Help Save My Grandmother's Conure

[cockatielFriend]

My grandmother owns a 20 year old green cheek conure that recently started vomiting non-stop. I took her to the vet and left her their for 3 days in which she recuperated quite a bit. She lost 10 grams when i initially took her in, she has since gained it all back. I was given an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory to give her twice a day. Even with her improvements she still throws up a little daily and now her stool is turning dark brown. A few months ago I noticed seed in her dropping and assumed that she had proventricular dilatation disease (PDD). I had her tested and she came back negative. Her organs and blood work seem to be 100% normal, even on the healthy side for her age. The vets seems perplexed by her issues and can't really come to an understanding on what's wrong with her. I'd love to hear from you guys. What does it sound like is causing these ailments. What steps can I take to help figure out how to treat this bird. My grandmother who is 97 absolutely adores this bird, and I really do not want her to lose her pet.

Her Symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Seed in her stool
- muscle wasting
- Seizures (history of these, but hasn't had an episode in a few months)

 

[noodles123]

So sorry you are going through this and thank you for caring.

If your vet is not an avian certified vet, I would strongly suggest that you try to find one. An exotics vet that sees parrots is not the same as one with true avian certification.

My guess: PDD.
A normal blood test won't detect it--- it is a special panel that must be run separately and may involve swabs, x-rays and biopsies. Also-- FALSE NEGATIVES CAN AND DO OCCUR and up until very recently, there wasn't a test for it (other than post-mortem).
That is what is sounds like it could be--I am not a vet, but it's neurological and leads to seed in poop. It is also horribly contagious (but thankfully, does not live on surfaces for years like some avian viruses) BUT you should not bring any other birds into the home for now and any you do already have should be strictly quarantined. Similarly, if you contact her bird and then other birds, you should be changing clothes etc before contacting them (and all birds who have been around this one should be considered at risk, even if they show no symptoms). Like I said, it is very contagious---the silver lining is that it won't last for years like some in carpets/H-VAC system. Birds can carry and transmit ABV for a lifetime with no symptoms, but if their immune system is weakened due to stress, age etc, it sometimes progresses to PDD. You want to avoid spreading either, as the ultimate result of ABV is PDD (if it progresses).

As you know, if it is PDD, it is degenerative. PDD stands for Proventricular Dilation Disease and is sometimes called "Macaw Wasting disease" (I may have spelled that wrong, but Google will correct it if I did)

ABV (Avian Borna Virus) is generally though to be the precursor to PDD--sort of like HIV and AIDS. An ABV positive bird can live for a long time and pass it around with no symptoms, but if it progresses to PDD it is worse for the bird. There is a lot that is still unknown about this virus because it is pretty new in comparison to some parrot illnesses.

I typed all of that from what I have learned over the years, but I wanted to confirm it and the following link from VCA seems to do so...AGAIN, I am not certain, but that is what it sounds like:

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/proventricular-dilatation-in-birds

Here is another-- it mentions changing shoes and washing between bird areas: https://lafeber.com/vet/avian-bornavirus-primer/

Here is another link (please note-- you should never use bleach in a home around a parrot--- these cleaning methods would have to be conducted AWAY from all birds in the home):
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Macaw-Wasting-Disease <--also, please remember that (much like COVID-19) even a perfectly healthy bird can spread and shed the virus. Unlike Covid-19, this transmission can be indefinite (e.g., more than 50 years in some carrier cases). Boarding etc should be discouraged if a bird has been in contact with a suspected infection.

 

[cockatielFriend]

So sorry you are going through this and thank you for caring.

If your vet is not an avian certified vet, I would strongly suggest that you try to find one. An exotics vet that sees parrots is not the same as one with true avian certification.

My guess: PDD.
A normal blood test won't detect it--- it is a special panel that must be run separately and may involve swabs, x-rays and biopsies. Also-- FALSE NEGATIVES CAN AND DO OCCUR and up until very recently, there wasn't a test for it (other than post-mortem).
That is what is sounds like it could be--I am not a vet, but it's neurological and leads to seed in poop. It is also horribly contagious (but thankfully, does not live on surfaces for years like some avian viruses) BUT you should not bring any other birds into the home for now and any you do already have should be strictly quarantined. Similarly, if you contact her bird and then other birds, you should be changing clothes etc before contacting them (and all birds who have been around this one should be considered at risk, even if they show no symptoms). Like I said, it is very contagious---the silver lining is that it won't last for years like some in carpets/H-VAC system. Birds can carry and transmit ABV for a lifetime with no symptoms, but if their immune system is weakened due to stress, age etc, it sometimes progresses to PDD. You want to avoid spreading either, as the ultimate result of ABV is PDD (if it progresses).

