Our macaw seems sick, help

[Layla2012]

Hi we are proud parents of a 4 year old green wing macaw named Layla. We are nervous that something very serious is going on. In the last two-three weeks her appetite has significantly decreased, she doesn't seem to want any nuts, which is her favorite, she will occasionally eat walnuts and whole grain noodles. She's itching at her beak on the inside and rubs it on surfaces a lot more than usual. We've had her to the vet 3 times within the last two months. The first time all was well but her good bacteria count seemed to be a little low, so he gave us some probiotics. The last time (week ago), he did a gram stain on a swab of her throat and feces and found bacteria, so he prescribed Cipro. Last week she started eating more pellets, corn etc.. and seemed to be getting better until yesterday, she started not eating much again, still itching her beak, mumbling a lot. We feed her Zupreem (natural and fruit) and roudybush, we've tried Harrison's and she refused, just ordered more to try again. We give her fresh apples, banana, and carrots daily. Frozen corn...This is only because she is a very picky eater...Seems to be the only food we can get her to eat. We give her tons of options but she won't eat them. She will eat whole grain noodles, mashed potatoes (no salt), corn, carrots apples, banana, occasionally oatmeal, eggs. She throws her broccoli, hates kiwi, mango, spinach, sweet potato and kale...Pretty much anything that's good for her.. do you guys think her issue could be diet related or an allergy? Has anyone experienced these things with their macaw? We just want to do what's best for her. We have another appointment today at 1:30pm.

 

[Freebird1969]

What do her dropping look like? Also are you weighing her regularly, if so is she loosing weight? What's her weight now? If you haven't tried already, try cooking some wholemeal pasta for her, its healthy and easy for her to digest. Mine love it with a little Virgin Cocount oil.

 

[Layla2012]

Her droppings are normal. She weighed 1138grams her first visit, 1154grams last Monday but I'm afraid she is losing weight because she's not wanting to eat. We will know today when we take her back to the vet today. We will definitely try the pasta you recommended. Thanks so much.

 

[itzjbean]

Have you been taking her to a regular vet, or an Avian Vet? I'm sorry I am of no help here but I would advise maybe getting a second opinion from a certified Avian Vet or another vet in general? I hope she is okay!!

 

[Freebird1969]

Green Wing Macaws should average around 1250 - 1700 grams, it also depends on their size too, this may be a more normal weight for Layla. Its good that her droppings look normal, birds go down hill very rapidly so if she has been like this the last few weeks then hopefully its nothing serious. Birds don't actually eat as much as we think.

There are lots of foods you can try to entice her with, some peanut butter on toast can also be quite popular and help her put on a few pounds. Keep an eye on her Poo, if it's regular and often, then she must be eating something so a good tell tale sign.

 

[Layla2012]

We took her to the vet, he increased her dosage of Cipro, but didn't want to do blood tests, he said she looks healthy and gave us Emerald to feed her. She absolutely hates when we use a syringe. It's so hard to feed her. This morning she doesn't want to eat at all. Do you think we should get a second opinion? He wanted us to try to feed her with this 3x a day until Thursday and if not doing any better to bring her back Thursday. I am just so worried that we continue to stress her out and are making her worse. Her throat was red the first time we had her in there. Its not as red now. But her not eating is scary.

 

[Freebird1969]

If her throat is red it sounds like an infection, no wonder she doesn't want to eat.

I don't understand why you have to use a syringe either? You will loose the bond you have with her. Will she not take any food via mouth now? Maybe some fruit puree on a spoon that you can disguise the medicine in or maybe in peanut butter on toast? Your vet should really have taken some blood for testing to rule out anything else while she is taking the cipro which i assume is an anti-biotic? Because birds can go down hill so quickly you need to cover all bases as quickly as possible.

How can he say she looks healthy? Birds are great as disguising illness, they have to in the wild otherwise they become prey. Is he weighing her?

You are right to worry, I'm really sorry you are having to go through this.

 

[Layla2012]

Yes Cipro is a broad spectrum antibiotic. She is so picky about food, we've tried the spoon and she doesn't like it. I'll try the peanut butter bread. We asked about blood tests and the doctor was reluctant about doing it, he said he didn't think it was necessary. I will try a 2nd opinion I just worry about stressing her out again. Driving her an hour away is hard on her. He weighed her her and she was 1160grams so she actually gained weight since her last visit last week at 1154g.

