Relapse or continuation.

I had to take my OWA Plumas back to the vet today. He was in very bad shape Monday/Monday night.
In the AM he was very sleepy and while perching looked like he was sitting in gusty winds. He was weaving and like leaning into a wind that was not there. When he walked from one end of the perch to the other he looked like he was drunk.

In the evening Plumas went down to the bottom of the cage and just sat there. His breathing was labored although not panting. Pacho his mate went down to the bottom to keep him company for a while. I was very worried when I went to bed, half expecting to loose Plumas through the night.
This morning Plumas was on his perch again but no more stable than before.

I called up the avian vet and took him in right away. He had had a blood test back in October and everything came back normal so we did not do a second blood test.
His lungs and heart sounded good. His weight was normal.

The vet’s opinion was that Plumas is very old and may have had a stroke. There is really no way to test for that nor anything that can be done to reduce symptoms. He has given me something for pain in case he has arthritis and to make him more comfortable. If the medication does not help I think I will have him X-rayed to look for anything abnormal.

It hurts so much to see him suffer.
Texsize

I'm sorry to see this. How old is Plumas?


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texsize said:

I had to take my OWA Plumas back to the vet today. He was in very bad shape Monday/Monday night.
In the AM he was very sleepy and while perching looked like he was sitting in gusty winds. He was weaving and like leaning into a wind that was not there. When he walked from one end of the perch to the other he looked like he was drunk.

In the evening Plumas went down to the bottom of the cage and just sat there. His breathing was labored although not panting. Pacho his mate went down to the bottom to keep him company for a while. I was very worried when I went to bed, half expecting to loose Plumas through the night.
This morning Plumas was on his perch again but no more stable than before.

I called up the avian vet and took him in right away. He had had a blood test back in October and everything came back normal so we did not do a second blood test.
His lungs and heart sounded good. His weight was normal.

The vet’s opinion was that Plumas is very old and may have had a stroke. There is really no way to test for that nor anything that can be done to reduce symptoms. He has given me something for pain in case he has arthritis and to make him more comfortable. If the medication does not help I think I will have him X-rayed to look for anything abnormal.

It hurts so much to see him suffer.
Texsize

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I can only view this from what I have seen with my Amazons over the years. So, here goes.

I would have requested the blood screen. It would have indicated if your Amazon was fighting an illness. With October being only two months ago, I can see the thinking, but that is more than enough time for an illness to set in. Also, the blood screen would give you an additional picture, yet another look, at your Amazon's heart beyond hearing it.

The X-ray would commonly be an extension of what the physical examination and blood tests found. So, I would do the blood test and follow with the X-ray based on the findings.

Hope you baby gets better!

I have nothing useful to contribute but maybe I hopehopehope it will be a tiny comfort to you, somebody I consider a friend. *HUGZSZSZSZSZSZS*

I am sorry Plumas isn't feeling well

My mom's GCA (also a senior bird) had a stroke a few years back. He had the same kind of symptoms you'd see in a human- fell of his perch in the middle of the night having what seemed like a seizure and now has reduced mobility to one side of his body. He initially recovered some mobility back, but he is almost totally disabled now and very restricted in movement (Barney has had other health issues of unknown origin since he was very young, suspected to be genetic, has had cataracts for years along with arthritis which set in after the stroke). His foot is permanently "curled" and the wing on that side is droopy as well. Even though he is almost wholly reliant now on people to move him around as he can no longer climb and can barely perch, he is still a happy bird who will chew up a toy placed close to him, still loves food (and as he is so old and in such poor health with nothing to be done, he gets more treats and things he really shouldn't have now to keep him happy) and has his "mate" of 40 years (a DYH) who sits with him and preens him. If I'm not mistaken, Plumas has a long time buddy too. Your other zon will take good care of him They are such social creatures and know when a long time friend or love is ill and respond to that in a way only another parrot can.

It's hard to see a previously happy and active bird who's been a part of your life for so long suffer the effects of age. I hope whatever is wrong with Plumas can be accurately diagnosed and treated so he'll have many more good years with you. Sounds like up until now, Plumas has always been a healthy bird (unlike Barney who was always "off") so hopefully there is a good prognosis for him

Taw5106 said:

I'm sorry to see this. How old is Plumas?


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exact age is unknown. I bought him around 1985. Is wild caught .

SailBoat said:

texsize said:

I had to take my OWA Plumas back to the vet today. He was in very bad shape Monday/Monday night.
In the AM he was very sleepy and while perching looked like he was sitting in gusty winds. He was weaving and like leaning into a wind that was not there. When he walked from one end of the perch to the other he looked like he was drunk.

In the evening Plumas went down to the bottom of the cage and just sat there. His breathing was labored although not panting. Pacho his mate went down to the bottom to keep him company for a while. I was very worried when I went to bed, half expecting to loose Plumas through the night.
This morning Plumas was on his perch again but no more stable than before.

I called up the avian vet and took him in right away. He had had a blood test back in October and everything came back normal so we did not do a second blood test.
His lungs and heart sounded good. His weight was normal.

