Hello. Our Galah cockatoo has been exhibiting sings of PDD, Avian Ganglioneuritis, and is currently undergoing testing at the vet to determine if he is positive or not. We noticed watery poops and took him for labs back in September where the labs for bornavirus and antibodies both came back negative. It's now been three months and he continues to have watery poops, and an x-ray today verified that he has a slightly-enlarged aspect of his digestive track. The doctor told us that in advanced cases the enlargement is much more severe, but in this case, it's only a small enlargement.......he said it could be nothing, or could be a very early sign of PDD / ganglioneuritis. He took another antibody test today, as well as a few stool labs. I was a bit surprised to learn that the antibody test result is yes/no, but that it is based on scale where you need X concentration of antibodies to trigger a positive result. Dr. said it's possible that back in Sept the level may have been too low, or that it may be something else completely causing the symptoms. He has also been exhibiting some very light picking at the features on his chest, under-wing and ankles, though he is nearing the end of a molt, so could be unrelated. So many unanswered questions.
At this point I'm very worried that it's PDD / avian ganglioneuritis, but if there is a silver lining, it would seem things have been caught early (whatever the illness is). In the case of PDD / AG; is this a death sentence? Are there cases of birds living long, full lives with proper treatment if caught early........decades? Or is it just a matter of time (months, a couple years) with that disease regardless of treatment? Just looking for some basic info from folks who have have experienced this......I've read everything I can find online, more looking for real experience from real people.
Keeping fingers crossed that it is nothing or somthing simple, but also trying to collect information and prepare for whatever is to come.
Thank you all.
At this point I'm very worried that it's PDD / avian ganglioneuritis, but if there is a silver lining, it would seem things have been caught early (whatever the illness is). In the case of PDD / AG; is this a death sentence? Are there cases of birds living long, full lives with proper treatment if caught early........decades? Or is it just a matter of time (months, a couple years) with that disease regardless of treatment? Just looking for some basic info from folks who have have experienced this......I've read everything I can find online, more looking for real experience from real people.
Keeping fingers crossed that it is nothing or somthing simple, but also trying to collect information and prepare for whatever is to come.
Thank you all.
