So I recently got bloodwork done for both tiels. Ziggy is the picture of health, except for some high fat levels so we're adjusting his diet. Titus, on the other hand, is doing less well. I've posted before that Titus is very skinny, has been the entire time I have had him, and does not seem to either gain or lose weight. This is the first time I've been able to get bloodwork done, and the results are very high potassium, low protein, and low calcium. The vet took a few days to read and research what this could mean for him.
He said that based on his reading it seems that Titus isn't getting much nutrients from his food, especially protein. He thinks this most likely means an issue with his intestinal tract since his blood levels don't point to an issue with his liver or his kidneys. He said the only way to know for sure would be to cut him open and do a biopsy, but the doctor frankly doesn't think he would survive that.
He compared it to IBS in humans, and said that in a mammal the easy solution is steroids to reduce inflammation, but you can't give steroids to birds. So he wants to prescribe twice a day, two antibiotics and a probiotic and check back in in a couple weeks to see if he gains weight. Basically his body does not have the nutrients it needs to support itself. And he is afraid that if we don't fix it, we will just find him dead one day. Very scary!
I picked up his medicine today. It's .09mL of amoxicillin/clavulanate twice a day, .03mL Metronidazole twice a day, and Harrison's Fauna Flora probiotic to sprinkle on his food. Instructions are to use 1/3 of the 2 oz packet per day, which seems like a lot, but I am not a vet.
I just wanted to update you all, and see if you had any advice regarding anything in this situation. Thank you for always being there for us.
He said that based on his reading it seems that Titus isn't getting much nutrients from his food, especially protein. He thinks this most likely means an issue with his intestinal tract since his blood levels don't point to an issue with his liver or his kidneys. He said the only way to know for sure would be to cut him open and do a biopsy, but the doctor frankly doesn't think he would survive that.
He compared it to IBS in humans, and said that in a mammal the easy solution is steroids to reduce inflammation, but you can't give steroids to birds. So he wants to prescribe twice a day, two antibiotics and a probiotic and check back in in a couple weeks to see if he gains weight. Basically his body does not have the nutrients it needs to support itself. And he is afraid that if we don't fix it, we will just find him dead one day. Very scary!
I picked up his medicine today. It's .09mL of amoxicillin/clavulanate twice a day, .03mL Metronidazole twice a day, and Harrison's Fauna Flora probiotic to sprinkle on his food. Instructions are to use 1/3 of the 2 oz packet per day, which seems like a lot, but I am not a vet.
I just wanted to update you all, and see if you had any advice regarding anything in this situation. Thank you for always being there for us.
