ROBIN DIAGNOSED WITH CHRONIC LEAD TOXICOSIS! (Long post)

FIRST, I wanted to let everyone know that Robin is lucky and not in IMMEDIATE danger, and will get his first dose of chelation therapy tomorrow.
He has the long term chronic condition caused by low levels circulating in the blood over a period of years, not an acute poisoning which causes immediate death.

So where do I start. This was such a big surprise to me. Robin, my male Red Bellied parrot is my most beloved, bonded, soulmate of a pet to me than any pet has EVER been. I've had Robin since he was a 3 month old weaned juvenile. That was nearly 20 years ago. He turns 20 on July 31st.

For the past several years, I would take Robin to the vet for his annual wellness exam. Since he's getting older, I wanted to monitor things a bit closer nowdays. The bloodwork on his check ups long term over the years have always been within perfect range (despite eating mostly Harrison's).
However.... I noticed he would VOMIT ONCE A YEAR for the past few years, Robin would only do it for a day or so. I'd be concerned, then it would resolve, never to come back for another year or longer.

I also noticed that while he would play, and talk, and hold a good appetite and weight, and would act "normally", he would also TAKE MORE SHORT NAPS during the day. This has been going on for YEARS, and since he was eating and happy and holding weight, I passed it off as just one of the signs of 'getting older'.

THEN, not too long ago.... Robin vomited AND was having diarrhea AND/OR polyuria (increased urine portion of droppings). That was it. Although his vet visit 6 months prior was great, I took him in to get another work up... He was still acting happy, but this time I knew something had to be wrong.

My regular vet was out of town (Murphy's Law), so I saw his associate who is mostly a dog and cat vet. She took blood... The results were the start of KIDNEY DAMAGE. What??!! His kidney values were fine 6 months ago! Remember, the lead toxicosis (which I'm getting to) has been present for years, but just now getting to the point it's showing on tests, and a little more symptoms. THIS vet was only about one step ahead of me looking info up on a textbook (one of the assistants led on). She (the vet) prescribed a special rx kidney diet (Roudybush AK). Robin's outward GI symptoms resolved within a couple days of eating it.

I kept reading articles on this, and the question always came to mind WHAT IS CAUSING the kidney damage? It is NOT diet related. My experience shows me that while Robin doesn't like to eat a ton of fresh foods, his kidney damage and symptoms are suspiciously from something else.... and PDD tests came back negative.

Since I live fairly near a well known exclusive avian specialist, I decided to take Robin for a second opinion. BINGO. I knew this vet would know exactly what to do. An x-ray showed METAL FRAGMENTS in his gizzard!! He sent blood for analysis (I'm sure he knew at that point from the symptoms plus x-ray) but of course any good vet won't say anything until lab results are in. The lab results showed definite LEAD toxicosis. Low level enough it wasn't fatal thank God, but giving off these "classic" vague symptoms of chronic (long-term) heavy metal poisoning.
I was so shocked, as all of Robin's life, I have watched him closely so that he was never getting into household objects. I've tried to buy safe toys... The metal pieces are round. I wonder if they are the little metal 'doughnuts' around the shoe laces on mini-shoe bird toys? I don't know.

I am SO thankful I took Robin for a second opinion with a specialist!! He says that LONG TERM HEAVY METAL TOXICOSIS IS THE MOST UNDER DIAGNOSED MEDICAL PROBLEM IN OUR PET BIRDS!!!

** side note - Robin is NOT a plucker, BUT... Metal toxicity is an extremely COMMON REASON for Cockatoos, and others to pluck!!! People tend to look at behavioral or diet first, and many vets don't even think of toxicosis as a possible reason. If in doubt, please get your precious babies checked!

Oh, Julie, I am so glad that you know Robin so well, and realized something was wrong!
I know how well you take care of your fids, and this is terrifying that this has happened. Thank goodness it was discovered now! What is Robin's prognosis after he starts the treatments?

We do so much to enrich their lives, and it is so scary to think that something we gave them with love could have had harmful effects. Is there any way you can find out exactly what it was that caused this?

Sending hugs and prayers out to you and Robin

So glad you were able to find out the cause to Robin's odd behavior!


