Still working on Evie. After 5 weeks of some improvement on Meloxicam and Benadryl (mild symptoms every few days rather than daily), we managed to see another specialist in the area for a second (fourth) opinion. We were concerned that we were only treating the symptom of inflammation rather than whatever is causing it.
On initial look under a phase microscope, vet uncovered a few too many monocytes for comfort. Fungal infection is the primary suspicion, so she's been on Itraconazole for a week so far. Vet advised to take her off of the Meloxicam and Benadryl, but after a few days of repeated mild fits, I asked to resume the anti-inflammatories.
For other testing:
- Blood work came back good, WBC normal at about 3000. Only issue shown is calcium still on the low side.
- Enzyme issue was not present (her feathers have all grown back from the last vet)
- We redid all 4 of the psittacosis tests and they are negative.
- Still waiting another week or so on fungal cultures - all previous cultures had only been cultivated for 3 days, but apparently it takes a few weeks to grow. I don't know if I'm more afraid of positive or negative results...
Her behavior remains normal, her weight stable and mildly pudgy. She's getting a diet adjustment as well.