Please Pray For Winston

[PickleMeDickles]

My male sunny, Winston, is ill and needs prayer and goodwill sent his way. Yesterday I noticed he sneezed 3X in a row and was a little more snuggly than normal. This morning I opened everyone's cage and typically everyone takes off and flies around for 15-20 minutes. This morning Winston just stayed in his cage and messed with a toy. I thought, okay, maybe hormones or something, but I made a note to assess him after feeding.

Once everyone was fed I checked out Winston. His only symptom was he seemed a little tired and when I picked him up he didn't grip my finger as strong as normal. That was enough and I rushed him to our closest avian vet. I had never been to this vet before and I was a little disappointed. He listened to my assessment and then listened to Winston's chest, and that was it. He diagnosed him with an upper respiratory infection. I was given a once a day injectable antibiotic and was told to separate Winston from the other birds, keep him at 90 degrees with a heat bulb and keep a humidifier going.

It has been about 6 hours since we saw the vet and my poor Winston is all poofed up, his wings are all droopy and he can barely keep his eyes open. I did see him vomit up a bunch of water when we first got home.

I really love this goofy bird and just can't stop crying. I feel like they should have x-rayed his lungs and done blood work. I asked about it but the vet said to just start with this. Of course, Winston didn't look that sick at the vet's as he was stressed about the appointment, so the vet kinda acted like I was an overly hysterical owner. Maybe I am. I keep second guessing everything. Any suggestions would also help.

Thanks all.
-Jen

 

[eagle18]

After what I have been reading about sick parrots on this site and others, I don't think you are an "hysterical owner" at all. You know your bird better than anybody.

Can you find a avian vet nearby? I think this is a good first step as far as treatment goes, but I agree that you might need a specialist to do a more in depth medical checkup.

 

[Jen5200]

Aw, I’m so sorry Winston’s not feeling well. You know your birds - it’s not hysterical to want them to be thorough. If you feel like he needs it, get a second opinion from another vet. Hugs to you both!

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Amy and BB and I send our prayers out to Winston! Indeed,you are NOT a hysterical Mom!! You did the proper thing. I applaud you for getting Winston to an AV as fast as you did. The vet however seems to me at least,not as concerned about Winston's condition as he should be.
I would say that if you don't find Winston in a little bit better shape tomorrow,bring him elsewhere..Just MHO here.
Please keep us updated.0

Get well quickly little boy!!


Jim

 

[LauraC]

I am not sure where you are located in Southern California but I LOVE my Avian vet, Dr. Molnar of All Animals Veternary Hospital in Calabasas, CA 818-600-1838.

Keeping Winston in my prayers.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Sending good thoughts and prayers yours and Winstons way!

Skittles sends lots of sunny smooches his way too!

From what you are telling me, I think your reaction is totally normal. Our tendency to second-guess ourselves when a loved one is ill is a very common reaction as is our feeling that we are being hysterical. But why wouldn't we? Its just a sign of how much we love them!

It does sound like Winston has a bug or something. I know that my avian vet is hesitant to do xrays unless they feel they are absolutely necessary (other tests are inconclusive or test is only way to rule something out).

I am wondering if they did a fecal gram stain? That is usually the first test they do on a bird at the vets office. It give them so much health information.

If they didn't do one, I'd call them and ask why they didn't. It seems to me that was pretty careless of them not to do that test.

 

[gracebowen]

I'll keep praying for Winston. Please pray for Jet.

 

[EllenD]

First off, you're not hysterical, you're a responsible pet owner who loves your birds!

i wouldn't worry about the vomiting UNLESS Winston does it again, as that was most likely from the stress and anxiety of the entire vet trip. My Green Cheek Bowie vomits after every trip to the avian vet, actually it usually happens "during" the trip, lol. So unless that happens again, it most likely has nothing to do with whatever URI he has...

****The reason Avian Vets don't like to do x-rays unless they feel it's absolutely necessary is because they have to use gas to put the bird out so that they can tape them down to the board and take the x-ray, and though relatively safe, it's still an unnecessary risk they don't like to take unless they have to. So I wouldn't deduct any points from this Avian Vet for that, however if he didn't take any cultures then you certainly should deduct for that. I absolutely hate it when they prescribe any antibiotic without actually diagnosing what specific bacteria is causing the illness...What if it's a fungal URI? That upsets me..,.

Anyway, so his only symptoms are coughing, lethargy, and fluffing, so far, so I would give him his second injection of the antibiotic (Baytril I assume), and then if he's no better by tomorrow morning first thing when you wake up, I would call that same Avian Vet back, since he already saw him then he can see that he's worse, or at the least no better, and get him in for a follow-up appointment immediately. That would be the point that I would definitely want to have a chest x-ray done to check for pneumonia, and ask for them to take cultures from his nostrils/nares or a sinus flush and then send it out for a Culture and Sensitivity so they can diagnose the exact microbe causing the illness, and then prescribe the correct medication...

