Prolapse questions

[Bandespresso]

Well what a day it has been already! This morning, I woke up Espresso and she had her morning poop and it looked a little runny and iffy...okay no real reason to freak out. Then I put her on the playstand and she went to poop again (cue small freak out). When she pooped, she had a small prolapse. Cue huge freak out. I immediately took away her food and called the vet sobbing and a gigantic mess, rushed her over, and the prolapse retracted itself (yay but still aaahhh). They checked her for egg binding and took a full body X-ray and couldn't find any reason for it. I'm going back tomorrow for fecal and bloodwork (the AV wasn't in so they did everything they could do and eliminated all the Big Scaries without her and without charging me a bagillion dollars which was nice). I'm watching her like a hawk and she is on metacam, antibiotics, and some probiotics (which sounds about right to me..I know antibiotics can be really persnickety though should I be concerned about giving them with probiotics??)

My question is has anyone else experienced this? What are some theories y'all have for what is causing it? She got fluids at the vet and is acting reasonably normal...she is on a no seed or pellet diet until we get to the bottom (no pun intended) of this which she will not like lol.

 

[Hawk]

I haven't seen this in Parrots too often, but happens quite frequently with a large flock of chickens. Make sure you get some electrolytes in your bird with water. It helps the chickens. Many times it is diet related, something didn't settle right in digestive track.

I add Electrolytes to the water with liquid B vitamins ( in small amounts) Then clean and disinfect all dishes,all the toys and monitor closely what my parrots eat and don't eat when they have poo that drastically changes, and always clears up. Sometimes they get a bad belly just like we do from eating something that didn't sit or fair well.
No need to panic as it always passes but never the less always monitor closely.

Their annual check ups are perfect.

 

[Bandespresso]

Thank you Hawk. Its probably diet-related knowing Espresso. She has been on an exceptionally picky streak lately after being so good the past month. I'm very glad we eliminated all the Big Scaries today.

She's on a super-restricted diet for the next couple of days. I'll ask my AV tomorrow about the electrolytes. I really wanted to avoid vitamins but it is looking like I won't have any other options with this one...she was doing so well about eating until recently.

 

[henpecked]

I doubt the probiotics are doing any good while on the antibiotics, but they probably can't hurt. You should start those as soon as she finishes the antibiotics though. For electrolytes i'd use pedialite from the baby food section of the grocery store. BUT i'm not an AV. Does your AV think she needs a high fiber diet? I mix wheat germ and yogurt , the birds love it. The trouble with antibiotics like Baytril are that it kills both the bad bacteria and the good. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Bandespresso]

That was my concern as well. My AV wasn't in yesterday so all the meds they gave us was just what they have done in the past...the timing probiotics and antibiotics is a pretty small detail that's easy to look over. They were able to get X-rays and do a physical check without her and those were the important things. Espresso hates yoghurt but I can probably sneak some wheat germ JNTO something she likes like sweet potato or squash.

 

[Hawk]

Thank you Hawk. Its probably diet-related knowing Espresso. She has been on an exceptionally picky streak lately after being so good the past month. I'm very glad we eliminated all the Big Scaries today.

She's on a super-restricted diet for the next couple of days. I'll ask my AV tomorrow about the electrolytes. I really wanted to avoid vitamins but it is looking like I won't have any other options with this one...she was doing so well about eating until recently.

Your welcome, It's important to keep prolapse birds hydrated. That's why I suggested Electrolytes. They can be bought in many forms. baby pedialite is a good choice. In summer months a pro-lapsed chicken can dehydrate in less than 24 hours. They poo a lot and takes out much needed nutrients and vitamins.

My wife is a former vet from 4 different locations over the years. We handle our own emergencies right at home. Just recently My grey bit the toe off one of my other parrots, we did everything right here. And she's a fine and happy 3 toed parrot now. We have quite the emergency kit when needed.

 

[Bandespresso]

The final verdict is that she is trying to make eggs so her body is using up all her calcium which affects her muscle control. She's on a calcium supplement and I'm kicking her down to 10 hour days to try to stop her egg laying. I already took away her boxes at the beginning of December since she layed this time last year. She also has a small respiratory infection which makes a whole lot of sense since she hasn't experienced weather that is this cold and dry before. She's back on a regular diet I'll be adding electrolytes to her water.

I'm so thankful that it wasn't anything scary. I can and have handled prolapses before but it is a completely different story when it is your baby. The why was more concerning than the actual prolapse. And holy cannoli my AV is incredible!!! Super knowledgeable, affordable, and just lovely. I'm so relieved because she is literally the only avian vet in Tucson (she isn't even board certified! The only board certified AV retired recently). Phew!

 

[Hawk]

The final verdict is that she is trying to make eggs so her body is using up all her calcium which affects her muscle control. She's on a calcium supplement and I'm kicking her down to 10 hour days to try to stop her egg laying. I already took away her boxes at the beginning of December since she layed this time last year. She also has a small respiratory infection which makes a whole lot of sense since she hasn't experienced weather that is this cold and dry before. She's back on a regular diet I'll be adding electrolytes to her water.

I'm so thankful that it wasn't anything scary. I can and have handled prolapses before but it is a completely different story when it is your baby. The why was more concerning than the actual prolapse. And holy cannoli my AV is incredible!!! Super knowledgeable, affordable, and just lovely. I'm so relieved because she is literally the only avian vet in Tucson (she isn't even board certified! The only board certified AV retired recently). Phew!

If I may also add and suggest, try some Raspberry leaf tea, it is a potent female tonic as it helps pass eggs with less complication and helps regulate hormonal levels. Other ingredients help calm the bird in the time of stress as well as provide important nutrients that help during the reproductive process. Very good stuff.

As for respiratory issues Try Anise seed tea is effective in treating respiratory irritation like bronchitis. Coupled with the calming effects of lavender and the anti-inflammatory benefit of red clover and rooibos. This tea helps soothe an irritated respiratory system. Contains Red clover, Red rooibos, Star anise seed. Very good for the bird.

 

[Bandespresso]

Good news everyone! Espresso was given a clean bill of health today. No surgery and no more antibiotics thank goodness. The calcium did the trick which is a massive relief. AND she's up to 383g on an empty crop (she came to me under 350 and was at 373 last visit)

 

[Terry57]

That's great news! Thank goodness no surgery was needed.

 

[RavensGryf]

That's good news Brittany! Always such a relief when a treatment works, especially avoiding surgery.

 

[Piasa]

Glad to hear an update on Espresso and that she's doing better. What a scary ordeal. The info you shared about the calcium deficiency is really good to be aware of.

 

[Bandespresso]

Thank you all! I'm so glad she is okay. it was a very scary ordeal and I am so glad it is over.