 

[Freebird1969]

If she isn't loosing weight and she is pooping ok I wouldn't worry too much for now. I assume the her poops aren't too watery or bright green?

Just keep a close eye on her, if you can get the meds into her without having to use a syringe that would be excellent.

Good luck

Good luck!!

 

[SailBoat]

You need to change to a Avian Qualified Vet or better a Certified Avian Vet!!! Your current Vet is likely a General Vet, does care and wants to help, but likely does not have the training needed to provide in depth care of a Parrot, especially a larger Parrot like a MAC.

Your MAC should have had a Full Spectrum Blood Screen based on the Medication selected (see near end of Post).


Sorry, but this could /will be seen as hard hearted. But, you have a sick MAC and knowledge of what your Vet's background is, tests in fact taken /provided, findings as part of each visit, and lastly providing it with clarity is important for you to know and have!

The Parrot Forum is a gathering of Parrot owners with a wide across-section experiences, which allows individuals and the group as a whole to provide support and guidance regarding the care and ownership of a wide cross-section of Parrots. Members are not trained Vets nor Vet Specialists.

1: Any visit to a Vet (Generalist to Specialist), one should always be provided with a document that defines the visit and after visit care. This document is commonly a single page for a normal yearly visit. A sick Parrot visit is commonly multiple pages.

2: Never leave without receiving specific instructions and hands-on training on providing medication when determined as part of the visit.

3: With a sick Parrot visit, a follow-up visit is scheduled and a clear description of what requires a quick return.

4: Any medication provided should come with a verbal and written reason what the medication is, why it is being provided and specific side-effects to watch for. In all cases, whatever medication is provided, all of that medication must be used completely, even if the Parrot does improve.

The Sad Truth, and this is with near all of us, is that we are not able to clearly hear and remember what the Vet has stated verbally and that is why it is so important to receive a Visit Document, which covers the Visit and what was found.

In all cases, always Web Search whatever medication is prescribed, so that you have a clearer idea of what the medication will provide.

Sadly, my recommendation is that you need to return to a Vet with Avian Training with your MAC 'ASAP' for an additional Visit. This should include both of you and your MAC. Please be honest with your Vet that the emotions of seeing your baby being sick is clouding your mind and you will need information written down!

I have been dealing with Very Sick Amazons for over 45 years and with all the knowledge over all the years, I to this day, can draw a blank when things are really bad. So, I always get a written document! No shame, its just being honest about ourselves and what is needed to assure the good care of our Parrots.

My readings of your Thread and Posts show that your current Vet is stepping told a specific direction that implies that your MAC has an infection of the Airway and/or Lung (air sacks). Infections of this Nature are not to be taken lightly! Yes, this could be used as a general, but more commonly for airway and air sacks.

At this next visit:
a. Have your Vet show you how to properly handle and hold your MAC. It is not uncommon for it to take two Humans to hold and provide any oral medication and/or support feeding!
b. If not completed as part of an earlier one of this series of visits, requested a full blood spectrum test.
c. Get a written document
d. Set-up a return visit

Buy a Gram Scale with stand for your MAC. Take weight readings each morning after her first moment and before she eats. Write it down with day, time and weight.

 

[itzjbean]

Great advice from Sailboat aove, I hope Layla gets the treatment she needs from an Avian Vet and hopefully feels better soon!! Keep us updated!

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Having had sick birds .Very importanr

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Having had sick birds.Very important- While trying to find the right treatment .Your bird not eating well can be it's failing in the end .Weight loss and dehydration can happen very quickly.Some of the medicine that their on can make them dizzy and nauseous.Get parrot baby formula and a small syringe towel your bird and feed him .He might not like it but you might save him in the end.You have to do this if he's losing weight.Be right on top of your vet .If things are not working theirs lots of things to try your vet should be on to that. Please don't wait for things with your bird.Birds can die quickly they do not have all the time in the world. GOOD LUCK

 

[Freebird1969]

I found this great link about poop which might help you.

Droppings -             International Cockatiel Resource                          Uniting the World!

