Bingo's upcoming vet appointment

[texsize]

So once again I am taking Bingo into my avian certified vet tomorrow.
My main concern is his breathing like it has been the last 4 winters.
Despite keeping humidity at about 45% and a slightly warmer house temp.
Also going to have his feet looked at (trim toenails and inspect the bottom of his feet).
I am going to strongly resist my vets insistence on checking for gram negative bacteria in his crop.
I don't see how it can be relevant to a respiratory issue.
Anyway here is a video I recorded and plan to show the vet at the time of appointment.
I think you will see my concern.

 

[Terry57]

Wes, I'm so glad you're taking him in, that would concern me as well. I hope that it will be a quick fix with some antibiotics. Sending healing energy to Bingo, please update us after you see the vet.

 

[texsize]

Wes, I'm so glad you're taking him in, that would concern me as well. I hope that it will be a quick fix with some antibiotics. Sending healing energy to Bingo, please update us after you see the vet.

Will do.
appointment is early am (pacific coast time)
BTW what time is the PF time stamp in?
East coast, Mountain?

 

[Terry57]

Will do.
appointment is early am (pacific coast time)
BTW what time is the PF time stamp in?
East coast, Mountain?

I believe the forum is set to Eastern time, as far as I can tell. I'm in MST.

 

[HeatherG]

Yeah, shouldn’t they do a choanal swab or even, maybe a sinus wash and aspirate? That would be a great culture sample for a bird having respiratory issues.

 

[texsize]

Yeah, shouldn’t they do a choanal swab or even, maybe a sinus wash and aspirate? That would be a great culture sample for a bird having respiratory issues.

Last year I specifically asked for a nasal flush.
Vet did what he always does. He swabs his throat.
Not going to go down that road again.

 

[wrench13]

I dont like the looks of that either! Ever think of getting a second opinion Wes?

Doctor: You have incipient crapulosa in your fractus bone
Patient: I would like to get a second opinion
Doctor: Your also ugly

 

[HeatherG]

Last year I specifically asked for a nasal flush.
Vet did what he always does. He swabs his throat.
Not going to go down that road again.

Is it possible he swabbed the choana, or the slit through the top of the mouth that goes to the “nasal” area?

 

[texsize]

Is it possible he swabbed the choana, or the slit through the top of the mouth that goes to the “nasal” area?

I guess it’s possible but it didn’t look like it.

 

[LaManuka]

Wes I'm very sorry to hear that Bingo's breathing issues have resurfaced, and am sending you all the best possible well wishes for him too 🙏🙏🙏💝

 

[HeatherG]

I guess it’s possible but it didn’t look like it.

I think it might be very hard to tell the difference if you weren’t looking right in the birds beak/ mouth. I don’t think it’s usual to swab into the crop and that would look like he was sticking the swab down the right side of the birds throat. Choana swab would be putting the swab through a slit in the birds palate into the “nose” area and hopefully getting a nice mucus sample.

If you have the old vet paperwork you could check what kind of swab he did. Because you are correct; it would not make much sense to check crop contents but it would make sense to swab the nasal/ sinus area through the slit in the roof of the mouth (choanal swab).

Anyhow I am sorry you and your bird are living with a continuing problem. Maybe your guy could be nebulized so he breathes in treated mist?

 

[texsize]

I dont like the looks of that either! Ever think of getting a second opinion Wes?

Doctor: You have incipient crapulosa in your fractus bone
Patient: I would like to get a second opinion
Doctor: Your also ugly

Frequently!
even though I live in So.Cal I live in the extreme northern area of Los Angeles County.
The High desert has 1 avian vet and 1 exotic vet.
I found an avian vet a little over an hour away and tried to make appointment. The wait time was 2 WEEKS .
That being said my avian vet was the guy that performed surgery (successfully) on Angel’s wing.
The exotic vet I don’t trust ….. not sure how to put it.
the medicine dosage given.
Last time I went was with Lucky.
wanted me to give some outrageous amount of meds and was convinced Lucky was a girl (no way).

If I could I would take him to Oregon with me and see an exotic vet my Father has used for long time.
Met her last year and was able to talk birds some.
My father has had and still does have a Bengal cat and they can take special care.

 

[HeatherG]

Here is a photo inside a turkey’s mouth showing location of the choana. (That slit in roof of the mouth or palate) I think your doc may be swabbing in there (choana, nasopharyngeal area) which is right-on. Crop swab would be down the right side of the throat and yes, that would be totally weird to do.

