Hi everyone.
We've had some time now to take in Mini's biopsy results, so I thought I'd give you all an update.
Mini has squamous cell carcinoma - in the tissue on the glottis. Because of the location, and Mini's small size, the usual treatment for this form of cancer - namely cutting it out - isn't really possible. Other options, including chemo and radiation - seem to have more disadvantages than advantages. We are still waiting for word from another avian specialist to see if it might be worth trying radiation or cryotherapy - but in general, it doesn't seem like there are really any viable options for treatment.
Mini is getting a pain killer and an anti inflammatory 2x per day to make breathing and eating easier and hopefully to ease any pain. He had 2 weeks of anti biotic - we stopped that today and hopefully the secondary infection is gone. We're learning to swab out the back of his throat to remove any mucus and saliva that accumulates.
He seems to be feeling much better than he was a few weeks ago. He still sleeps more than 'normal' - and does a lot of neck stretching to get food to pass. I think I've been seeing some tail bobbing too, but it is hard to tell. Right now he is playing hide and seek with me - running behind the computer keyboard and out the other side - his favorite game. He's still taking daily baths in the water bowl and I think he'd eat until all the food in the house was gone.
The vet says that with this illness nothing is going to happen quickly - which is both good and bad I suppose. It is hard to know that the little thing is ill and there just isn't all that much we can do. It makes me very sad...
If anyone has any first hand experience with this kidn of illness I'd love to hear from you. I'm also interested in any holistic therapies that might help to ease pain.
I wish I had a better update - but that's it. Mini says "hello" and "squidgit" (his usual conure call) - and is currently trying to get a freckle off of my neck. He's been working on that for about 9 years...
Thanks to everyone for all your kindness and support.
Cecily
We've had some time now to take in Mini's biopsy results, so I thought I'd give you all an update.
Mini has squamous cell carcinoma - in the tissue on the glottis. Because of the location, and Mini's small size, the usual treatment for this form of cancer - namely cutting it out - isn't really possible. Other options, including chemo and radiation - seem to have more disadvantages than advantages. We are still waiting for word from another avian specialist to see if it might be worth trying radiation or cryotherapy - but in general, it doesn't seem like there are really any viable options for treatment.
Mini is getting a pain killer and an anti inflammatory 2x per day to make breathing and eating easier and hopefully to ease any pain. He had 2 weeks of anti biotic - we stopped that today and hopefully the secondary infection is gone. We're learning to swab out the back of his throat to remove any mucus and saliva that accumulates.
He seems to be feeling much better than he was a few weeks ago. He still sleeps more than 'normal' - and does a lot of neck stretching to get food to pass. I think I've been seeing some tail bobbing too, but it is hard to tell. Right now he is playing hide and seek with me - running behind the computer keyboard and out the other side - his favorite game. He's still taking daily baths in the water bowl and I think he'd eat until all the food in the house was gone.
The vet says that with this illness nothing is going to happen quickly - which is both good and bad I suppose. It is hard to know that the little thing is ill and there just isn't all that much we can do. It makes me very sad...
If anyone has any first hand experience with this kidn of illness I'd love to hear from you. I'm also interested in any holistic therapies that might help to ease pain.
I wish I had a better update - but that's it. Mini says "hello" and "squidgit" (his usual conure call) - and is currently trying to get a freckle off of my neck. He's been working on that for about 9 years...
Thanks to everyone for all your kindness and support.
Cecily
I am so sorry for the bad news. I don't have any advice, just wanted to send you some 
