prolapse?

[congobongo]

My U2 has presented with a prolapse out of the vent. My first Too had this and I paid for the surgery and she died from it. I didn't know if I should blame it on the Avian Vet or just let it go.

The nightmare that my baby U2 that I raised and handfed has this is just unreal.

What can I do? Someone help me.

 

[IcyWolf]

I'm very sorry what happened to your other cockatoo but you cannot just let a prolapse go, I would try to find a better vet and get him/her there asap.

 

[merlinsmom13]

How awful for you & your bird. Do you live near a teaching vet hospital? Maybe a vet who specializes in surgery would be better. I'm hoping for the best, keep us posted.

 

[Pedro]

I think the best bet is to see an avian vet. I am assuming your U2 is a hen, has matured & has or about to lay. If it's a very young bird have your vet look at it ASAP.
At least then you will know the cause & maybe avoid it in the future.

This link may help. http://www.birds-online.de/gesundheit/gessonstiges/legenot_en.htm

 

[Bullitr]

My macaw have a prolapsed too few days after i adopted it because of poor diet.
I just use a ky jelly and slowly push it in

 

[Molcan2]

I'm sorry that you lost a bird to this before. It may not have been your vet's fault though. This can be a life threaten condition all on its own, you need to know what is causing the prolapse in the first place (egg bound, large tumor pushing it out, etc.). There is ALWAYS a risk when anything, animal or human, is put under anesthesia. There is a risk of losing a completely healthy animal under anesthesia that has no history of any health problems, much less one that has been compromised. There is always a risk for infection when ANY internal organ becomes external. Infections can be simple or complex, if the infection gets into the blood stream and the animal becomes septic your risk for loosing that animal dramatically increase, add anesthesia to that mix and you have created a nightmare for even the most skilled veterinarian. Prolapses can be simple and they can be extremely complex. Depending on the severity and causative factors depends on if it can be fixed. I know that this is probably a tough time for you but you risk loosing your bird without immediate veterinarian treatment. When you stack the odds of loosing your bird to the prolapse (infection, whatever the underlying cause is for the prolapse) and the odds of loosing your bird under anesthesia, at least with the anesthesia option you attempted everything you could do to save your bird. If the risk is loosing your bird without treatment, then what would stop you from trying treatment, if the outcome is grim without veterinary intervention.

 

[Remy]

I'd have to agree with Molcan2 here... Do some research to find the right vet, of course, but it sounds like it should definitely see one...

 

[tanyamitchellrn]

“I just use a ky jelly and slowly push it in “
This is what my AV told me to do.







Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tanyamitchellrn]

I adopted a U2 who has a prolapsed vent. Her name is Kaya.

History: I love her so much and did lots of research before adopting her. Her owner died and she was found perched on him and crying. They sutured her vent shut for a few weeks which helped. It simply won’t stay in. We took her to the vet and was instructed to lube a gloved dinger and shove it back up in there when it happens. I’m an ER nurse so a bird booty doesn’t bother me. However....

Concern: I can’t find any info on how to control the mess of leaking. Kaya is SUPER affectionate and needs to be held a lot. However, as we speak, her butt is leaking juices all over my arm. I have baby wipes in every room of my house.

Thoughts: I decided to try a flight suit to catch the slime when I hold her. She conditioned well to it and wears it willingly. What are your thoughts on this? Do you feel it’s bad for her to wear this when held for extended amounts of time?

It’s amazing how well she has transitioned into our home! She’s perfect. Just has a slime problem that I’d like to control to make our time together more pleasant.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Scott]

I have never heard of this procedure, but never confronted a bird with prolapse. Assuming the vet is an experienced certified avian vet? Not to impugn Kaya's vet without knowledge, but many "exotic" or "avian" vets advertise the title without the certification and equipment. For prolapse, the very best practitioner is needed.

Kaya's story is so sad, but you've given her new life!

 

[tanyamitchellrn]

I know she’s an active member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians. I’m not sure if she’s certified or not though. Hmmmm. I’m going to look into that because perhaps there is more we could be doing for her. What are your thoughts on the general wearing of flight suits?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LordTriggs]

the only thing with the flight suit is it contains the bacteria from the leakage which will brush against her vent. I could see an infection being highly likely wearing it for prolonged periods but I will say I'm no medical professional, maybe discuss it with the vet (after checking certification) and see what they say

 

[Mr787]

“I just use a ky jelly and slowly push it in “


That's what she said!
LOL I couldn't resist...