And you're right! Many plucking problems are medical related, even if people don't realize it! the gal I adopted Jayde from has a plucking green cheek conure. Well, this conure started to pay more attention to her leg so the gal took her in and got an x-ray done. Turns out, her little plucking greenie had a hairline fracture in her leg! (this is an older bird, rehome, has health issues so not only is she getting a good diet, but lots of meds and supplements, too, to keep her healthy!)

Oh no!! I'm SO glad you were able to get this figured out. This just goes to show that if you feel like you just *know* something is up, better get it tested! You know Robin better than anyone else, and because of that you were able to act on it as soon as minor symptoms popped up.
Wishing you the best.

Wow how scary to be so careful and yet not know what it might have been that caused this, toys are such a necessary evil, I always look them over for potential dangers but you just never know! I have also gotten those little tennis shoe toys, the first ones I ordered didn't have the little metal grommet the second ones I ordered did. I decided I wouldn't order them again unless I was sure they were without metal.

I am so happy to hear that your top notch care and observation led you to look further into the symptoms and that this can be treated. Hugs to you and Robin!

Radiographs should always be part of the wellness exam for avians. If your vet doesn't do it then suggest you'd like to have one. Long ago I attended a seminar that stressed how this simple procedure is often overlooked. I also did a rotation at a zoo where they radographed a sick chimp and she had several coins in her stomach! So you never know!

Sending healing thoughts your way!

I'll be honest, if I had been in your position I probably would have shrugged my shoulders and went on my way thinking everything was fine and then been devastated when my bird died. I'm so glad you were proactive and took the extra step.

Sorry to hear this but really pleased that you found out the cause.

We just know when something's not right, don't we? I hope Robin gets all the treatment he needs. I think I'll research this more, as a "maybe" to the cause of my Ri's ongoing polyuria (still can't find a reason).

Sending best wishes to you and Robin.

also sorry to hear, but at the same time, it was a blessing in disguise! Glad he is getting the help he needs!

TessieB said:

Radiographs should always be part of the wellness exam for avians. If your vet doesn't do it then suggest you'd like to have one. Long ago I attended a seminar that stressed how this simple procedure is often overlooked. I also did a rotation at a zoo where they radographed a sick chimp and she had several coins in her stomach! So you never know!

Sending healing thoughts your way!

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Thank you everyone for your well wishes!
This vet knows to do radiographs, and is said to be a real expert with it. My "regular" avian vet doesn't do x-rays until probably WAY after everything else has been done.
I'm taking Raven Tuesday to this exclusive specialist vet to get his nare/sinus damage problem looked at and taken care of once and for all too.

After this, my Care Credit AND credit cards will be maxed out! I am becoming overwhelmed financially after this is all over, which is causing much added stress to life!!!

Edit: Robin will most likely need surgery also to remove the pieces. That part alone is $2,500. The initial visit for Robin with the diagnostics was over $900. That's not including robin's treatment, and whatever is needed for Raven!

Julie, I am so sorry Robin is sick, but glad they have caught it and can treat it. What a little fighter Robin is I'm sure this is overwhelming emotionally and financially, but I'm sure you will make it through and Robin and Raven will be well again.

Julie, so glad that you found this out early and that there is treatment available. I am sending my best wishes and prayers to both you and Robin in this extremely tough time.

I'm glad you caught it early enough! Hope his treatments all go well

Ah, Julie. It grieves me to know that Robin is sick, but like others have said, I'm so glad to hear that it is treatable and that he didn't test positive for PDD. Your flock is so lucky to have you! If you hadn't acted when you did, Robin's prognosis might have looked quite different.

And as for the financial toll, I went through something quite similar several years back. My nephew's cat grew suddenly ill one night and, almost before I knew it, the veterinary bill had skyrocketed to over $3000! It wasn't money I could afford to toss around, but I did it anyway. We all loved the hell out of that feline! Now I make sure to advise any family member or friend with a dog or a cat that they NEED to get insurance!

But unfortunately, that isn't really an option for us in the avian community. So far as I've been able to glean, insurance options for us are severely limited. I even read an article that suggested that, in lieu of avian insurance, we should just put money away every month as though we were paying into a policy.

