Importance of testing - go with your gut

Hi all,

I just wanted to share what we've been going thru recently maybe it will help someone else & remind everyone how important vet care/testing is. Can't fight what you don't know.

When I got Gracie I took her to an avian vet to have a full work up done as I thought/think it's very important to establish baselines and maintain good medical care for our pets. Since she hadn't had good care, bad husbandry, bad diet etc. the doctor felt certain that the blood work would show liver and/or kidney damage. She was also seriously underweight with a very low muscle index.

When the doctor called & said all of the tests came back totally normal to her shock & amazement no problems whatsoever I should have been over the moon...

She advised me to continue doing what I was doing, basically keep working to overcome a lifetime of neglect, bad diet & bad habits. We scheduled a visit for 4 weeks to check her progress.

Yippee?... instead of relieved I spent the next few days with a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach that something was wrong regardless of the results.

Gracie has weird quirks she acts very thirsty but won't drink out of a bowl, acts hungry (makes baby type of sounds) but is extremely "picky" and tosses almost everything except carrots, corn, eggs, nuts aside (birdie bread gets the evil eye and tossed with a foot - unworthy of a beak toss), seemed frustrated to me. Positions herself weird when she is about to go potty & goes a lot. I think she over preens (no feather damage), scratches neck/head a lot. Her droppings are "off" & change consistency constantly even when eating same foods etc. etc. etc.

But the test all said healthy, no outward signs of any illness, she was gaining weight & strength and every symptom could be explained by new home, new diet, adjustments, changes or just "typical African Grey" behaviors.

Made another appointment - 3 weeks earlier than expected. Needless to say the doc expressed her surprise & confusion since nothing indicated a problem. She looked better, gained weight - nothing to be concerned about.

I explained that I just know something isn't right (went over list of behaviors). She suggested that they keep Gracie for the day to observe her away from me and see if she behaves differently. I was most likely just experiencing the joys of an over-bonded, picky, quirky, pouting, controlling African Grey that has had a bad history & is going thru adjustments.

She would also rerun the fecal tests using a different method, take X-rays, barium etc. to put my concerns at ease and at the least it would establish more baselines for any further issues.

When I went to pick up Gracie I could tell by the doctors demeanor that she was about to break my heart. No obstructions, all other tests negative again however, X-Rays showed a massive infection, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and an abnormality in her reproductive/renal area (will need to do further testing after infection clears). No arthritis (at least she has something going for her).

Nothing in any of the other tests showed any indication of these problems. The vet did consult with other avian vets since the test results were so contradictory.

Gracie is taking her meds like a trooper. Her eating habits have definitely improved (she's even tried pellets), gaining weight & her droppings are looking more normal/consistent. Not overly preening/scratching anymore.

The first step is clearing the infection. I am of course adjusting her diet to take her heart disease into account. I understand there isn't any reversing the damage already done but I can make her remaining time happy & healthy.

The vet also recommended a Suprelorin implant. Her concern throwing blood clots, strokes, seizures etc. if she were to become overly hormonal. The alternative (which I rejected) was to limit our contact & hope she doesn't become hormonal anyway.
No way will I put her back into a cage to live what life she has left as miserably as she did before (she goes to work with me daily, hangs out at home at night / weekends with the whole fam etc.)

I am sorry this is so long but I felt it was important to share & remind everyone that no one knows your feathered family better than you (plus I talk err type a lot ). Maybe it isn't always typical "insert parrot type" behaviors.

Great write up. Grace sure is lucky to have you !

I'm going through something similar right now, still don't know for sure what's going on, but back you 100% - trust your gut!

I hope Gracie accepts more and more of the healthy things you give and continues to improve and thrive in your care.

We can't undo the past, but do know you have found these things before Gracie is showing the big signs of being sick. She is also in a loving home with someone who knows how to take great care of her. That is much more than many captive parrots get! No matter how long your time together, I know it will be cherished by you both.

Christinenc2000 said:

Great write up. Grace sure is lucky to have you !

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Actually I think it's the other way around. She definitely reminds or rather depends I slow down & play (granted I am technically suppose to be working but the boss adores her so it's all good) and she surely has me eating better since someone hasta eat all the rejected veggies, fruits, grains etc. lol
The dog can have those nasty pellets tho.