The vet’s opinion was that Plumas is very old and may have had a stroke. There is really no way to test for that nor anything that can be done to reduce symptoms. He has given me something for pain in case he has arthritis and to make him more comfortable. If the medication does not help I think I will have him X-rayed to look for anything abnormal.

It hurts so much to see him suffer.
Texsize

Click to expand...

I can only view this from what I have seen with my Amazons over the years. So, here goes.

I would have requested the blood screen. It would have indicated if your Amazon was fighting an illness. With October being only two months ago, I can see the thinking, but that is more than enough time for an illness to set in. Also, the blood screen would give you an additional picture, yet another look, at your Amazon's heart beyond hearing it.

The X-ray would commonly be an extension of what the physical examination and blood tests found. So, I would do the blood test and follow with the X-ray based on the findings.

Hope you baby gets better!

Click to expand...

I did seriously consider the X-ray. I don't think age or arthritis can explain all symptoms. In fact nothing I can think of explains ALL symptom.

Infection, Plumas has no loss of apatite and is alert. I would not think infection would cause the apparent dizziness. labored breathing and sleepiness yes.

arthritis, would not cause labored breathing . would not cause dizziness. It could cause him difficulty holding on to the perch and or falling of off it.

Stroke, I think this is the thing that explains the majority of his symptoms. It is A typical symptoms. I would expect paralysis on one side of the body or the other but that is not always the case.

If the medication does not improve Plumas I will be going back REAL SOON.
texsize

I'm so sorry to hear about Plumas . That is very emotionally hard. Crossing fingers and hoping the best for your little buddy.

I'm so sorry. One thing you might try..a new technique used with human stroke victims is to move their limbs for them. For a human, this might be bending and unbending and arm or the hand, lifting it and moving through the full range of motion. This keeps the nerves from going silent - they keep signaling the brain, and the brain begins to develop new neural pathways to process these signals, eventually returning conscious control to the affected part. It would be worth a try, if Plumas will allow it - stretch and move his wings, feet, anything you can.

Kentuckienne said:

I'm so sorry. One thing you might try..a new technique used with human stroke victims is to move their limbs for them. For a human, this might be bending and unbending and arm or the hand, lifting it and moving through the full range of motion. This keeps the nerves from going silent - they keep signaling the brain, and the brain begins to develop new neural pathways to process these signals, eventually returning conscious control to the affected part. It would be worth a try, if Plumas will allow it - stretch and move his wings, feet, anything you can.

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Unfortunately because he was wild caught he does not like handling.
After brining him back from the vet and trying to get him back in his cage I was able to scratch his neck. This is something I have NEVER been able to do for him.
I am keeping Pacho in a separate cage during the day. even though they are friends they do ... well pacho is a little bossy and in moving from one side of the cage to the other forces Plumas to move. Right now when he is having so much trouble moving around it's better to let him stay in one place without squabbling.

I am so sorry to hear this Praying that he comes through this stronger than ever.

Sorry to hear this sad news. Sending all good wishes and prayers for Plumas.

ITS ALL MY FAULT!! :08: I should have kept my big mouth shut...and not send you a PM the other day asking about Plumas


sighhhhhhhhh :17:



Jim

Very sad to hear Plumas is not well. I hope he remains comfortable and pain-free. Let us hope for a rebound, and if not would definitely seek an X-Ray. But his labored breathing may give pause for any anesthesia required to immobilize.

I assume you have full confidence in the vet, and that a second opinion is not yet desired?

Back in October after first visit I was given antibiotics for bacteria in Plumas's throat. At the time I was told to discontinue giving antibiotics I still had a fair amount left (kept refrigerated). I have started giving him the antibiotics along with the pain medication.
I can't see how it could make things worse and maybe it will help.
He fell off his perch twice yesterday. I just gave him his 2nd dose of pain med and 1st one of the antibiotics.
His movements look uncoordinated and spasmodic.
I tried to record some video of him trying to walk on bottom of cage but when I have the cam on him he just sits there.
he is sleeping on his perch next to his food/water right now.

Saying a Birdie prayer that Plumas makes a recovery. Your care and love are so evident here.

Even with all this, Plumas is one of the lucky ones, to be loved and treasured and helped by somebody like you. I bet you know that 'plumas' is Spanish for 'feathers', which I think is a precious name for a precious bird. Hugs and good luck to you both.

Plumas is indeed a special bird: http://www.parrotforums.com/incredible-journeys-bird-stories-bird-lovers/65545-plumas-story.html

Antibiotics can give birds upset digestion or diarrhea and that can cause dehydration. Some of them can also damage the liver. I have read a lot of references to using " aloe detox" in their water and food to help protect the liver, but I don't have any experience with it. It's not toxic and shouldn't do any harm. Oh, I hope Plumas improves!

GaleriaGila said:

Even with all this, Plumas is one of the lucky ones, to be loved and treasured and helped by somebody like you. I bet you know that 'plumas' is Spanish for 'feathers', which I think is a precious name for a precious bird. Hugs and good luck to you both.

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My wife is from South America so that was why we named he Plumas.