Need some help with my Quaker

Quaker91

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Aug 21, 2015
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Hi guys, I need some help with something I noticed yesterday. I've got a 16 year old Quaker who's usually very active and energetic. However yesterday I noticed that she seemed very weak, she could fly but she wouldn't fly very far and while she was with me she didn't move around much. She sat on the corner of my desk or on my shoulder and ruffled up her feathers and just took little naps. She's still very vocal if you talk to her and she seems to be eating and drinking just fine. Another thing is she seems to be having some trouble balancing on my finger, she's never had that issue before.

Regardless I decided a visit to the vet was probably a good idea. He checked her and we noticed that she had been biting at her right foot and it had scabs on it and her feet were very warm as well. I went there because I was thinking maybe it's an infection but he felt that she had a head injury which is why she was acting this way. I informed him that she had flown into a mirror two days prior to this. There were no blood tests or anything done, just a visual exam. He gave me Pediapred to give to her but I just looked it up and it says that this stuff suppresses the immune system. I'm a little bit scared to give it to her now because if she actually does have an infection then this would just make it worse. Have any of you guys experienced anything like this? She does seem to be a little more active today though so I guess that's a good sign.

Edit: I should also add that last night I saw her sleeping on her perch with her right foot up and she doesn't seem to like putting much pressure on that foot.
 
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Kyoto

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Mar 18, 2015
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Halifax, NS, Canada
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Kyoto (AKA Kyo)-Green Cheek Conure
Charlie - Canary
Tommy - Budgie
Sunny - budgie
I would get a second opinion from another vet, if possible. I am lucky to have a certified avian vet as well as a few other vets that will see birds around me though.
 
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Quaker91

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Aug 21, 2015
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Thank you, I plan on taking her to another vet tomorrow. She does seem to be feeling better and is more active today so I'm going to give her another day or so to see if she continues to improve. I noticed shes still not putting much weight on that right foot and her leg is starting to look red to me as well. If it doesn't look any better by tomorrow morning I'm going to take her somewhere.
 

Allee

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Oct 27, 2013
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U2-Poppy(Poppy lives with her new mommy, Misty now) CAG-Jack, YNA, Bingo, Budgie-Piper, Cockatiel-Sweet Pea Quakers-Harry, Sammy, Wilson ***Zeke (quaker) Twinkle (budgie) forever in our hearts
I hope your little one continues to improve. I would take her to a different vet, preferably an avian certified vet that sees lots of birds. If her balance problem hasn't improved, you may want to lower a couple of comfortable perches for her and remove any pedi perches, if you haven't already. Please keep us updated.
 
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Quaker91

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The first vet actually was an avian certified vet but I'm not too satisfied with the examination that was done. Unfortunately I was pretty busy today and wasn't able to take her but I also noticed this morning that she has improved a lot since so I figured it'd be okay to give her some more time. She's flying and running around again which I'm happy about, but it still looks like there is some sensitivity in her leg. Regardless I will be taking her to a different vet on Monday, they're an hour away from me though so I'll have to book an appointment for it tomorrow. I'll keep the thread updated on any news or progress. Thanks .
 
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Quaker91

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Unfortunately after showing signs of improvement, then more swelling in her legs, and visiting a few more vets, she has been diagnosed with gout. I will be putting her on a low protein diet and an allopurinol prescription and hope for the best. We are also currently giving her metacam for the pain. Has anyone had any experience with a bird that had gout?
 

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