Hi everyone...

[Turbot123]

Hi. My name is Tommy. My wife and I have a 24 year old African Grey parrot. Her name is Buffy. A little over a week ago she took a hard fall on the floor. We first thought she just fell but she is basically paralyzed. She has a lot of trouble opening her little feet to grasp her perch. Three vet visits so far and we all are thinking she may have had a stroke. Is there anyone out there with this same problem? Any advice on what we can do? We cannot bring ourselves to put her down... That is not an option right now. We have made her house safer. She talks, eats well so the only symptom is her little legs and feet...

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, Tommy. Kudos for seeking medical care and best quality of life for Buffy.

Is Buffy's vet certified avian? Most important to diagnose a complex neurological issue. Were X-Rays taken to assess her skeletal condition, does she appear stable?

Certainly possible a stroke caused loss of balance leading to fall. I don't believe the state of avian medicine offers much in the way of therapy. You've already made great headway by making her cage safer, and presumably more accessible. Does Buffy have any movement of legs or total paralysis? Parrots are incredibly adaptive and can use beak to move about cage and possibly stabilize with legs or wings.

As long as she eats, seems happy, and has close relationship with family, I would not personally consider euthanasia at this point.

 

[Flboy]

Hi! 24 is so young! How is her diet?

 

[wrench13]

Sorry you join us under these circumstances. Buffy is lucky she has you!

 

[Laurasea]

The body wants to heal itself. Anti-inflammatory meds for birds and time , may improve things. I pray this will happen fir Buffy.

I've seen two remarkable examples of this. I dont want to share the graphic details , and they were in dogs. But time and support, and sometimes the body does remarkable healing..

 

[Turbot123]

Thanks for those who responded. Her diet is healthy, we give (we have a conure as well..) we give fresh apple, orange, they love bologna, banana nut bread is one of her favorites. She is eating well and talking as usual so if this is a stroke, the only symptom is the loss of her legs... However she was able to stand on her own today someone the day...

 

[Turbot123]

Her diet is good. I accidentally replied to everyone ... Apples, orange, banana nut bread. A seed mixture for greys. She is eating well. The only symptom of a possible stroke is thew loss of use in her legs and feet...

 

[Turbot123]

Thank you for your interest and encouraging words. Yes, her main vet is certified but was honest and could not confirm a stroke, or anything else. We took her to a second certified vet Friday and that was not good. Stressed Buffy out real bad... so we have an appointment this Friday at a clinic in Grapevine and we are told that this group of vets are experts in everything about birds... Hoping for answers Friday....

 

[Scott]

Good luck with the third vet clinic. You'll want the visits to be low stress, particularly if her body is healing from a major neurological event.

Hopefully you'll received advice to minimize the recurrence of stroke, if that is indeed the case. Please update us with Buffy's progress.

 

[Turbot123]

Thank you!!! I am sooo glad that there are folks like you, that understand how we love our babies... like me and Carol that live for our baby!!! She is everything to me. Thank you!!!

 

[Turbot123]

I sure hope she feels this same. I love this girl. More that anything... Thank you for responding. Do you have a special friend... like I do?

 

[Turbot123]

Thank you. She had a much better day today but is still unable to control her legs and feet all day.

 

[Turbot123]

Will do. She had a good day today. We are really hoping that she did not have a stroke but took that fall that caused this.

 

[Scott]

Hope you receive good answers and a recovery plan Friday.