 

[texsize]

Back from the vet.
400 bucks lighter.
He did a blood test and that swab test (not in the crop the way I thought).
Bingo is a sick puppy.
Vet said he heard crackling in his lungs.
Didn't want to do x-ray because of his breathing difficulties and he said it would not change the course of treatment.
Gave me the usual antibiotics and am waiting for blood test results in the AM.

Recommended upping the temperature to 85 ºF (not possible house wide or even individual room).
We (son and I) looked at all the possibilities
Bingo already has and uses a small bird heater in his cage.
I installed the new and bigger heating plate in his cage (maybe take a pic later) in addition to the one he has. Going to keep the cage covered as much as practical to retain heat.

May go in to nebulizer treatment depending on blood test results.

stay tuned for more developments.

 

[Terry57]

Oh Wes, I'm so sorry that the news wasn't better. Would it be possible to add an oil burning heater to the room he's in? I know you and your son talked about everything but just wanted to mention it in case it hadn't been thought of.

I know that Bingo couldn't be in more wonderful hands, and that you will help him get through this. I hope the antibiotics start to work quickly.

When do they think that all the results will be in?

 

[texsize]

We have HVAC and the Heat is through natural gas.
The cost of heating the whole house to 85 deg F would make me pass out.
And 85 is not what I would call comfortable.
I/we were trying to come up with a way to heat one room using an oil filled radiator heate.
cage too big for a bathroom.
My son’s bedroom best option but would be tight fit.

Here is a picture of the setup.
Bingo is sitting next to the smaller heating plate.
The new larger heating plate is attached to the back of his cage (kids hard to see).
Both sides and back of cage covered to help retain heat.
As I type this Bingo is sitting in the back by the bigger one.

 

[LaManuka]

Back from the vet.
400 bucks lighter.
He did a blood test and that swab test (not in the crop the way I thought).
Bingo is a sick puppy.
Vet said he heard crackling in his lungs.
Didn't want to do x-ray because of his breathing difficulties and he said it would not change the course of treatment.
Gave me the usual antibiotics and am waiting for blood test results in the AM.

Recommended upping the temperature to 85 ºF (not possible house wide or even individual room).
We (son and I) looked at all the possibilities
Bingo already has and uses a small bird heater in his cage.
I installed the new and bigger heating plate in his cage (maybe take a pic later) in addition to the one he has. Going to keep the cage covered as much as practical to retain heat.

May go in to nebulizer treatment depending on blood test results.

stay tuned for more developments.

Oh Wes, I'm so very sorry to hear this news. I agree with Terry though, that Bingo could not be in more loving or caring hands than yours. Sending more prayers for his recovery! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

 

[HeatherG]

I’m glad he got checked out and hope the blood work is helpful.

Keep your boy warm and eating (and drinking). You’re doing all that you should be doing.

I wish you and bingo the best of luck and health.

 

[texsize]

Gave Bingo his meds. Afraid I am out of practice.
He ate his veggies with good appetite.
sat with me .
other than that he has been snuggled up against the new heater. He really likes it.
I don’t know how durable it’s going to be. The back is made out of plastic and a determined hook bill will be able to damage it.
the AC cord is a little worrisome. Well protected from small birds but my Amazon could get to 110vac if determined.
my other 2 heaters have only DC voltage going to the warmer so they are safer.
Right now power cord is hidden by blanket covering back of cage but will get a piece of pvc for added protection.
here is the product.

https://www.amazon.com/Kokopro-Bird-Heater-Cage-Parakeets/dp/B0BG7Y8NH1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2C3ZSL9SMIKND&keywords=okopro%2BBird%2BHeater%2Bfor%2BCage%2B-%2BSnuggle%2BUp%2BBird%2BWarmer%2Bfor%2BExotic%2BPet%2BBirds%2C%2B5%22x8%22%2B15W%2BAfrican%2BGrey%2C%2BParakeets%2C%2BParrots%2C%2B(5%22x8%22)&qid=1672967638&sprefix=okopro%2Bbird%2Bheater%2Bfor%2Bcage%2B-%2Bsnuggle%2Bup%2Bbird%2Bwarmer%2Bfor%2Bexotic%2Bpet%2Bbirds%2C%2B5%2Bx8%2B15w%2Bafrican%2Bgrey%2C%2Bparakeets%2C%2Bparrots%2C%2B5%2B

 

[LaManuka]

Wonderful that he's eating, Wes, that's gotta be a good thing!