Hahns Macaw first vet visit!!

[denaz101]

Hey folks, just came back from out first vet visit. Sunny was diagnosed with a respiratory issues. We have had Sunny for about a month and a half and I have always noticed when Sunny got over stimulated he would wheeze, but I thought that was normal. The Vet toweled Sunny to do the exam and Sunny was wheezing very loud and his eyes would close. She said that is not normal. She also showed his nostrils were pink/red. She said it is another sign of respiratory infection. So she started us off with a course of antibiotics. The vet gave us directions on how to administer the antibiotics. Oh boy this is going to be fun!!

So I was wondering is respiratory infections common in Hahns Macaws? Should I be worried? We do not smoke, house is clean, there is some cat dander flying around but we vacuum two to three times per week, dust regularly, no Teflon pots or incense.

Again, I have always noticed the wheezing in Sunny since we have got him, do you think he could of got sick from the pet store he was in, they had alot of other birds, and puppies.

So the antibiotics is for ten days, twice a day, and then we will see her again in two weeks.

Maybe I just needed someone else to talk to someone with experience about this is probably all I need right now. I'm a little worried.

Thanks,

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

Zilla is an amazon, but she has a history of respiratory infections and aspergilliosis. It can be a challenge to get the medications into them, but Zilla has been improving greatly.

I'm sure it's hard for you to watch him struggle to breath, I know it's been hard for me to watch Zilla, but the rewards as their health improves is well worth all the love, worry and struggles it takes!

Good luck, and I'm sure he will be fine in time.

Please make sure to give him all the medications! Part of Zilla's problems were due to her previous owners stopping the meds when she started acting better and it got harder and harder to get her to take them. That only causes the infection to come back harder the second and third times, and requires more vet visits and more medications.

 

[denaz101]

Thanks Amanda, it was scary, but she said if the antibiotics doesnt work it could be a mold or fungal infection, which would require more treatment. That was the part that scared me the most, I think I can get this little guy to taker his meds, he frigging eats everything, my plot is almond butter or this really good soup he likes. Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

That's what happened with Zilla, the antibiotics only worked a little bit then the scans showed mold (aspergilliosis) in her air sacs.

We just finished a 90 day round of anti-fungals on the 4th. She is a whole new bird and hasn't had any breathing issues for weeks now.

We go back to the vet for a re-check around the 10th of February.

I sincerely hope this is just a respiratory infection with your bird and the antibiotics work!

 

[denaz101]

Is aspergilliosis a common illness in parrots?

 

[denaz101]

Ok, first two doses of antibiotics down, it wasn't as hard as I thought, we mixed it with a tasty soup and he chowed it down

 

[goalerjones]

Yes, he probably came yo you sick, but not knowing what that looks like, it can be easy to miss. Keep him from overstimulation, as this can worsen symptoms of respiratory illness. And personally I find giving shots easier than giving oral antibiotics.

 

[denaz101]

Thanks Goalerjones. The doc wanted to try the antibiotics first before we rule in the aspergilliosis, also he was a little overweight, weighing in at 159 grams!! She said if the oral didn't go good we could do the injections. My wife has found a real good healthy recipe he enjoys. So he gobble's up the soup/stew mix.

Yeah, I am thinking he came to us sick for sure. Thanks for the tip of not getting him to overly stimulated. But he can so playful at times it might be tough.

 

[Dopey]

Can you please post the soup/stew mix. You are making me hungry.

 

[denaz101]

Can you please post the soup/stew mix. You are making me hungry.

Rainbow carrots, cabbage, onions, turnips, ginger, hot peppers, and brown rice. Sunny and I are fighting over who is going to finish it!!

:63:

 

[denaz101]

Here goes Sunny playing hide and seek, one of his favorite games!!

 

[Dopey]

I don't blame you...that sounds really good.

 

[denaz101]

Ok I fed him the antibiotic this morning with almond butter, he dug that

 

[Allee]

Awww, I hope your very handsome boy feels better soon. I'm glad to hear he's taking the medicine so well. Can't blame him, the stew sounds good.

 

[denaz101]

Awww, I hope your very handsome boy feels better soon. I'm glad to hear he's taking the medicine so well. Can't blame him, the stew sounds good.

Thanks Allee, this is day two and he is taking the antibiotics well!!

 

[Allee]

I hope Sunny continues to cooperate for you.

 

[denaz101]

I am trying to determine if Sunny's right nare opening looks smaller then it should be?

Here are a few pix, if anyone could see anything unusual?

 

[denaz101]

Just a few things I have noticed these past two days, Sunny will actually stick his fang up his nose that I think is clogged up and shake it, Is he picking his nose? My next vet visit is the 26th.

He is taking the antibiotics well, almond butter seems to be the best way to deliver the antibiotics,

Also another question, we wanted to know should we have a calcium cake in the cage? We have a backbone of a squid but he hasn't touched it,

We are going out today to do toy shopping, he has torn up two of his toys

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

Not sure about the nose picking...maybe???

I'm glad to hear he is taking his meds well.

I have a mau mineral block in Zillas cage. She uses it to "manicure" her beak on and sometimes I will see her nibble a small piece off of it.

 

[goalerjones]

Hahnzel does the nose picking. Usually followed by one or two sneezes. Normal unless the sneezing persists.