Serious respiratory distress!

CutiePi

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I posted yesterday in my search as rich for nebulizer info, but am posting more generally for any info/support out there. Gertie, my 22 yo Jardine's has had a respiratory infection for the past month. She's been in and out of the hospital, treated there and at home with antibacterial and antifungal agents (including 2x/day nebulization at the hospital; I'm about to buy one for home use), as her vet hasn't yet been able to make a definitive diagnosis. Of course, now it's Sunday and she's worse! She's still eating and her poop is normal, but she's gasping, breathing through her mouth, coughing, sneezing, and intermittently agitated with head-shaking and a lot of scratching. She has an appointment tomorrow at the vet. Meanwhile, I called our local 24 hour emergency vet center (Angell Memorial for anyone in the Boston area). No avian vets available today, though they could do phone consult with one. I'm torn, as they haven't always been good with dogs or cats, let alone entrusting them with an animal for which they don't right now have the hands-on expertise. On the other hand, they could probably give her oxygen. I've twice today brought her into our small bathroom and steamed up the room from the shower (didn't go into the shower with her) and that seemed to help, wondering if another stopgap might be to use a warm mist vaporizer near her cage. Any and all thoughts gratefully appreciated! I'm so scared we might lose her! We've been through 2 other life-threatening crises with her before, and she's pulled through, though she was a lot younger.
Thanks for listening!
Judy
 

wrench13

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Sorry to read this, hope that Gertie is better tomorrow. A mist vaporizer would be like steaming In a bathroom, but did the vet suggest the steamy bathroom ?
 
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CutiePi

CutiePi

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Thanks for your response. He did suggest the steamy bathroom. I set up a small vaporizer in her room (actually our dining room). Don't know if it's helping. When I put her to bed hours ago, she quieted down for awhile, but since then has been so agitated - almost constant, clucking-like sounds and lots of movement. It's pretty agonizing to listen to. Going to bed myself, can't wait to get her to the vet tomorrow. This is so hard!
 

Scott

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RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
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CutiePi

CutiePi

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Rushed Gertie to emergency vet center today, but she didn't make it, and died on the way. I just got back after spending a long time with her there, talked with very helpful social worker. I asked them to do an autopsy, so maybe I'll know something. Her avian vets were excellent, btw, but her breathing was so compromised that they couldn't put her through the stress of more blood work beyond the initial diagnosis of a bacterial infection, much less do an xray for possible tumor(s) under anesthesia. I'm just devastated and heartbroken. I know it's going to take time just to absorb this. She was such a sweetheart! She was my comfort and my joy, and my morning alarm clock. I can't continue right now. Think I'll also check the bereavement forum. Thanks to everyone. Hold your loved ones close. We never know how long they'll be with us.
Judy
 

texsize

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I am so sorry for your loss. I know there are no words to help.
Will keep you both in our prayers.
 

Scott

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RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
I am so sorry for your loss of Gertie. You are among friends, many of whom know too well the devastating loss of a beloved companion.
 

wrench13

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Oh I am very sorry to read this. I am sure you did all you could for Gertie.
I've made a donation in Gertie's name to the Cornell University vet program, directed to be used for parrot related studies and programs. I feel your pain, having lost a parrot once.
 

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