Hi
I just found out that my rescue B&G Macaw has significant heart disease. I had noticed a gradual decrease in his “spunk”, for lack of a better word, over the past month or two. He wasn’t climbing around as much and I noticed he didn’t really do his regular macaw lunge at some of the family. He also dropped some weight, which was ok, but I noticed it come off without too much trouble.
A trip to our Avian vet with a 3 night stay and a whole bunch of tests revealed an increase in yeast growth in his poops, a translucent appearance to his air sacs and lots and lots of plaques in his arteries.
He is only 2 years with me and we are not sure of his age at all. The vet is thinking maybe about 30 now that she sees his heart etc.
I am feeling awful. I have been feeding him well, I thought, with daily veggie chop, pellets and some nuts etc. He also enjoys some of our food...usually whole wheat pasta, eggs and other tastes off our plates (we are mainly vegetarian). I feel like I have done this but my vet reassures me that this was all long term disease that started years ago.
He is on medication now and we have definitely seen an improvement in his demeanour. He is more active and seems to have some spunk back.
I am wondering if anyone has some other suggestions of things I can do to support him. Diet changes or additions?
Thanks
I just found out that my rescue B&G Macaw has significant heart disease. I had noticed a gradual decrease in his “spunk”, for lack of a better word, over the past month or two. He wasn’t climbing around as much and I noticed he didn’t really do his regular macaw lunge at some of the family. He also dropped some weight, which was ok, but I noticed it come off without too much trouble.
A trip to our Avian vet with a 3 night stay and a whole bunch of tests revealed an increase in yeast growth in his poops, a translucent appearance to his air sacs and lots and lots of plaques in his arteries.
He is only 2 years with me and we are not sure of his age at all. The vet is thinking maybe about 30 now that she sees his heart etc.
I am feeling awful. I have been feeding him well, I thought, with daily veggie chop, pellets and some nuts etc. He also enjoys some of our food...usually whole wheat pasta, eggs and other tastes off our plates (we are mainly vegetarian). I feel like I have done this but my vet reassures me that this was all long term disease that started years ago.
He is on medication now and we have definitely seen an improvement in his demeanour. He is more active and seems to have some spunk back.
I am wondering if anyone has some other suggestions of things I can do to support him. Diet changes or additions?
Thanks