As you know, if it is PDD, it is degenerative. PDD stands for Proventricular Dilation Disease and is sometimes called "Macaw Wasting disease" (I may have spelled that wrong, but Google will correct it if I did)

ABV (Avian Borna Virus) is generally though to be the precursor to PDD--sort of like HIV and AIDS. An ABV positive bird can live for a long time and pass it around with no symptoms, but if it progresses to PDD it is worse for the bird. There is a lot that is still unknown about this virus because it is pretty new in comparison to some parrot illnesses.

I typed all of that from what I have learned over the years, but I wanted to confirm it and the following link from VCA seems to do so...AGAIN, I am not certain, but that is what it sounds like:

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/proventricular-dilatation-in-birds

Here is another-- it mentions changing shoes and washing between bird areas: https://lafeber.com/vet/avian-bornavirus-primer/

Here is another link (please note-- you should never use bleach in a home around a parrot--- these cleaning methods would have to be conducted AWAY from all birds in the home):
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Macaw-Wasting-Disease <--also, please remember that (much like COVID-19) even a perfectly healthy bird can spread and shed the virus. Unlike Covid-19, this transmission can be indefinite (e.g., more than 50 years in some carrier cases). Boarding etc should be discouraged if a bird has been in contact with a suspected infection.

Thank you for your response. My vet is an avian specialist, and has a pretty good reputation with birds. I definitely agree that it does sound like PDD, however, He had her take the PDD exam and she came back negative. I suppose it could be a false negative though. Do you think it could be heavy metal poisoning? Another member on a different forum suggested looking into this.

 

[noodles123]

So sorry you are going through this and thank you for caring.

If your vet is not an avian certified vet, I would strongly suggest that you try to find one. An exotics vet that sees parrots is not the same as one with true avian certification.

My guess: PDD.
A normal blood test won't detect it--- it is a special panel that must be run separately and may involve swabs, x-rays and biopsies. Also-- FALSE NEGATIVES CAN AND DO OCCUR and up until very recently, there wasn't a test for it (other than post-mortem).
That is what is sounds like it could be--I am not a vet, but it's neurological and leads to seed in poop. It is also horribly contagious (but thankfully, does not live on surfaces for years like some avian viruses) BUT you should not bring any other birds into the home for now and any you do already have should be strictly quarantined. Similarly, if you contact her bird and then other birds, you should be changing clothes etc before contacting them (and all birds who have been around this one should be considered at risk, even if they show no symptoms). Like I said, it is very contagious---the silver lining is that it won't last for years like some in carpets/H-VAC system. Birds can carry and transmit ABV for a lifetime with no symptoms, but if their immune system is weakened due to stress, age etc, it sometimes progresses to PDD. You want to avoid spreading either, as the ultimate result of ABV is PDD (if it progresses).

As you know, if it is PDD, it is degenerative. PDD stands for Proventricular Dilation Disease and is sometimes called "Macaw Wasting disease" (I may have spelled that wrong, but Google will correct it if I did)

ABV (Avian Borna Virus) is generally though to be the precursor to PDD--sort of like HIV and AIDS. An ABV positive bird can live for a long time and pass it around with no symptoms, but if it progresses to PDD it is worse for the bird. There is a lot that is still unknown about this virus because it is pretty new in comparison to some parrot illnesses.

I typed all of that from what I have learned over the years, but I wanted to confirm it and the following link from VCA seems to do so...AGAIN, I am not certain, but that is what it sounds like:

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/proventricular-dilatation-in-birds

Here is another-- it mentions changing shoes and washing between bird areas: https://lafeber.com/vet/avian-bornavirus-primer/

Here is another link (please note-- you should never use bleach in a home around a parrot--- these cleaning methods would have to be conducted AWAY from all birds in the home):
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Macaw-Wasting-Disease <--also, please remember that (much like COVID-19) even a perfectly healthy bird can spread and shed the virus. Unlike Covid-19, this transmission can be indefinite (e.g., more than 50 years in some carrier cases). Boarding etc should be discouraged if a bird has been in contact with a suspected infection.

