Dr. C....need your help for clinic bird

[ouccmich]

Hi Dr. C,

I would love your advice on how to treat a clinic quaker parrot (who was donated to us yesterday due to neglectful owners, the bird is plucked bald). I only know how to take care of dogs and cats (haven't learned enough about birds yet). The bird was let out of his cage and the clinic cat got him. She bit him pretty deeply in his breast muscle area and underneath his wing (on his side). My boss wanted to suture him up (he's not bleeding) but I told her I thought we should leave it to drain and let it heal by second intention. Start on Clavamox (look in formulary for dose), injectible Baytril, and Metacam for pain. Apparently one of my associates used acepromazine to calm the little guy down and flushed the wounds with dilute chlorhexidine. My question is, what would you do?

Bird is currently under influence of ace and has his head down. I am not at the clinic today to look at the bird, but my boss called me and wanted to know what to do. I told her the above, but also said I would ask you and see what you thought.

I am having them move him to a dark, quiet room for today. Try to ensure he is eating when the ace wears off. I think keeping him eating is super important! Doesn't seem like the punctures hit any air sacs, so I think we're okay to flush the wounds.

THANKS!

Michelle :)

[Shirley]

I'm talking to Ellen on the phone, and taking dictation:

No more ace.

Use Baytril and Metacam; injectable Baytril can be given orally (same dosage)

Main danger is not from bleeding, but from infection.

Plucked Quakers often have liver disease. Recommend a full blood screen.

Chlorohexidine (Nolvasan dilution) to clean wounds is fine.

I prefer Silvadine over Chlorohexidine - prescription at pharmacy. (Chlorohexidine is fine, though)

Don't use any other kind of ointment on a bird.

Good Luck!

[Ellen K. Cook, DVM]

Hi Michelle-

Hope the little guy is doing well. Keep him on antibiotics 10-14 days. You are right not to suture if the wounds are small. I will suture large wounds.

I use the injectable Baytril orally all the time. It can be painful when injected and cause tissue necrosis. Since he has a wound in the breast already and we inject birds in the breast muscle, we wouldn't want to inflict more pain on this poor little guy than necessary.

I'm sure that you are well aware that the biggest danger with cats biting birds is not the trauma, but the sepsis. I have seen birds die in less than 24 hours from untreated cat bite wounds, so I treat cat/dog bite wounds as an emergency, even if the wound itself is tiny.

[ouccmich]

Hi Dr. C,

The bird is not doing so great. I am giving the injectible Batril orally and Clavamox orally. The wound is deep but not bleeding. I am worried that sometimes I find him on the floor of his cage and now his left foot does not want to grip anything at all. Not sure what to make of that. Also, his crop is filling with air, I can see the air sac through his puncture and it seems intact. He is eating, but sometimes sits on the bottom of the cage and seems depressed....worried worried.

[CocosMomma]

Hi, Dr. M.: Wow, that's a rough one. I hope the little guy is doing better. I know you are doing everything possible to keep him comfortable and pull him through.:wub::goodjob:

[Ellen K. Cook, DVM]

Michelle, don't worry about the air sac, that is not a big deal. The inability to grip w/left foot, however is :( That may indicate some upper motor neurological damage and/or internal injury/infection.

You are doing all you can. I suspect this bird has some major health issues (hence the plucking) and the cat bite may be more than this poor little guy can handle. Keep giving antibiotics and keep him warm and dark.

I am leaving for OR early in morning, so won't be online for 24 hours or so-let me know how things go.

[ouccmich]

Dr. C-

My little parrot is doing great. Eating/sining and regained full use of his left leg (nerve inflammation?). Tomorrow is the tenth day of antibiotics....is that a good duration for a cat bite wound?

Michelle :)

[Sue]

Hang in there, you're doing great!

[Jim]

Good news, Michelle. Glad you little parrot is doing good.:)

[scotty]

Great news Michelle :emot-danc

[Ellen K. Cook, DVM]

Wonderful news, Michelle! I usually continue antibiotics for 14 days, then stop, if the bird is doing well and the wounds are healed. I am happy your little guy is doing well :thumbup:

[Eriisu-chan]

YAY!! We got a little fighter pilot on our hands! Good job keeping him healthy! :emot-danc

[lutlonow]

This is such a nice ending to a scary story!!

[SummerJ]

I am so glad to hear he is doing better!!:heart:

[ouccmich]

He is doing awesome. His wounds are healed and he's eating/singing. Feathers are starting to grow in as well (he's a feather plucked little guy). Woo hoo. My first bird patient.

[CocosMomma]

I am so happy for you and the little guy! It seems to me that soon he'll be writing a testimonial for the clinic!!:D