****Also, I'D DEFINITELY ASK ABOUT GIVING WINSTON HIS MEDICINE BY NEBULIZER INSTEAD OF INJECTION!!! Birds with URI's or lung infections respond so much better to antibiotics given directly into the tissue by Nebulizer than they do to oral or injection antibiotics!!! In fact, my Quaker had a URI 2 years ago, and my Avian Vet took cultures, and just went ahead and gave me the antibiotic/sterile water solution to use in my nebulizer at home, one of the most used antibiotics for treating URI's this way is Tylosin, or brand name Tylan 50...And my Quaker was almost normal the next day. I did one nebulizer treatment a day for 7 days, but he was fine in 2...the medication gets right into the infected tissue, and it's easy to make a nebulizer yourself with a human vaporizer and a plastic tub. And some vets, especially Avian vets, have a nebulizer chamber at their offices too...

 

[GaleriaGila]

Jen, good to hear from you, but sad, under these circumstances.

Get well, Winston, please.

I echo everyone above. I think that completre confidence in one's avian vet means everything! I hope you can find one that makes good decisions, and supports you in yours.

We're with you!

 

[YUMgrinder]

I hope he gets well soon!

on the subject of xrays.... for a respiratory issue, they would do no good. xrays penetrate soft tissue to see bone. I can't imagine how that is helpful in your fids diagnosis, unless he has a broken bone. I think an MRI would be needed and I don't even know if that can be done on a parrot. Hopefully the vet diagnosed him right and he starts to feel better soon. keep us updated!

 

[Scott]

I'm deeply hoping this therapy will cure Winston, but you know your birds better than the vet. I would have urged at least a blood panel to help isolate the offending organism - if indeed an infection.

Might be helpful to call and ask whether more aggressive intervention is required. If you live in the San Diego area and wish a second opinion, send me a PM as I'm very familiar with most of the CAVs.

 

[Kentuckienne]

Keeping you in my thoughts. I agree about the nebulizer .... it really helps get the medicine into all the air sacs, sinuses, other hollow places where creepy organisms like to hide. Fluffed up and sleepy is a bad sign, and you're not being hysterical at all.

 

[EllenD]

I hope he gets well soon!

on the subject of xrays.... for a respiratory issue, they would do no good. xrays penetrate soft tissue to see bone. I can't imagine how that is helpful in your fids diagnosis, unless he has a broken bone. I think an MRI would be needed and I don't even know if that can be done on a parrot. Hopefully the vet diagnosed him right and he starts to feel better soon. keep us updated!

A plain-film x-ray is often done when there are signs/symptoms of any type of respiratory or lung issue, like constant coughing that the OP's bird is suffering from, because you will be able to easily see and diagnose Pneumonia on a plain-film x-ray, as well as any type of fibrous growths inside the lungs or airways. X-rays are actually quite useful with respiratory and lung issues, the problem is that you have to totally sedate the bird in-order to take one, and though that is done with short-term gas that is pretty safe, it's still a risk that most Avian Vets don't like to take if there is another route of diagnostic testing they can take...which there was in this situation, unfortunately this Avian Vet failed to take any cultures/swabs to send out for a Culture/Sensitivity to identify the exact microbe causing the infection as well as the exact medication that this microbe will be sensitive to. Instead this vet did what most usually do anymore, unfortunately, and that is just put the bird on a broad-spectrum antibiotic without knowing at all what is wrong, and hoping that it works...This is essentially the equivalent of "Throwing it against the wall and seeing what sticks", and I hate it...

 

[Phoenix_Niko]

Wishing you and Winston the best!!!

 

[EKSM]

I have nothing of substance to add besides best wishes for Winston! And, you are not over the top in your reaction. Doctors aren't gods, they make mistakes. Advocate for Winston and you'll know you've done the very best you can do.

 

[RavensGryf]

Sending good vibes and prayers you way for Winston.

 

[PetoftheDay]

Prayers on the way!

 

[gracebowen]

How's Winston?

 

[BirdGeeks]

I would get a second opinion, for peace of mind if nothing else. I hope he gets better soon!

 

[PickleMeDickles]

Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers, your good wishes have worked! This am Winston was what I what call just kinda better, but I was still really concerned. His eyes were open and he was eating and drinking and slightly less lethargic, but still had droopy wings. I gave him his second shot and this evening he is almost back to normal. I am still holding my breath and monitoring him closely. I did find out that my hubby was up every couple of hours checking on him and encouraging to drink (I found this so sweet as Winny is definitely my bird).

So I do have a question for those in the know. I have Winston separated with a heat bulb (no lights) and a humidifier. He can see the other birds but is a safe distance away. If he continues to do well how long should I keep up the ICU bit and how long to quarantine? I definitely don't wont to go through this with the other birds if it can be avoided.

And really, thanks again to all my fellow bird lovers!