Primor Facing Possible Air Sac Rupture, CT Scan Tuesday – update

[PrimorandMoxi]

Here is an update on Primor and could really use your insights, support, or similar experiences.


We first took him to our regular vet (who does have experience with birds), but the mass under Primor’s wing would come and go, and nothing was visible during that visit. We’ve been monitoring closely, and three days ago the swelling returned—this time significantly.


I brought him to Red Bank Animal Hospital’s emergency department. It’s an incredible facility, and they did full bloodwork. What they suspect is a rupture in an air sac.


He’s currently on an anti-inflammatory, but to get a definitive diagnosis, they’re recommending a CT scan, which of course requires anesthesia—something that terrifies us.

We’re scheduled for the scan this Tuesday, and I’m reaching out to ask:

• Has anyone here had experience with air sac ruptures?
• Has your bird undergone a CT scan under anesthesia?
• Anything you did to prepare or questions you wished you’d asked?

Thank you for being here.

 

[texsize]

Here is an update on Primor and could really use your insights, support, or similar experiences.


We first took him to our regular vet (who does have experience with birds), but the mass under Primor’s wing would come and go, and nothing was visible during that visit. We’ve been monitoring closely, and three days ago the swelling returned—this time significantly.


I brought him to Red Bank Animal Hospital’s emergency department. It’s an incredible facility, and they did full bloodwork. What they suspect is a rupture in an air sac.


He’s currently on an anti-inflammatory, but to get a definitive diagnosis, they’re recommending a CT scan, which of course requires anesthesia—something that terrifies us.

We’re scheduled for the scan this Tuesday, and I’m reaching out to ask:

• Has anyone here had experience with air sac ruptures?
• Has your bird undergone a CT scan under anesthesia?
• Anything you did to prepare or questions you wished you’d asked?

Thank you for being here.

Sorry you’re going through this and hope it come out ok.

My Bingo was anethesistissed for an x ray.
I don’t know if they do it the same way for a CT scan but my vet used drops on his nares that he said was like birdy Valium .

It’s short acting maybe 15 minutes or so and they can give him something to bring him out quickly if needed.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

A CT is very quick so the issue is how you feel about short anesthesia. My budgies have had x-rays and ultrasounds under sedation and they were fine. It's a very short acting anesthesia and I assume it's being administered by people who know what they're doing. I'd do it. There's always a risk with anesthesia but I'd rather know what's ailing my bird and try to do something about it than the alternative.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

As for questions for the vet- I approach things like this with my humans or my birds with the questions "What are you looking for?" and "What's the plan if you find it or something else?"

If there's nothing they can do for whatever it is they may find via imaging, then it's an academic exercise for an unnecessary risk to have the imaging. If they have a treatment in mind for ruptured air sacs or some other condition they may find that would help Primor it may be worth the risk.

 

[LaManuka]

Here is an update on Primor and could really use your insights, support, or similar experiences.


We first took him to our regular vet (who does have experience with birds), but the mass under Primor’s wing would come and go, and nothing was visible during that visit. We’ve been monitoring closely, and three days ago the swelling returned—this time significantly.


I brought him to Red Bank Animal Hospital’s emergency department. It’s an incredible facility, and they did full bloodwork. What they suspect is a rupture in an air sac.


He’s currently on an anti-inflammatory, but to get a definitive diagnosis, they’re recommending a CT scan, which of course requires anesthesia—something that terrifies us.

We’re scheduled for the scan this Tuesday, and I’m reaching out to ask:

• Has anyone here had experience with air sac ruptures?
• Has your bird undergone a CT scan under anesthesia?
• Anything you did to prepare or questions you wished you’d asked?

Thank you for being here.

I'm sorry you're going through this, @PrimorandMoxi. I've had birds go under anaesthesia many many times for various tests and surgical procedures, I wish I could tell you it's always been 100% successful but even with the most skilled and experienced of vets it hasn't, unexpected things crop up as I'm sure you will know and your clinic will tell you, and it has happened to me. My heart is with you and Primor, the best we can ever do is go with our gut as to what we think is best and I'm praying for a successful outcome for you

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Did the vet say there's any treatment for ruptured air sacs or do they eventually heal? I googled it and there's an AI explanation. Apparently it's not painful.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I've been reading about ruptured air sacs in parrots. They usually just heal on their own. If that's what it is, I probably wouldn't get a CT due to the small but real anesthesia risk. I saw a video of a vet aspirating the trapped air in a budgie with a needle. The budgie did fine and recovered well.
It's amazing what you can find online if you use Google.

