Sick?! Amazon, please help!

[Clueless]

We hired a van and brought him in his cage. Just a quick question - does he need to be put under anaesthetic to take blood?

Thanks

Make sure you go to an AVIAN certified vet. See what they advise. The one I go to doesn't need to for my birds. The first vet that Secret saw didn't either. However, in hind sight, Secret had some issues at that time during the visitBUT he was experienced and handled it fine.....He just didn't mention it to me at the time.

I've read on the forums that some vets do that to reduce stress on the bird though.

If you give us the general area you are in, members may be able to give feedbacks on vets in your area.

 

[Clueless]

Whatever you do, be careful on transport if you do this WITHOUT a cage. Birds can get lift and fly even if their wings are clipped. Also, they can get grabbed by hawks or other large birds if not protected by a cage.

Here is the travel cage that I own for each of mine. I'm intending a lifetime with my guys and I was able to afford them. There are other carriers out there.

can't link. Kings aluminum medium. Think it's 1719 model???

 

[amazon19]

He's just had a bit of a 'turn' I managed to capture it on video but can't seem to upload it here.

 

[expressmailtome]

He's just had a bit of a 'turn' I managed to capture it on video but can't seem to upload it here.

Here is a link to the thread that explains how to post a video: How To: Post a Picture / Video | Avian Avenue Parrot Forum .

 

[Gen120]

I agree, it doesn't sound like it's behavioral to me. It sounds like seizures or other neurological issues. Take him to the vet and let us know what they say. Do you have a pet carrier like a dog carrier or cat carrier? If he likes certain foods, like almonds etc you could lure him into the carrier using those. But, I agree- he will get over it fairly quickly I'm sure. But he definately needs to go, TODAY. The fact that he seems disoriented means it's not just behavioral, JMHO.

 

[amazon19]

Here we go, this is only a mild one of his ''turns'

The foot nearest the camera is usually the one he loses control of, you can see it's sort of limp. He was singing and whistling seconds before this was taken

 

[Fergus Mom]

Hoping he will be okay after seeing the vet!

 

[amazon19]

I've just spoken to the actual vet that I'm supposed to see tomorrow (in Rhyl) and he told me that it sounds too complicated for what they deal with and he can't help or run any tests

 

[CrazyBirdChick]

There was a black headed caique who did something that looked similar a couple of years ago but I can't find that thread and I don't remember if the owner ever came back to update us. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

Eta* I did find it but I'm not sure that it's the same thing. Urgent - Caique with Fainting or Seizure - With Video - No Vet Dx | Avian Avenue Parrot Forum Unfortunately the owner did not come back with an update

 

[melissasparrots]

Depending on the vet, they may or may not put him under for blood work. When I have to take my aggressive male amazon to the vet, I towel him and put him in a small dog transport crate that I use only for birds so they aren’t exposed to dog germs.

 

[tka]

Whereabouts are you? If you're planning to see a vet in Rhyl, does that mean you're in Wales/NW England? If you can get to Northwich then Avian Veterinary Services come highly recommended: their website is avianveterinaryservices.co.uk

Cheshire Pet also have an exotics specialist: Your Local Holmes Chapel Vets - Cheshire Pet

If you're in South Wales, the Origin Vets have partnerships with various vet surgeries - worth getting in touch with them: Origin Vets | Dedicated veterinary care for Zoo, Avian, Aquatic and Unusual Pets.

 

[amazon19]

I live in Anglesey. The vet I spoke to in Rhyl said that it will cost thousands just to find out what's wrong with him!

 

[sunnysmom]

I live in Anglesey. The vet I spoke to in Rhyl said that it will cost thousands just to find out what's wrong with him!

I would check with another vet. Basic testing- gram stain, blood work, etc should not be nearly that much. Although treatment can be expensive depending on what it is, testing shouldn't be, I don't think.

@enigma731 ?

 

[amazon19]

I didn't think it would be that much. The receptionist made an appointment when I phoned this morning, but when I spoke to the actual vet this afternoon he said he wouldn't do blood tests or anything because it's too complex. He said there's a good vet in Gloucester, which is about four hours away from us.

I asked what he thought it could be and he said not sure, maybe epilepsy, maybe brain tumor, either way there's not that much that can be done and it will cost you thousands to even get to that point of diagnosis. That was it really. Disappointing

 

[enigma731]

I would check with another vet. Basic testing- gram stain, blood work, etc should not be nearly that much. Although treatment can be expensive depending on what it is, testing shouldn't be, I don't think.

@enigma731 ?

I mean, that's probably realistic for a full diagnostic workup up on a large bird. You can ask to start with cheaper tests like bloodwork, but if you end up having to get other diagnostics like imaging, it will be expensive. Unfortunately it sounds like he really needs a full workup.

 

[Hankmacaw]

Something just occurred to me. Birds are diagnosed with Vitamin A deficiency more than any other disease. DO NOT GVE HIM SUPPLEMENTAL VITAMINS. Make sure his diet is high in Orange vegetables - sweet potato or yams, carrots, spinach, squash, papaya, boiled eggs (no more than once a week), kale. Do not feed him any meat as it is very difficult for parrots to digest.

Butternut squash - Google Search

 

[melissasparrots]

Here in the Midwest USA I could get blood chem, X-ray, CBC and culture for $300-$500. Seizures can be very treatable in birds. Heavy metal poisoning and calcium deficiencies come to mind as treatable problems that bloodwork can diagnose.

 

[Clueless]

I asked what he thought it could be and he said not sure, maybe epilepsy, maybe brain tumor, either way there's not that much that can be done and it will cost you thousands to even get to that point of diagnosis. That was it really. Disappointing

I was quoted a huge fee initially by a vet. She quoted that based on everything out there! Darn near discouraged me from ever taking either of them in.

Because of the bird club here and Avian Avenue members, I knew it was necessary to at least get basic blood tests and weight. I started with blood tests and a physical exam. I did turn down some tests they wanted to run.

When Secret's counts climbed high, I got an xray to see how far we needed to go. The bird is now on medication and a low fat diet.

If yours has epilepsy, wouldn't there be medication they could put him on? Does every seizure do damage? My brother-in-law had brain surgery because his drs said each seizure was doing damage to his brain.

@Macawnutz or @Hankmacaw what is that basic blood test called? Can you give the OP the order of testing you would do?

@amazon19 ask for a breakdown of costs when you call the vet for an appointment. That will help you to know what you are facing and YES you can say no to tests but be aware of what each test will tell you. Ask here. You can even post blood test results here if you want.

 

[Hankmacaw]

This is an excellent layman's article about seizures in parrots.
Seizures in Birds | VCA Animal Hospital

Phenobarbitol is commonly given to parrots with chronic seizures.

That vet you talked to P***es me off. A good vet will start from the basics, get results and ignore anything that doesn't apply and only test farther where the original tests point. And anyone who claims to be a veterinarian doesn't give up before he even starts. Pffft - I'm mad now. My vet happens to be an amazing diagnostician and there are others like that out there.

 

[Hankmacaw]

PS - Your baby is a out and out beauty. What is his name?