change in vocalization after xray/barium feeding tube

emel · Feb 15, 2016

Brought my tiel Zoey :yellow1:

back from the vet on Friday. They inserted a feeding tube with barium and gave her xrays (and restrained her for them). Now her voice is really different, noticed it while I was in the waiting area at the vet - instead of her normal sharp whistles, they're short-soft "peeps". And she's far less vocal then she's ever been in the 4+ years I've had her.

I've got a vet appointment tomorrow to bring her back but has anyone else had similar things happen to their bird(s)? if so, did the vocalizations come back? any other thoughts?

plumsmum2005 · Feb 16, 2016

Ah poor Zoey she's been through a lot. I don't know but does she seem a bit shocked? Give her lots of love and see what happens.

emel · Feb 16, 2016

She's actually active, I wouldn't say she seems shocked.

KrisandPenelope · Feb 16, 2016

Maybe her throat is sore? I would definitely mention it to the vet, but it could possibly be that inserting the tube even done as smoothly as possible is going to cause some minor throat discomfort. So maybe Zoey only performing minor vocalizations while her throat heals? Hoping for a full recovery!

emel · Feb 16, 2016

also, I found myself reading everything I could prior to my vet visit, found this article, looks like there was an experiment on finches that tells me that it took at least 4 weeks for any improvement/healing of the damaged vocal nerve. Not apples to apples, but it gave me some insight into recovery time, assuming that's all that is needed. A Novel Model for Examining Recovery of Phonation after Vocal Nerve Damage

emel · Feb 16, 2016

KrisandPenelope said:
Maybe her throat is sore? I would definitely mention it to the vet, but it could possibly be that inserting the tube even done as smoothly as possible is going to cause some minor throat discomfort. So maybe Zoey only performing minor vocalizations while her throat heals? Hoping for a full recovery!

Thanks. Yeah, I'm definitely telling the vet.

Taw5106 · Feb 16, 2016

Give her some time. If they inserted a tube, it will irritate the throat and takes a few days to recover. It's a bit sore due to the insertion. If there is no improvement 5 - 7 days after her procedure, take her back for a check up for sure.

emel · Feb 16, 2016

Well, the vet prescribed anti-inflammatory meds for the next 5-7 days and hopes to see improvement by the weekend. Hopefully that helps her!

emel · Feb 18, 2016

So, I got home from work today and Zoey died while I wasn't home. I'm guessing her vocalizations were part of a much larger issue that wasn't expressly diagnosed - I'd brought her to the vet twice this week. The vet said she had an enlarged liver but thought it was early enough that it was treatable.

I just figured I'd post this since I started this thread. Thanks for all the kind words.
Here's the last picture I took of Zoey while we were at the vet a couple days ago. She was pretty disheveled from being wrapped in a towel by the vet, so she was preening on my shoulder.

Taw5106 · Feb 18, 2016

I am so sorry to read this. I hope you are doing OK with this development. Liver disease and liver ailments are so hard. I had a schnauzer and after five years of battle with her liver, I made the decision to let her go. Right now I've been treating my Ekkie for the last year for a recurring respiratory issue and they are talking surgery which I'm on the fence about. However back to you, I had a cockatiel for 12 years, they are so amazing. The liver is so hard as far as treatments but I'm glad Zoey had you. Prayers and hugs to you and your family.

emel · Feb 18, 2016

Thanks for the kind words

I've been pretty devastated about it tonight.

I feel bad about only joining the online bird community (here and on reddit) this week just to ask questions. I had Zoey for probably 5 years - got her from a family that couldn't care for her anymore, so she was probably close to 10 years old but I'm not 100% certain.

I'm completely beside myself that I wasn't home when she died, but I'm happy that I spent good time with her this week despite the that.

plumsmum2005 · Feb 19, 2016

So sorry for your loss, its incredibly hard losing a fid I'm sure that everyone on here will join me and send you a big hug. Thank you for sharing your last pic of your gorgeous girl.

Really don't feel bad and please stay? Don't beat yourself up, honestly, you did really well - the best you could for her.

Flboy · Feb 19, 2016

I am so sorry, it really sucks!

emel · Feb 21, 2016

Thanks everyone.

change in vocalization after xray/barium feeding tube

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