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Urgent My 35 year old double yellow head is showing signs of concussion

Gandolf

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1 week ago my bird flew off my handlebars and bounced head first off another bicycles front wheel . Seemed to have bounced back from temporary stun , but got real bad 3 days ago. Went to vet for a answer yesterday and got a liquid pain killer and a liquid non steroid anti inflammatory , no broken bones. Apitite came back when pain killer were given , but feet seized up completely in last 24 hours. Can’t perch at all and hangs out under couch for support . Only two doses of the non steroid anti inflammatory in 7 day regiment . I’m looking for for some input please . My 35 year old double yellow has never had a vet visit till now and I’m kinda freaking out . Should I be looking at a real steroid to ease head trauma? Thanks in advance . Scott
 

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Shezbug

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rocky'smom

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Yup my first thought too, back the vet a s a p
 

Hankmacaw

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Steroids are quite dangerous for birds and rarely given - lowers their immune system greatly giving infections and fungus an opportunity to take hold. There are numerous medications that are good anti-inflammatories. Including Metecam, Celebrex, Gabapentin.

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.

Oxygen therapy is also beneficial to a bird with a concussion.
 

Gandolf

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I really appreciate the feedback. Second day of Meloxicam 1.5 mg/ml suspended and Gabapentin 50 mg/ml suspended , every 12 hours . seems to be more alert but feet are still contracted . Guess I’m looking for another vet because this one wanted to run up bill with tests like mri’s and ct scans witch both call for sedation . How long do you think before I can see results from the Meloxicam ? , and any suggestions on vets in Los Angeles ? . Once again I thank you guys for your input . Till now I’ve never had bird issues , so I’m really in the dark for care stuff . Scott
 

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I’m sorry your bird was injured, it’s always a scary time. In this case, I think diagnostics are necessary. I know how much it runs up a bill, but even a great avian vet can’t just look at a bird and know what the trouble is unfortunately.

I have a macaw that wasn’t getting the proper testing he needed with a previous owner, and the vets just had to guess at treatment. Turned out the treatment was completely wrong and doing nothing to help. Once we did the recommended tests, we found out the real issue and could begin treating it for the first time accurately.

Also, sedation for parrots has come a long way recently and is fairly safe (allowing that any sedation to any species always carries some risk). My guy is sedated every 10 days right now for his procedures and does very well (if cranky) with it.
 

Hankmacaw

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Neural issues can take quite some time to resolve - nerves tissue once damaged does not repair quickly if at all. Right now the bird needs rest and quiet for several more days. Personally I believe your vet is doing exactly what needs to be done and the CTscan or MRI is called for to determine the extent of the concussion. She/he could have a slow brain bleed when considering that the symptoms are getting worse as time goes by. You can help the bird by stretching it's toes -BUT ONLY IF IF DOES NOT UPSET HIM.

He needs to be kept in a dark cool place and with as little activity as possible.

Sedation is very safe nowadays. I had two macaws who had sedation quite regularly and they were never adversely effected.
 

iamwhoiam

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You can search here for vets:
There are some exotic and avian specialists at ACCESS in Culver City. I've been to ACCESS with my dogs but not with my birds. Los Angeles - ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospitals
Never been here either: Birds & More | Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital, Hawthorne, California but I've read some positive things about Dr. Rosskopf.
Another possibility: Dr. Teresa Micco

Vets can do quick reverse sedation depending on the procedure. My red-bellied parrot has had a few x-rays taken and had to be lightly sedated but then the sedation was quickly reversed.
 

Gandolf

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You can search here for vets:
There are some exotic and avian specialists at ACCESS in Culver City. I've been to ACCESS with my dogs but not with my birds. Los Angeles - ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospitals
Never been here either: Birds & More | Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital, Hawthorne, California but I've read some positive things about Dr. Rosskopf.
Another possibility: Dr. Teresa Micco

Vets can do quick reverse sedation depending on the procedure. My red-bellied parrot has had a few x-rays taken and had to be lightly sedated but then the sedation was quickly reversed.
Access Culver City is where I went . Hopefully they can help my little buddy . Thank you for the links . Scott
 

Hankmacaw

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@Gandolf Just to make sure. How many ml of each, Meloxicam and Gabapentin, are you giving your bird at each medication time?
 

Gandolf

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@Gandolf Just to make sure. How many ml of each, Meloxicam and Gabapentin, are you giving your bird at each medication time?
Gabapentin 50 mg/ml suspended and Meloxicam 1.5 mg/ml suspended . Not sure why it sez mg/ml .
 

Hankmacaw

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@Gandolf What you are giving me is the concentration (i.e. there is 1.5 milligrams of Meloxicam in every millimeter of prescription in the bottle - that is the concentration of the prescription) of the prescriptions not the amount you are giving them. When you give the medications, how many ml do you put in the syringe of the Metacam and then of the Gabapentin and give to your guy?
 

Gandolf

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@Gandolf What you are giving me is the concentration (i.e. there is 1.5 milligrams of Meloxicam in every millimeter of prescription in the bottle - that is the concentration of the prescription) of the prescriptions not the amount you are giving them. When you give the medications, how many ml do you put in the syringe of the Metacam and then of the Gabapentin and give to your guy?
I just looked on the bottle and it’s mils .
 

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Mils = ml (both are millileters.) a measure of liquid volume
Mgm = mg (both are milliGRAMS) a measurement of weight.

What I want to know is how many ml (millileters) of the prescriptions (each prescription) are you giving your bird. If you are giving 1.5mg (one millileter) of Meloxicam each time that's way too much. If you are giving 50mg of Gabapentin (one milliliter of the prescription) that is way too much. My 1,000 gram macaw gets only 40 milligrams of Gabapentin per day.

Can you post a picture of the prescription bottles? The reason I'm being persistent is that someone pointed out to me that 50mg of Gabapentin is very high and could be contributing to the paralysis in his feet.
 

Gandolf

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Mils = ml (both are millileters.) a measure of liquid volume
Mgm = mg (both are milliGRAMS) a measurement of weight.

What I want to know is how many ml (millileters) of the prescriptions (each prescription) are you giving your bird. If you are giving 1.5mg (one millileter) of Meloxicam each time that's way too much. If you are giving 50mg of Gabapentin (one milliliter of the prescription) that is way too much. My 1,000 gram macaw gets only 40 milligrams of Gabapentin per day.

Can you post a picture of the prescription bottles? The reason I'm being persistent is that someone pointed out to me that 50mg of Gabapentin is very high and could be contributing to the paralysis in his feet.
 

Gandolf

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Shoulda looked at the actual med bottle Gabapentin 0.15 mils every 12 and Meloxicam is 0.4 mils every 12 . Once again thanks for looking out , I’m a vet. newby . Scott
 
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