 

[Layla2012]

Great points Sailboat. I definitely agree with you 100℅. Thank you guys so much for all the advice and help. It is very much appreciated. She means the world to us. We tried contacting a couple other doctors and finally found one only an hour away. He has 34 years experience and is board certified on the Avian association website. He worked at the aviary in our area. He only sees clients Mondays and Tuesdays but is making an exception to see her today. On the plus side, Layla is eating, not as much as usual, she ate some brown rice noodles mid morning/afternoon yesterday and during dinner she ate mashed potatoes (her favorite) mixed with the Emeraid formula, a pecan, some more noodles, and a small piece of egg. I know it's not as healthy as she usually eats, but she ate and I'm so grateful. We are still taking her to the doctor this evening. Hoping for the best. I'm so nervous because she usually eats her dinner around 5p and goes to bed by 7p and her appointment is at 4:30, so we probably won't be home until 7p and I'm afraid it's going to stress her out. Plus she get car sick sometimes. Just hoping she gets through it without too much stress. I don't want to make her sicker than she already is by this. Thanks again all for your help.

 

[Freebird1969]

Good luck at the Vets! It does sound like she is improving though .

Try giving her a little bit of fresh ginger, it helps for birds that get travel sick.

If she loves mash potato, that would be a good food to disguise the meds in too!

Anyway do keep us updated

 

[Scott]

Taking Layla to a board certified avian vet should prove very helpful. Hopefully his insights will get Layla on track to better health.

Parrots can be extremely picky eaters, and eating the identical foods in their presence may be stimulating. I've prepared a similar bowl for some of my birds and they cannot resist at least trying something new. But for now, having expert vet advice is the prime issue!

Please update us when able!

 

[EllenD]

I have just read through this post and I'm so glad you're taking her to a certified avian vet, it will make all the difference in the world. It does very much sound like she has an infection, either an upper respiratory infection, a sinus infection, or an infection in her throat or crop. And while Cipro is a broad spectrum antibiotic, it's a Fluoroquinolone and not often prescribed for common infections in birds. I was surprised to hear she was prescribed it to begin with, and then prescribed it again. It is not a good treatment for the possible infections your bird may have. I'm hoping this certified avian vet does a culture and sensitivity to determine what bacteria is causing the infection and to prescribe the proper antibiotic, possibly Baytril or Tylosin. Blood tests at this point are a must, and I would not be afraid to push that issue. Do often vets wait too long to do blood tests on birds...Please ask all questions and don't be afraid to insist on things being done. Your bird may get stressed out, but that is much better than the alternative, which is not taking her and not having the proper tests done because you don't want to stress her out, and she gets more and more ill.

Good luck, and please let us know how she does!



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[Layla2012]

Just wanted to update you guys on Layla. The doctor we took her to was amazing, so knowledgeable and handled her so well. He immediately swabbed her throat and feces and did a gram stain. And also set aside to send out for a culture. He also took blood to send out to the lab and did some in house testing as well. The gram stain for her throat came back clear, which is great news because last Monday she had gram - rod bacteria, so at least the Cipro worked for that, but the stain for her feces showed bacteria and yeast. The yeast could be related to the probiotics we've been giving her or an infection. He gave us a medication to treat the yeast but first want us to try ACV (apple cider vinegar). I personally love this stuff, we even use it when we are sick. So hopefully that helps. The blood tests showed that her liver levels are normal but elevated white blood cells, which is most likely related to the bacteria in her feces. He wanted us to continue the Cipro until the culture comes back on the fecal test, and if needed, he will prescribe something else if the Cipro isn't the best thing to treat it. When we got home, Layla ate so much, some Emeraid, mashed potatoes, cantaloupe, brown rice noodles, and an almond. I feel 10x better and hope she continues to get better. I will say this has been one of the hardest things I've ever dealt with. I was so sick over it and finally feel some comfort. Not 100% yet, but he said he believe she will be just fine. Thank you all so much for your advice and help. It's been so great to have people to reach out to who have experience and bird companions. I will definitely keep you posted on her recovery.

 

[Scott]

So glad to hear a positive prognosis! Avian medicine is as much art as science. Finding a proper vet can be difficult, but is essential to proper and timely care for the best of outcomes.

Weight loss can be an early warning sign of illness, particularly as birds naturally hide symptoms as long as possible. If you have or can obtain a gram-sensitive scale, periodic weighing of Layla may be beneficial. Small fluctuations are normal daily, but a trend can be detected in just a few.

Looking forward to happy reports of Layla's progress!!