Roxie pooped out worms...

[lovecoco]

Okay, so as I've stated before I adopted Roxie a month ago from a local shelter. I took her in for a vet check a day after I got her and i was supposed to take a sample of her droppings back and I took longer than I should have. This whole month I have been cleaning up poop that seemed a bit coiled, which some was poop but I think some were also worms. Turns out that today she pooped out a worm and i was soooooo nervous. I love Roxie but I do not like bugs or worms (especially if it's a parasite.) I think I had a bit of a nervous attack since I have kids and nerves just took over. I found an awesome clinic that was open on Sunday and I was able to take her. I also brought in the worm and It looks like bird droppings but it was for sure a worm. The vet is sending to a lab to confirm what kind (thought maybe tapeworm) but either way he gave her a dewormer (Droncit) and I need to go back in 2 weeks for another dose. He said she might pass more in next few days and I can honestly say I'm not looking forward to that. I'm just glad I was able to get her to the vet. She is such a sweet bird and everyone there commented on how nice she seemed. That made me feel good since I feel we've definitely been bonding. I hope she is okay and I will update when I find out what parasite it was. No fun

 

[Flboy]

Nothing to offer,but I have been following your baby. Praying for her!

 

[MyFlock]

If it is a worm it's probably ascaris roundworm. I think they can pick them up outside in dirt or from unwashed veggies/fruits- btw- humans can too! So wash your fruits and veggies throughly!

 

[Doublete]

Ewwwwwwwe.....

 

[Newbsi]

Im sorry. I freak out about parasites too. Watched too many episodes of Monsters Inside Us.
NOW you have ME freaking out because I got Gollum a month ago and took her to get a fecal test and it was negative.... now I wonder if I should do it again!

 

[henpecked]

There's 3 different types of worms that birds get. they are treated with different meds. Crazy to start treatment if they don't know what type.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Now I'm nervous! I let Amy walk thru the grass when we go outside and she loves to pick at twigs and "this and that" in the grass..Going to have to look closely at her do-do now




Jim

 

[Kiwibird]

I'm surprised the vet began treatment before the results were backs. Worms need to be treated, but aren't typically acutely fatal. The good news is, she should be completely fine after her course of the correct meds and that while gross, they aren't the worst thing a parrot can get infected with. Parasitic worms are everywhere, and any animal (humans included) can pick them up pretty much anywhere. It's not the end of the world. Just be glad you noticed it (this is why it's important to examine their poops) and got her to a vet to be treated

My dads goffin got worms once, he was treated and has been fine since (never gotten worms again either). It happens.

 

[Kiwibird]

Now I'm nervous! I let Amy walk thru the grass when we go outside and she loves to pick at twigs and "this and that" in the grass..Going to have to look closely at her do-do now




Jim

I wouldn't let her play in mud or something like that, but parrots live outdoors in nature and are equipped to handle being outside. It's perfectly natural! Being exposed to the "dirt" of the outdoors builds a good, healthy immune system IMO. Kind of like how kids who play outside in the dirt don't get sick as often as the ones who stay inside their sterilized top-to-bottom houses all the time

I would keep her out of grass dogs frequent though (like a public park). That stuff is so saturated with urine and even if they pick up the poop in a bag, theres plenty of residue left. "Clean" grass only for parrots!

 

[SailBoat]

Being a good parent of an Amazon requires keeping a daily track of the overall appearance of their poop.

Let's face it, there is a whole lot of things that good parents of Amazons need to do that just should not come up in general conversation with non-parrot people. If you're new to parrot parenting, you will quickly pick-up on what is and what is not talked about with non-parrot people.

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

Im sorry. I freak out about parasites too. Watched too many episodes of Monsters Inside Us.
NOW you have ME freaking out because I got Gollum a month ago and took her to get a fecal test and it was negative.... now I wonder if I should do it again!

Yup, first thing I thought of was that show.


I hope the bird is okay and safe. Keep an eye out and us updated.

 

[lovecoco]

thanks for all the the responses. And yes, my fear was, "oh no, will I get them"
I think that was just nerves. I mean, I always wash my hands and I've been cleaning cages and areas with no worry for the past month,but then your mind starts messing with you and you just end up feeling paranoid. I kiss her beak so I did worry. You just never know. She looks good and today she hasn't pooped as much as she usually does, so hopefully something's working. I wanted to post this thread because when I saw the worm I couldn't find threads on it and just in case it happens to someone else, they will have something to go by. The doctor wasn't sure what kind it was but said it looked like a tapeworm but wanted to confirm so sent to the lab. I should get lab results tomorrow. I will update when I find out.

 

[Dinosrawr]

You would have to either ingest the larvae that were in the fecal droppings or have eaten the same contaminated food as well. And generally, in anything with a bi-directional breathing system (in-out), Ascaris will use a "bronchial escalator" method to complete their life cycle in the human gut. So unless you've been coughing a LOT, and your "droppings" are normal, then I'd say you're safe

I hope that your baby recovers fully and that you'll be informed of what she was infected with so that you'll know where to go from there!