 

[Kiwibird]

Poor Kaya She is so fortunate to have found someone who is so willing to work around her condition! She looks like an otherwise happy and healthy girl. How old is she? I think so long as she's adapted well and is not stressed or upset at wearing the flight suit while cuddling, it should be fine for her to wear when she's out and hanging out with you. I'm assuming you change whatever lines the diaper frequently and bathe her regularly to get any...grossness off her feathers (or as much as possible with this kind of condition)? It may also not be a bad idea to have a second flight suit on hand in case her the first one gets too soiled so she can still be out and wearing a clean diaper. When she's in her cage or on her play stand (or wherever it wouldn't be any issue for bird poo to be) she shouldn't be in it to give her the ability to preen herself and be unrestricted for playing.

I do think you owe it to her to be certain that the course of action you're currently taking with pushing the prolapsed vent back in when it falls out and keeping her diapered when hanging out is really the best option. I'd be getting a second opinion and looking into avian vets within a few hours drive of my home who may be more experienced with this condition and permanent treatment options (if they exist). Even if there is nothing more to be done, at least you tried and you seem to have found a reasonable work-around to keep her active and social with your family despite her condition. As an added bonus, come summer (warm temps), her being so comfortable in the flight suit means you can clip on a leash and get her outdoors into the fresh air and sunshine safely! I bet she would really enjoy that

One more thought I had- If it were my bird having this issue with no prospect of corrective surgery, I'd be making/buying some easily changeable washable diaper liners using a material called ZORB in the core (which is what they use in most of the newer designed cloth diapers). Zorb is made to instantly absorb any liquids in and trap them there until washed. I would assume washing them as per guidelines for cloth diapers would keep them sanitary and the liners could be changed frequently to keep whatever is leaking out of her off her feathers as much as possible. I bet someone who makes cloth diapers for infants on Etsy could help custom make diaper liners for her flight suit that are more suited to a bird with this kind of medical condition who's wearing a diaper for extended periods. Also, since nothing but water should ever go on a birds plumage (except with explicit instructions from an AV), you might want to invest in some flannel baby wipes that can be wetted down with water as well to wipe her butt area with if the leakage gets on her feathers, as disposable wipes for babies would not be bird safe and paper towels would leave lint/paper residue on the feathers. Of course she should be getting frequent (possibly daily with her condition) baths to keep her vent area as clean and comfortable as possible for her.

 

[Scott]

I know she’s an active member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians. I’m not sure if she’s certified or not though. Hmmmm. I’m going to look into that because perhaps there is more we could be doing for her. What are your thoughts on the general wearing of flight suits?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A second opinion from the most qualified CAV (certified avian vet) would be helpful. Prolapse is very difficult to manage. While your professional expertise is ideally suited for the task, there may be some cutting-edge and well proven therapies to consider.

I have no experience with flight suits as my locale is rife with raptors! The excellent preceding post by Kiwibird says it all!!

 

[tanyamitchellrn]

Thank you so much for the advice kiwibird! My pretty Kaya (she says that all the time) is only 13 years old. She does well with the suit but I limit her wearing it to about an hour a day. The rest of the time I leave her open to drain and preen. In fact the suit gives her tail feathers a minute to dry, as they are continually being slimed. I can’t wait to get her in the summer sun!
Thank you also for the info on ZORB. I’ll hop on Etsy and see if I can find someone to make that for me. For now I just put a panty liner in the suit since she only wears it short term, but if there is no definitive treatment and we wear the suit more often, I think the liners and multiple suits is a great idea. And flannel wipes are an exceptional idea. The baby wipes coming in contact with the prolapsed tissue can’t be a good idea and I’d like to minimize that so, again, thank you!
As far as the vet, I will definitely seek a second CERTIFIED opinion ASAP. I will keep everyone posted if I find there are more advanced treatment options and what the CAV had to say. I love Kaya and although her butt is broken, she has a long life ahead of her and I plan on making it an exceptional life for her! Thanks everyone!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Kentuckienne]

I adopted a U2 who has a prolapsed vent. Her name is Kaya.

History: I love her so much and did lots of research before adopting her. Her owner died and she was found perched on him and crying. They sutured her vent shut for a few weeks which helped. It simply won’t stay in. We took her to the vet and was instructed to lube a gloved dinger and shove it back up in there when it happens. I’m an ER nurse so a bird booty doesn’t bother me. However....

Concern: I can’t find any info on how to control the mess of leaking. Kaya is SUPER affectionate and needs to be held a lot. However, as we speak, her butt is leaking juices all over my arm. I have baby wipes in every room of my house.

