Not again. I'm super stressed.

[EllenD]

Yep, like I said, slow progress is still progress! They do wrap around your heart, don't they? I've had Kane, my Senegal, only since the end of November, he's going on 7 months old, and I can't imagine my house without him. He's just started his first big molt, and last week when I first saw him starting to get raggedy I freaked out and thought he might be plucking... So I immediately called my avian vet, took him in, and he was like "How old is he? Ellen, I think he's just molting!" I felt silly but at least I know he's OK...Lol, my vet didn't charge me anything so no harm, no foul, but I did feel silly. But if I lost him I'd be devastated.

Leo looks pretty good! His feathers are bright and shiny, his eyes look clear, and he looks happy!

"Dance like nobody's watching..."

 

[Pinkbirdy]

I have had sick birds.I found the smaller birds like yours were more sensitive to the side effects of the antibiotics
Most make them dizzy and nauseous (even Baytril).It usually makes them not want to eat much. They can lose weight and become hydrated quick.I myself learned not to play around and was handfeeding A LOT though this time.His droppings can tell you a lot about if he's eating enough.Its tough going through the full rounds of medicines to see if it's the right one.Do they know it's not a vitamin deficiency or ABV?

 

[BeatriceC]

He started falling off his perch so we went back to the vet. Vet did x-rays. There's still nothing obvious, but his abdomen is a little bit bloated. He put him on an medication to help soothe his stomach to see if that helps.

ETA: by "perch" I mean the side of his food bowls. He's still in his little bin.

 

[SilverSage]

Oh no I'm so sorry. Has blood work been done?


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[BeatriceC]

Yes. The only thing that's odd is a high white blood cell count. Dr. J. really is stumped. Now that I'm home and can see the bottle, the new medication (in addition to the antibiotic) is sucralfate. His weight was actually pretty good while we were there, but it had only been a couple hours since a 10mL formula feed, so it would have been a little lower without that. The big deal here is getting him to eat on his own and to get the WBC count down. We shall see what the new meds do.

 

[Aidualc]

This is so horrible. I really hope he'll get better soon ! Did the vet break down the distribution of WBC and which particular ones were elevated in numbers? That in itself could give indications what the issue may be.

 

[BeatriceC]

Starting about an hour after his first dose of sucralfate he began to eat more in earnest than he has in the last 10 days. He's eating a little broccoli, some brussel sprouts, some carrots, a grape, some kiwi and some yams, and thrown spinach and red peppers a fair distance across his bin. He hasn't moved that much in the last 10 days combined. I'm beginning to get cautiously hopeful again.

 

[Scott]

What a disappointing setback, but nice to see some progress. Not familiar with Sucralfate and had to Google. Seems it is a great drug for gastrointestinal issues in both parrots and mammals. Hope this and antibiotics will quickly heal Leo.

 

[BeatriceC]

This has been such and emotional roller coaster, but I have to be honest here. I don't think he's going to make it. He's doing poorly again today and it's getting harder and harder to even get formula in him. I'm wondering if the humane thing to do is just let him go. Am I prolonging his agony because I'm being selfish? I can barely get him to wake up for feedings. The vet said there really isn't anything more he can do than just continue to support him like I've been and hope for the best. I just don't know.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I have no idea, but WHATEVER you do, I KNOW we'll all be with you. And little Leo.
No matter what, you and he are/were/willalways be a beautiful thing.

 

[BeatriceC]

I got him to eat 5mL of formula and he perked up a tiny bit. I'll try to get another 5mL in him in a little bit. That was all he could handle at that time. It stresses him out a lot.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I have no idea, but WHATEVER you do, I KNOW we'll all be with you. And little Leo.
No matter what, you and he are/were/willalways be a beautiful thing.

Just wanted to make sure you saw this last post on previous page.
*hugs*

 

[BeatriceC]

I did. Thank you. I'm a bit overwhelmed and emotional right now, and not thinking straight.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I guess I "hope" I'll be there someday, seeing the Rickeybird out with eternal love, outliving him. But just saying that makes me shake. *more hugs*

 

[BeatriceC]

I really hope I'm not there now. I'll just keep doing what I've been doing and hope for the best. There's not much more I can do. We've spent almost $1500 at this point, and the only real advantage of staying at the hospital is that an experience vet tech tube feeding him in under a minute is less stressful than me syringe feeding him. But then he's got the stress of not being at home. So he'll stay home, and hopefully he pulls through.

 

[Kentuckienne]

My heart hurts just thinking of this. I'm glad, though, that you can hold him and feed him, like when he was a baby chick. I'm hoping for the post that says he's turned to corner and chowing down the chop. Can I send you a coffee or something? I feel pretty useless, way over here.

 

[SilverSage]

I recently lost a bird this way, after weeks of fighting and extreme vet bills and no answers.

Just know that whether you keep fighting or you choose to end the suffering, you will be doing what you think is best for him because you love him.

There isn't much we can do or say to help, but we are here for you in any way we can be.


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[Pinkbirdy]

Did you read the side effects of this new medicine ? Did they test for ABV.If he's dizzy and nauseous that's why he might be acting this way.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Don't give up on feeding him .Mine didn't like it either .For some reason a smaller syringe worked better for me.Have it be made a little watery to make sure he's getting enough fluids.You will be able to tell by his droppings.I hope this new medicine is not to strong for him .I can't believe all you know 1500 later that he has A high white blood count and they have used Baytril ?

 

[Scott]

This has been such and emotional roller coaster, but I have to be honest here. I don't think he's going to make it. He's doing poorly again today and it's getting harder and harder to even get formula in him. I'm wondering if the humane thing to do is just let him go. Am I prolonging his agony because I'm being selfish? I can barely get him to wake up for feedings. The vet said there really isn't anything more he can do than just continue to support him like I've been and hope for the best. I just don't know.

Oh no, Beatrice. Are you able to keep track of Leo's weight and if so is there a trend? I'm guessing Dr. J performed the requisite testing and all results have returned inconclusively? Don't suppose other local vets are worthy of a second opinion? Only board-certified I know of in the area are Todd Cecil in La Mesa and Brian Loudis in Encinitas.

Always a heart-rending decision, but you know Leo best. If he is not in pain or undue distress, hopefully he will rally. I know you are intuitive and will make the best choice.