I think Gus is hurting, can he be helped?

Kentuckienne · Oct 10, 2016

So ever since Gus (Blue and Gold McCaw) came home with us on Saturday, I've been watching him pretty closely and reading up on kyphosis / metabolic bone disease. He has an enormous hump on his spine. He leans to one side sometimes, slightly, sometimes seems to move very gingerly. He's not very active, and he's very quiet. I thought this was due to being in a new environment, but the more I read about MBD the worse I feel. In humans this condition is reported to be extremely painful. His spine is so deformed he can't preen the feathers on his back. The more I read and reflect, the more I think he must be experiencing considerable pain, at least when he moves. He will go to the vet soon for a checkup and beak/nail trim and go over his condition with the vet - he was being treated by our vet, as it turns out. I will ask him whether he thinks Gus is suffering and what treatments we could offer him. Heated perch? Parrot Celebrex? If you have any experience helping a parrot with a painful condition, what helped? Any advice at all? This poor bird... :blue1:

SailBoat · Oct 10, 2016

Kentuckienne said:
So ever since Gus (Blue and Gold McCaw) came home with us on Saturday, I've been watching him pretty closely and reading up on kyphosis / metabolic bone disease. He has an enormous hump on his spine. He leans to one side sometimes, slightly, sometimes seems to move very gingerly. He's not very active, and he's very quiet. I thought this was due to being in a new environment, but the more I read about MBD the worse I feel. In humans this condition is reported to be extremely painful. His spine is so deformed he can't preen the feathers on his back. The more I read and reflect, the more I think he must be experiencing considerable pain, at least when he moves. He will go to the vet soon for a checkup and beak/nail trim and go over his condition with the vet - he was being treated by our vet, as it turns out. I will ask him whether he thinks Gus is suffering and what treatments we could offer him. Heated perch? Parrot Celebrex? If you have any experience helping a parrot with a painful condition, what helped? Any advice at all? This poor bird...

Welcome to the Parrot Forums!

First, thank-you for bring this MAC into your lives! And, for already having found his Avian Vet.

There are many possibilities as to what your MAC is suffering from and at this point it would be better to push hard to get into see the Avian Vet like tomorrow. With the number of possible issues he could be suffering from, it would be better not to apply heat /cool treatments. What you are listing could very possible indicate that he is hurting. Once again, your efforts are best served by pushing to get him to his Vet tomorrow!

Kentuckienne · Oct 10, 2016

He's been seen as recently as June by Dr. Vaughn - when he arrived at the rescue, he was suffering from an infection which has since been cured. The problem he has now is chronic in nature - his bones have been deformed for a long time, maybe for his entire life. His behavior isn't different than it was at the rescue, so it isn't likely to be a new condition. The vet thought it would be good to let him acclimate here for a little while - maybe even a couple of weeks - to reduce the stress of taking him in. Believe me, I have seen from experience how well a parrot can conceal illness. Dr. Vaughn says they will be eating fine, sitting on the perch chirping and yakking away, then you wake up and find them dead on the bottom of the cage. I have a very telling video of Oliver falling asleep in the middle of a loud bell-ringing session, and he died two days later. Since Gus's actions are consistent with his kyphosis - probably pressure on nerves and internal organs - I'm inclined to wait the few days before taking him in. I'm hoping to collect a few options to run by the vet, rather than try anything on my own. Thank you very much for the advice, though. It's really not a matter of convenience or money - it's about making things as easy on Gus as possible.

SailBoat · Oct 10, 2016

Kentuckienne said:
He's been seen as recently as June by Dr. Vaughn - when he arrived at the rescue, he was suffering from an infection which has since been cured. The problem he has now is chronic in nature - his bones have been deformed for a long time, maybe for his entire life. His behavior isn't different than it was at the rescue, so it isn't likely to be a new condition. The vet thought it would be good to let him acclimate here for a little while - maybe even a couple of weeks - to reduce the stress of taking him in. Believe me, I have seen from experience how well a parrot can conceal illness. Dr. Vaughn says they will be eating fine, sitting on the perch chirping and yakking away, then you wake up and find them dead on the bottom of the cage. I have a very telling video of Oliver falling asleep in the middle of a loud bell-ringing session, and he died two days later. Since Gus's actions are consistent with his kyphosis - probably pressure on nerves and internal organs - I'm inclined to wait the few days before taking him in. I'm hoping to collect a few options to run by the vet, rather than try anything on my own. Thank you very much for the advice, though. It's really not a matter of convenience or money - it's about making things as easy on Gus as possible.

The additional information was very helpful and I can see now why your time line is less pressing. At this point, one of the members who has or had a Parrot with this like of ailment will need to take it further.

However, I am surprised that Dr. Vaughn didn't recommend X-rays at the time Gus was first seen by him. Anyway, I hope the upcoming Visit is helpful!

wrench13 · Oct 10, 2016

Poor Gus, he is so handsome in his pic, I hope that between you and his vet you can make him as comfortable as possible. What a good home he has landed in.

Allee · Oct 10, 2016

Thank you for sharing Gus's story and thank you so much for making him a part of your family. I hope the vet can help with pain management. He's a very handsome boy!

Kentuckienne · Oct 10, 2016

Dr. Vaughn did X-ray him, I just haven't seen the films. His rescuer is going to call to have his medical records transferred to us. Will know more soon.

BeatriceC · Oct 10, 2016

Pain management can make such a huge difference. We gave my elderly cockatiel daily injections the last few weeks of his life and it made such an amazing difference in his quality of life.

Piasa · Oct 10, 2016

Omega-3 supplements (or foods) are supposed to help with bone density issues, among other things. Dr. Echols worked with Usana to make a special supplement for birds called OptOmega. Last I heard, they are no longer making it, but there may still be some available through your vet. I was able to get some in August.

Also, Gabapentin (sp) has been used in birds for nerve pain. My pionus was injured and had nerve pain, I talked with our vet about it as a possible treatment but laser therapy/antibiotic ended up helping enough that we never did it. But I know it's an option.

Hope you and your doctor can come up with a good plan for Gus.

I think Gus is hurting, can he be helped?

Kentuckienne

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