Thoughts: I decided to try a flight suit to catch the slime when I hold her. She conditioned well to it and wears it willingly. What are your thoughts on this? Do you feel it’s bad for her to wear this when held for extended amounts of time?

It’s amazing how well she has transitioned into our home! She’s perfect. Just has a slime problem that I’d like to control to make our time together more pleasant.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What a story! Poor thing. OK, and squeamish men can stop reading now ... but how about using small panty liners for inside the diaper suit? They make really tiny ones.

 

[Kiwibird]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What a story! Poor thing. OK, and squeamish men can stop reading now ... but how about using small panty liners for inside the diaper suit? They make really tiny ones.

[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't personally feel safe putting traditional disposable feminine products near a parrot knowing how sensitive they are to chemicals, especially not in prolonged contact with exposed internal tissues like this bird has. There are so many nasty chemicals in them, dioxin being the most concerning of all:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mercola/feminine-hygiene-products_b_3359581.html

 

[Kiwibird]

Thank you so much for the advice kiwibird! My pretty Kaya (she says that all the time) is only 13 years old. She does well with the suit but I limit her wearing it to about an hour a day. The rest of the time I leave her open to drain and preen. In fact the suit gives her tail feathers a minute to dry, as they are continually being slimed. I can’t wait to get her in the summer sun!
Thank you also for the info on ZORB. I’ll hop on Etsy and see if I can find someone to make that for me. For now I just put a panty liner in the suit since she only wears it short term, but if there is no definitive treatment and we wear the suit more often, I think the liners and multiple suits is a great idea. And flannel wipes are an exceptional idea. The baby wipes coming in contact with the prolapsed tissue can’t be a good idea and I’d like to minimize that so, again, thank you!
As far as the vet, I will definitely seek a second CERTIFIED opinion ASAP. I will keep everyone posted if I find there are more advanced treatment options and what the CAV had to say. I love Kaya and although her butt is broken, she has a long life ahead of her and I plan on making it an exceptional life for her! Thanks everyone!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I forgot to respond yesterday! I think that up to maybe 3 or so hours a day would be fine for her to be in the suit. It may even be more comfortable if she got an extended break from it running down her tail and time she could preen clean(er) tail feathers not soaked in poo/urine. There are some birds on the forum who wear "sweaters" or fleece preening collars 24/7 to help plucking/self mutilating issues and those birds (many of them cockatoos) seem to generally adapt well to constantly being "clothed". Since Kaya does have feathers on her body, she needs time out of it too but a couple hours a day shouldn't be anything to worry about. She does look like a sweetheart and she is so fortunate to have found a home so willing to work around her special needs. Keep up the good work!

Just a suggestion, but you may want to start a new thread about how you're handling and working around her prolapse problem. Especially if you find someone who can make the diaper inserts, maybe some photos of how the go in the diaper etc... Other people who have parrots with this problem could find it very helpful to see how others are handling it and what solutions you're using for her

 

[tanyamitchellrn]

Kaya is so happy to be home! As you've read before, Kaya is 13 and has a prolapsed vent. I took her to a large university that deals with special species and trains avian vets...

Now, we could have dealt with the prolapse and hoped for the best, but I HAD to know of there was more I could do. There was! They did blood work, CT scan, lower scope, metal sutures, and a hormone implant. $1,200 later she is all better for the next 5 months or so.

See, when they've been prolapsed a long time, they lose rectal tone and may never get it back. She will need these metal sutures in her vent replaced 2-3 times a year, and with them in place she can defecate like a normal bird. She will also need the hormone implant replaced twice a year. Expensive but worth it!

We learned a lot during her hospitalization! Here are a few things we learned...
1. Don't rub under the wing or on the body. It gets them excited. She loves it so this will be hard to break.
2. Don't bathe her anymore. Get feathers were getting brittle because the slimy poop caked her feathers ants then I had to bathe her twice a week to get it off. Not anymore! This is exciting because now her natural dust can become her cleaner.
3. Don't feed them warm foods. This can be considered a mate thing... mommy's will regurgitate warm food to feed their babies and the bird may associate warm foods with mating behavior.
4. No paper in the bottom of the cage. It promotes breeding and nesting behaviors. Im not sure what we will put in there now...
5. They should really have 12 hrs of darkness. We spend so much time with them that we assume they need what we need... not true.

Im going to look into pet insurance for her. She will be around a long time and I love the goofy bird!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk