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Another Max update and we have definitive answers

Jenphilly

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Our Valentines was a Max Philly day. Update is about as positive as we could expect, outside of a miracle and everything is back to normal!
Max only had 25 ml of fluid removed, which is great! Weehe before he had 70ml removed in about the same time frame between taps. So that's great news in and of itself.

He was knocked out to allow for an indepth ultrasound. Vital organs all look great!! Heart is not enlarged at all like the Allentown group said it was. Liver and kidneys are normal, and the blood test for both came back normal from last week, so all of that is best news we could have hoped for.

There is a large growth on 'her' newly discovered ovaries/follicles. But, 99% certain it is a cyst. We've had blood, fecal and 2 cytology labs run and absolutely no markers for cancer, and that is absolutely the best news of all.

So where does all this put us, besides a massive vet bill? Next 3 weeks focus is antibiotics to knock out wherever the infection is hiding, his spleen and WBC tell us there's definitely infection involved, most likely associated with the cyst / ovaries as everything else looked on point. Lots of meds throughout the day... 2 antibiotics, anti inflsmmatory, anti nausea and an omega oil to help balance CBC levels. Will need at least weekly fluid taps and blood to monitor WBC and calcium levels. Once the infection is kicked and inflammation subsides (fluid linked), he will need surgery to remove those damn ovaries and cyst, he didn't want ovaries anyway, but that's a very delicate surgery... thankfully Dr Tyson has successfully performed this procedure (more than once!). So, while the day was mostly positive, the surgery is a worry, but literally it fixes the problem and Max will be good as new and ready for another 30 years or so with us.

This has definitely been a journey, and it's not over yet! Positive note, I'll have some new recipes to share for sneaking meds or just extra healthy foods to get him as strong and stable as possible for surgery next month!
 

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sunnysmom

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I am glad you got some answers and that it's fixable! Sending good thoughts for a speedy recovery and successful surgery.
 

April

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So glad that you have answers and a course of action now. Please keep us updated on your sweetie.
 

Pixiebeak

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Is the thinking she has yolk peritonitis ?

So happy to hear she is recovering :heart: :cheer:
 

Jenphilly

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Is the thinking she has yolk peritonitis ?

So happy to hear she is recovering :heart: :cheer:
No, definitely a large cystic growth on the newly found follicles. :p

But the fluid is similar to what is often found with yolk peritonitis. Once the WBC drops and the spleen stops overdrive mode causing it to be enlarged, they will go in and remove the cyst and what follicles they can safely remove. But for the moment it means we go in every 5-6 days for fluid drain. He was at my regular longtime avian vet last Friday and she pulled about 70cc, then we went back to Philly this Thursday they pulled another 90.
 

Jenphilly

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I don't want to keep posting new Max update threads so just adding here! He's been in twice in the last 7 days, first was just fluid drain at our regular avian vet, and she pulled 70cc. Then on Thursday we went back into Philly for a recheck. She pulled 90 more cc of fluid, and drew blood for CBC. We are in a holding pattern waiting for CBC to show some improvement, especially WBC and calcium levels. Once those levels are within or closer to normal, we will do quick xrays and another ultrasound to confirm the spleen is reducing as the body is not fighting insanely. When things look stable and safer for surgery, we can get the cystic growth and the offending follicles removed. He's on quite the daily load of meds, fingers crossed those are making a difference! Not really much update, nothing new, but Max is handling all the drive time and constant sticks very well!!

Keep those fingers crossed for us!!! :elefant:
 

Clueless

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Prayers up
 

TikiMyn

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Fingers crossed for both of you!:angel1:
 

Kassiani

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Prayers that her condition continues to improve and that the surgery will go well!
 

Jenphilly

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Latest bloodwork is back. WBC has a very minimal drop. Anemia is slightly improved. We are contuining with antibiotics, and still seeing one of the vets every 5-6 days for fluid drain. Chatted with the surgical specialist today and we are having a CT done to get a 'roadmap' for surgery. Once we have CT and Dr Tyson has full view of exactly what's where, we will plan the surgery. Outside of the fluid buildup, literally no signs anything wrong.... if you saw him you'd never believe me if I said he needs to see vet every 5 days or so or he'll literally suffocate in his own body..... I was hoping we'd have more progress by now, but the hormone treatment does not seem to be helping with reducing the size of the cystic growth. He's eating great and totally his usual self so we are all still very positive surgery will be a success and give Max another 30 plus years to be my favorite shadow :heart:
 

macawpower58

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Thanks for the update.
Hope the surgery gives him those 30 extra years to be your shadow.
 

Jenphilly

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Well today was a long a$$ day.... had to drop off the baby bunny boy, Dobby for his snip around 9 am in Quakertown. Then back home to strip the bun pen so it's good for him with incisions coming home. Then Max needed to see our regular avian vet, Dr Knight, at 2.... and her office is about an hour away. Walking out get the call from Qtown that Dobby is awake and ready to be picked up... so plan that for run home.... by time we get done at Dr Knight, I'm half fried.... did I mention we had a toilet overflow yesterday and part of garage was a kids splash pool? Decided it was a good night for frozen pizza, but of course none in freezers... so add that stop too. And another pit stop to drop off UPS boxes before I grab Dobby. Told Byron next time I plan 2 different animal Vets for same day, kick me in the butt!!!!

But maybe some positive update on Max! Today was Day 6 since his last drain, at which they pulled about 90cc, and that has been ballpark - been 70-120 each time. But today was barely 20!! She even tried 2 spots. Fluid is still clear, which is good. But fingers crossed that less fluid means the hormone implants and anti inflammatory are effectively reduced size of cystic growth which means less fluid! We are doing weight checks twice a day and when his weight is up about 50g that will be the indicator to get him in for another drain. Fingers crossed he won't need a drain again till Monday!

The 'bad' news... both of Max's Vets prefer we do a CT before they go in for surgery. Still worries that the ultrasounds and x-rays are just not showing everything, and no surprises are best plan when they open him up. The current joke is that the CT is a road map for the surgery. The bad part, the best vet and facility for this is in friggin NYC.... the only reasons I willingly go to NYC is a Broadway show or we are getting on a cruise ship!! Max better start throwing out a lot of 'love you momma' and 'you're a good boy momma' for this one.... so you're warned, lots more 'I NY' to come.... who wants to drive???

Starting weight for Max monitoring is 1.187kg, I'm sure I'll forget by tomorrow

Max and Byron color coordinating!! And the little lop boy, Dobby cause he's too cute!
 

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