Who can be stressed or have high blood pressure when you have a grey cuddled up on you and falls asleep while getting head scritches?

And her antics as so hysterical even my 2 older teens prefer to interact with her rather than fight with each other -now that's a miracle right there!

Piasa said:

I'm going through something similar right now, still don't know for sure what's going on, but back you 100% - trust your gut!

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Thanks & right backatcha! I hear you loud & clear.. it's so frustrating, I completely understand where you're at. I don't know everything going on with Gracie yet just gonna take one thing at a time.

It's a horrible, helpless feeling when you don't know but you are doing everything you can just keep providing the wonder care and love you are.

I really hope you get some answers until then just keep doing the everything you can!

This gave me massive goosebumps!

KUDOS to you for your diligence and eagle eye!

Wishing you a VERY long life together! :heart:

JerseyWendy said:

This gave me massive goosebumps!

KUDOS to you for your diligence and eagle eye!

Wishing you a VERY long life together! :heart:

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Thanks. I'm still trying to come to terms with it... I won't lie I'm trying sooo hard to not focus on how long that realistically is going to be and what all of this means for her future but wow it's really hard (major pity party over here). I tried to get an idea from the vet but she said it's really impossible to determine. So I asked the next logical question what I'll need to be watching for as signs her condition is deteriorating unfortunately that she could answer: strokes, seizures, blood clots, paralyzes, heart attack etc. to say I was horrified is an understatement. I was thinking more a long the lines of tired, irritable, less vocal, dull feathers, decreased appetite etc. Knowing what's a head is quite terrifying.

I guess I've been sheltered I've always taken care of my animals, good food, good vet care etc. & I've never dealt with a terminal illness or lost a pet in a suffering manner. Geez my cat at home is 17 & doesn't have a health issue in the world. My other kitty went quietly in his sleep at the age of 19 from plain old age.

I know I have to put it to the back of my mind so it doesn't affect the here & now but it's still raw. It's like most of her life has been robbed from her just because no one could bother providing her the proper care, heck forget care couldn't even bother with basic food & clean water.

She is such a good girl in spite of everything she's endured.

Well done on following your gut and getting answers that can help Gracie live a better life. I hope you and Gracie have many long happy years to share together yet for a long long time to come

Don't fear the worst. While she might not have the quantity of years you'd like her to have, she'll have the quality. You can give her the best life possible and who knows? She very well might live a long and healthy life, regardless of her health issues.

I'm so sorry your nagging gut feeling was right.

I understand your sadness. My husband had unexpected heart issues recently where they discovered a 4" calcification in one of the arteries at his heart. He had to have surgery and it was terrifying for us. He is now on meds for life and it means a drastic change in our outlook. He had perfect blood pressure and a good diet, his first stress test was perfectly fine and so was his bloodwork. He had a nagging feeling so they did a nuclear stress test and they basically said he would be lucky to live a few more MONTHS.

I know birds and humans are different, but arthrosclerosis is not an immediate death sentence. Proper diet, exercise, the implant, and good sleep will ensure you maximize her quality and length of life. Even if the condition can't be reversed, there is no way to tell if this will shorten her life by 5 or 25 years. My advice is to focus on today, enjoy every moment you have together.

The one principle that was reinforced for me with Rob having his heart problems, is to appreciate and not take for granted every day we have together. My injury really changed my outlook already but facing the potential of losing him really solidified this life rule for me. Also try not to focus on what's wrong and what you can't control.

You CAN control diet, exercise, enrichment, activities, and sleep. All of these things are going to greatly improve her quality and length of life, versus had things never changed. You are giving her the best chance at life possible, and as hard as it is not to focus on this diagnosis, focusing on the things you can control should help keep you on the right path. And just because arthrosclerosis has shortened the lives of others, doesn't mean it definitely will. Many birds go on to live long and happy lives filled with love.

I'm sorry to hear about Gracie's health issues. But good to get an accurate diagnosis to know where the focus needs to be now. You are both very lucky to have each other. I wish all the best.