Mutilating Congo, need help

[Hankmacaw]

Calcification at the joints, but not all arthritis would be very obvious on xrays (and she must have has xrays). Dr. Driggers told me a long time ago that arthritis does not present the same in birds as in humans and that calcification does not always occur.

Celebrex is an excellent substitute for metacam - have never heard of a bird reacting to metacam, other than drowsiness the first few days. It's easy to switch to Celebrex.

Pharmacotherapeutics in Companion Birds: An Update and Review - WSAVA2006 - VIN

www.vin.com

'NSAIDs can be use to relieve musculoskeletal and visceral pain, acute pain (trauma or surgical), and chronic pain such as osteoarthritis. Although the most common NSAIDs used in avian medicine are ketoprofen, carprofen, and meloxicam, the latter two are preferred because of their widespread use and low incidence of reported toxicities."

 

[Sock]

I was hoping that the local vet that does care about Molly, would consult with a specialist.
Can'[t post the video but watching Molly drag her leg is awful!!!
She lived at the vets in one of those Elizabethian Plastic Collars, while they do work, she still is suffering from what ails her and that would be miserable!

Okay. One vet said “ it must be arthritis “ and the other vet said calcification at the joints

One said NO calcification at joints after xray

 

[webchirp]

That sounds very similar to the struggles with Giggie but it is both of her legs. When her ovaries swell, it causes reduced flow to her legs. I actually adjust the gabapentin over time to the instances of chewing until she gets relief. Dr. Orosz recently put her on sildenaphil and isoxsuprine for the blood flow issue. I highly recommend a consult from her vet to Dr. Orosz. No reason not to be trying different meds to increase blood flow. I also recommend celebrex for pain as well.

 

[Danita]

That sounds very similar to the struggles with Giggie but it is both of her legs. When her ovaries swell, it causes reduced flow to her legs. I actually adjust the gabapentin over time to the instances of chewing until she gets relief. Dr. Orosz recently put her on sildenaphil and isoxsuprine for the blood flow issue. I highly recommend a consult from her vet to Dr. Orosz. No reason not to be trying different meds to increase blood flow. I also recommend celebrex for pain as well.

Did she chew her legs?

 

[Sock]

Thank you all for your help. I will let you know what happens at this vet next week and hit her with many questions.....

 

[webchirp]

Did she chew her legs?

Yes and her feet and under her one wing. She usually starts by peeling the skin off her feet.

 

[Sock]

Ok, so here is the deal. #1 - apparently my baby is overweight (538 gms) #2 - apparently African Greys are the #1 for having atherosclerosis and should not eat any seeds, nuts or animal based products. Her heart is enlarged and has plaque build up, which is main reason for neuropathy in leg. #3 - she said my baby's life expectancy is about 3 to 10 years, due to the severe heart and vessel damage. She is on 2 different heart meds now and I will be changing her to a full pellet and fresh food diet (hahahaha!)

 

[Shezbug]

Sad and good news....... sad the damage is there but great you have some knowledge of what is going on so you can work towards introducing some changes to better her future.

 

[webchirp]

Ok, so here is the deal. #1 - apparently my baby is overweight (538 gms) #2 - apparently African Greys are the #1 for having atherosclerosis and should not eat any seeds, nuts or animal based products. Her heart is enlarged and has plaque build up, which is main reason for neuropathy in leg. #3 - she said my baby's life expectancy is about 3 to 10 years, due to the severe heart and vessel damage. She is on 2 different heart meds now and I will be changing her to a full pellet and fresh food diet (hahahaha!)

I’m sorry but I’m glad you have more answers. Hugs and prayers.

 

[Hankmacaw]

Ok, so here is the deal. #1 - apparently my baby is overweight (538 gms) #2 - apparently African Greys are the #1 for having atherosclerosis and should not eat any seeds, nuts or animal based products. Her heart is enlarged and has plaque build up, which is main reason for neuropathy in leg. #3 - she said my baby's life expectancy is about 3 to 10 years, due to the severe heart and vessel damage. She is on 2 different heart meds now and I will be changing her to a full pellet and fresh food diet

Your baby's condition is very similar to my Jasper's. Jasper has congestive heart failure and severe atherosclerosis. She was diagnosed at 6 1/2 years old when I got her. Her diet befor blonging to me was horrible. At that time the Dr. said that she would probably die in about five years - she's still alive today 21 years later.

I was very suspicious of atherosclerosis and heart issues when you said that she hardly bled. It will be a struggles and there will be times that you will be horribly discouraged, there is hope and the hope is real. Folllow your vet's lead and be a great nurse and you will have the company of your baby for many years.

 

[Sock]

An update on my baby..... she has tested positive for bornavirus. Vet says she has probably had it for years and it will also account for tingling and slight pain in her legs. She is taking Molly off Metacam and putting her on something I can't remember right now. She will also have an echocardiogram in July to see if the heart meds are working and the plaque and cholesterol is dissolving in her arteries. If not, different meds..... if so, staying the course.

 

[Hankmacaw]

She is probably putting her on Celebrex or Onsior, both used a lot for ABV.

My vet has told me time after time that the results of plaque build up cannot be reversed, only managed. I am interested in knowing what her vet is doing to reverse the heart occlusion and atherosclosis.

 

[Sock]

To start biomega usana to help with cholesterol build up and overall heart health and Isoxsuprine to help with blood flow/vasodilator. She is waiting for the echocardiogram to administer any other meds

 

[Hankmacaw]

The Biommega Usana is a source of Omega 3 (I give Flax seed oil for that) and the Isoxorine is as you stated. I give Sildenafil as a vasodialator and for reduction of blood pressure. Exercise and diet are also big parts of her treatment. My Dr. has consistently told me that atherosclerosis and occlusions in her heart cannot be reversed.

 

[MisfitHouse]

@Macawnutz
Hi Everyone,
I have been trying to help this grey for months now. I feel like every time she goes to the vet with Molly, the vets just take her money with no resolution.
The grey is really bad off. She takes the Metacam, but it makes her aggressive. She has been on Gabapentin, but it makes her something else.
She can't use her leg. She drags it, so sad!!
I'll post pics here, let me get them.
I asked Sock to join here so she can guidance.

I can so feel her pain! We have a BE2 that no one seems to have an answer for his sudden onset mutilating! And I have had to do my own research and advocate STRONGLY for tests we want done. Wenare in process of ruling out different conditions that cause chest mutilating. No thanks to the frickin' vets!
What area is she in? She could gather all the test results and records and scan them and pay for a phone consultation with a fellows certified avian vet specialist possibly? You can do a search thru the avian vet organization Association of Avian Veterinarians . Also there is Dr. Ford in WI - About Us - Avian Specialty Veterinary Services . I've never used him - yet. I know I'm NOT happy with my vets at Niles Animal Hospital or Chicago Exotics. One doesn't seem to know enough or follow through and the other seems to just want to soak my pocketbook and almost killed my bird due to not catching metal toxicity symptoms! I really liked Dr. Huber, in Corona CA (we moved from there) though I don't think he is a board specialist? He knew his stuff and had a great table-side manner with my birds. We're actually considering doing a phone consult with him next! Good luck. I hope this burt finds healing very soon!

 

[macawpower58]

@Danita Are there any updates?