I've begun taking that advice, but that does not even begin to compare to the financial security of a good insurance policy.

I'm so sorry that you're going through this, my friend.

Anansi said:

Now I make sure to advise any family member or friend with a dog or a cat that they NEED to get insurance!

But unfortunately, that isn't really an option for us in the avian community. So far as I've been able to glean, insurance options for us are severely limited. I even read an article that suggested that, in lieu of avian insurance, we should just put money away every month as though we were paying into a policy.

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That's unfortunately true.
I've read what you mentioned(putting up a savings account/shoebox specifically for emergency vet visits) and someone also mentioned setting up a credit card to be used only for vet emergencies. Meaning, act like the only reason anyone would take it is because they're a vet, and your bird is ill. Otherwise, don't touch it! Hehe.
I, myself, am going to look into a credit card. I need to build credit anyways being a 'youngin' so it wouldn't hurt to buy $20-$50 of stuff on a credit card every month and just pay it off. Then I have it in case of emergencies, too.

Sorry to wander off topic. Please do keep us updated, Raven.

We spent close to 10,000 trying to save my horse Stilts a couple years ago talk about a financial hit! In the end we couldn't afford the surgery she needed and we didn't have her insured. We now have all the cats insured and my other horse Chip insured. I remember looking up avian insurance and could only find one thing and it was insanely expensive. We figured it would be cheaper to put money aside gradually then pay that much for so many birds!

Wow! Congratulations on having that sixth sense, Julie! I hope Robin begins to feel better very soon. Just imagine: he must've been feeling poorly for ages but didn't have the words to let you know. I'm SO glad you twigged that something was just not right and got him the help he needs. Sending healing thoughts to Robin (and to your poor pocket). XX

riddick07 said:

We spent close to 10,000 trying to save my horse Stilts a couple years ago talk about a financial hit! In the end we couldn't afford the surgery she needed and we didn't have her insured. We now have all the cats insured and my other horse Chip insured. I remember looking up avian insurance and could only find one thing and it was insanely expensive. We figured it would be cheaper to put money aside gradually then pay that much for so many birds!

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I'm sorry about your horse Victoria. If this cost even more than it is already, I won't be able to pay for surgery either. When all is done with Robin, I'm estimating I'll be about $4,000 deeper in debt :17: just when I was FINALLY catching up a little more. Now look.
The $4,000 or so will be just for Robin alone... Let alone what Raven is going to cost for his sinus damage issue that has been ever since I got him. I'm sure another $900 for the initial visit then thereafter I hate to think. So depressing. Ugh, I have good credit NOW, but it's gonna go down. I hope the consequences aren't TOO bad.

If I didn't have my deposit already on my new baby coming since last year, before his parents were even mating (!) I wouldn't have said yes to get him, had I known what a financial nightmare I was going to be facing.

THIS 'SPECIALIST VET' costs significantly more than my regular avian vet. Way WAY more actually. He's the only one I trust for beyond the basics.

As far as "setting money aside specifically for vet care"... As much as these things are costing me in credit card debt, how much was I supposed to have set aside to be safe?! Not even talking about "savings" but VET CARE savings. Upwards of $10,000 maybe?! It's just crazy!!

I am so sorry you are going through this but so glad you have an excellent vet. I wish you and Robin the very best.

thekarens said:

I'll be honest, if I had been in your position I probably would have shrugged my shoulders and went on my way thinking everything was fine and then been devastated when my bird died. I'm so glad you were proactive and took the extra step.

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Betrisher said:

Wow! Congratulations on having that sixth sense, Julie!

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Well to be honest, for the several years that he's evidently had this, I didn't think much of his vague symptoms, and I might not have looked so closely...

BUT, since I'm getting my Ruppell's within the month (?) AND where I'm moving to, the birds will all be in a room together. THAT is really what made me look so closely at Robin's very slight behavior change, poop, vomiting every now and then for no reason... I used to just assume it was normal, until it got worse in the past several weeks.

I wanted to make sure that Robin (who at one time was exposed to a PDD bird who died) was not only healthy for his own sake, but also safe to be around a baby (and my others). When I started seeing more symptoms I had no choice.