Thank you for your response. My vet is an avian specialist, and has a pretty good reputation with birds. I definitely agree that it does sound like PDD, however, He had her take the PDD exam and she came back negative. I suppose it could be a false negative though. Do you think it could be heavy metal poisoning? Another member on a different forum suggested looking into this.

I did wonder about that as well. Stainless is the safest thing for them..if his cage is flaking or even sketchy in general, that could have something to do with it (toys, jewelry, household stuff, lead paints etc). Did the vet mention a test or chelation therapy (I know a guy whose bird almost died due to playing with a toothbrush ---metal poisoning)

 

[cockatielFriend]

So sorry you are going through this and thank you for caring.

If your vet is not an avian certified vet, I would strongly suggest that you try to find one. An exotics vet that sees parrots is not the same as one with true avian certification.

My guess: PDD.
A normal blood test won't detect it--- it is a special panel that must be run separately and may involve swabs, x-rays and biopsies. Also-- FALSE NEGATIVES CAN AND DO OCCUR and up until very recently, there wasn't a test for it (other than post-mortem).
That is what is sounds like it could be--I am not a vet, but it's neurological and leads to seed in poop. It is also horribly contagious (but thankfully, does not live on surfaces for years like some avian viruses) BUT you should not bring any other birds into the home for now and any you do already have should be strictly quarantined. Similarly, if you contact her bird and then other birds, you should be changing clothes etc before contacting them (and all birds who have been around this one should be considered at risk, even if they show no symptoms). Like I said, it is very contagious---the silver lining is that it won't last for years like some in carpets/H-VAC system. Birds can carry and transmit ABV for a lifetime with no symptoms, but if their immune system is weakened due to stress, age etc, it sometimes progresses to PDD. You want to avoid spreading either, as the ultimate result of ABV is PDD (if it progresses).

As you know, if it is PDD, it is degenerative. PDD stands for Proventricular Dilation Disease and is sometimes called "Macaw Wasting disease" (I may have spelled that wrong, but Google will correct it if I did)

ABV (Avian Borna Virus) is generally though to be the precursor to PDD--sort of like HIV and AIDS. An ABV positive bird can live for a long time and pass it around with no symptoms, but if it progresses to PDD it is worse for the bird. There is a lot that is still unknown about this virus because it is pretty new in comparison to some parrot illnesses.

I typed all of that from what I have learned over the years, but I wanted to confirm it and the following link from VCA seems to do so...AGAIN, I am not certain, but that is what it sounds like:

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/proventricular-dilatation-in-birds

Here is another-- it mentions changing shoes and washing between bird areas: https://lafeber.com/vet/avian-bornavirus-primer/

Here is another link (please note-- you should never use bleach in a home around a parrot--- these cleaning methods would have to be conducted AWAY from all birds in the home):
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Macaw-Wasting-Disease <--also, please remember that (much like COVID-19) even a perfectly healthy bird can spread and shed the virus. Unlike Covid-19, this transmission can be indefinite (e.g., more than 50 years in some carrier cases). Boarding etc should be discouraged if a bird has been in contact with a suspected infection.

Thank you for your response. My vet is an avian specialist, and has a pretty good reputation with birds. I definitely agree that it does sound like PDD, however, He had her take the PDD exam and she came back negative. I suppose it could be a false negative though. Do you think it could be heavy metal poisoning? Another member on a different forum suggested looking into this.

I did wonder about that as well. Stainless is the safest thing for them..if his cage is flaking or even sketchy in general, that could have something to do with it (toys, jewelry, household stuff, lead paints etc). Did the vet mention a test or chelation therapy (I know a guy whose bird almost died due to playing with a toothbrush ---metal poisoning)

The vet didn't mention anything regarding heavy metal poisoning. But I'll call tomorrow and chat with him about it. The cage my grandmother uses is from 1990, it was used for another bird's before the present one. It seems to work okay, but it is old. My grandmother does take supplements and multivitamin that might have some minerals that might be an issue.

 

[Scott]

Welcome, thanks for taking an interest in your Grandmother's conure. Great advice above, worth a shot at testing for metal poisoning.