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

Thank you so much all.

This story is problematic and slightly shameful because Primor's other daddy is a moron.

With this issue of this growth under wing:
my brilliant friend sprayed Primor with Hydrogen Peroxide. I cant help but think this imbecile made the birds condition worse.

what was clearly only on one side is now under both wings.
While my birdy partner keeps saying it is improving!!
I keep telling him, that is not how a bird works, and Primor was most likely injured for some time now.

I have the appointment tomorrow, Tuesday and will ask the Vets to do a thorough check, up knowing about the Hydrogen Peroxide, before putting him under.

My other half left the country, (on business, not because I chased him)
He is putting this all on me:
"Do not let them put Primor under, it is a-too reesky"

He wants them to give us antibiotics and call it a day...

The treatment of the air sac rupture, as I understand it, is to identify the exact location of the rupture through the CTscan and do something to force it to heal...?

some air sacs are easier to treat than others.
oh, F- me.

Note: I had no idea about the peroxide until after.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I wonder . . . What was he (H2O2 guy) THINKING? Why did he do that? I hope for your birds' sake he loses his passport in said foreign country!

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

I wonder . . . What was he (H2O2 guy) THINKING? Why did he do that? I hope for your birds' sake he loses his passport in said foreign country!

Do you have ICE connections??
-he's been in the states for a long time, so this will not be easy task for you I will DM you all of his info. Thanks.
lol.

This is the calamity that is life.
One of those moments where I say,
"Who am I with?"
But that's for another forum.

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

Yesterday was Primor’s CT scan, and I’m relieved to say he came through like a champ.

That said, it was a very tense and emotional day.


The vet called mid-procedure with an update that didn’t sound good—they were having trouble finding a vein and had to keep him under longer than they wanted.
Thankfully, he pulled through and is now home recovering.


The scan didn’t reveal anything obviously conclusive yet—it has been sent out for detailed analysis. What we do know so far is that Primor is suffering from a ruptured air sac, most visibly affecting the area under his right wing. The swelling had seemed to fluctuate over the past few weeks and eventually progressed to affect the opposite side as well.


There’s also significant bruising—more than expected—and today I noticed a large bruise above the pinkish, swollen air sac. The vet noted this too, and we’re watching it closely.


I’ll share more as we learn from the scan analysis, but I wanted to thank everyone for your support and let you know where things stand. Any similar experiences or advice are always welcome.

Avian Emphysema (Air Sac Rupture)​

Subcutaneous emphysema in birds occurs when air escapes from a ruptured air sac and becomes trapped under the skin. It often causes a visible bubble or swelling, which may feel soft or spongy to the touch and can grow or shift.

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

Swelling under his right wing.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I'm so happy he got through the procedure so well. I'm sure you were very stressed out because birds CAN die during anesthesia even though it's not common. Wvery time I've had to have imaging on my budgies they've done fine and they're tiny.

 

[LaManuka]

Oh @PrimorandMoxi, I hope your little sweetheart is resting well now after his exam. Did the vet give you any indications as to further treatment options yet? Or do they need to wait until the results come back?

 

[rheashard2]

You have my prayers. What is the treatment plans for this?

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

we have a follow up visit on Sunday I think they will have the scans back and a course of treatment.

This Animal hospital in Red Bank NJ is amazing.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Great information about Red Bank. I go to NJ a lot. Good avian vets with such facilities are few and far between. I wish more members would share information about avian vet care besides the list that was complied, which is helpful, but not specific enough.

 

[kme3388]

I am so sorry to hear about your Amazon. I’m glad he made it through his procedure. I’ve never heard of an air sac rupture. Thank you very much for sharing. If I ever see something like this in my parrots I at least have an idea of what’s going on.

 

[wrench13]

Whew - sigh of relief!!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I've read that ruptured air sacs "heal themselves". I hope that's true so the Primor doesnt need to be subjected to any more procedures. I would be a wreck worrying about it. I also hear they aren't particularly painful.