... he will remember me. (tell him hello for me!)

He's not a member of AAV according to their membership list, but he was treating birds both wild and pet 15 yrs ago when I lived there, he will NOT do anything beyond his expertise, he's a wonderfully kind and well-studied veterinarian -- :wub:

[gary&chloe]

I found Dr. Clubb because of an article in Bird Talk that told about her taking cataracts off of an 18 month old Macaw. So cataracts can be removed, if that is in fact what it is. But you won't know without all the tests and a good look see by a doctor that know's birds.

Sounds like Shirley might have found you one. Good luck.

[Isaac-1]

Thanks, I will try to give him a call tomorrow.

Ike

[Shirley]

Be sure to tell him who referred you... it's been a long time; it'll surprise him I'm sure. (Shirley Alexander Morgan, Troy and Trevor's mom)...

[Isaac-1]

Shirley, no luck with Dr. Carter, I called and told his receptionist that I had a couple of birds and that someone at referred me to them, and almost before I could get the words out of my mouth she said I'm Sorry, Dr. Carter is not taking any new patients at this time, when I asked about other vets in the area she reffered me to one I had already called that occasionaly see birds, rarely larger ones though.

Ike

[Shirley]

well, that's a shame... he's a very good vet... I guess his practice has grown a lot in the past few years... I might try to contact him if you wish -- how serious are you?

[Isaac-1]

I really would like to get them in for a check-up and to get my BFA eye looked at by someone that knows what they are doing (maybe even DNA sexing). In addition I will soon be getting a baby Red Fronted Macaw, that has a damaged primary feather folicle with an elevated potential of a feather cyst. At the same time I don't want to risk a 300+ mile round trip with them to Houston to the nearest AAV vet. The lack of a good avaian vet in this area kept me from adding to my flock for the last several years, before I broke down and got on a waiting list for my RFM last year.

Ike