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Rocket Has Gout. Suggestions Wanted.

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KatherinesBirds

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I have gout. Developed it a year ago. I have no idea if the dietary guidelines are anything like for humans. I take no medications since I #1 can't afford it and #2 can't tolerate the meds.
I basically take four Swanson HiActives Tart Cherry Extract capsules a day. I eat only fish, chicken and most fruits and vegetables. I eat a very low protein diet and a low fat diet. No spicy foods. Tons and tons of water too! I use non fat dairy products and to my yogurt I ad about one tablespoon of dark cherry concentrate. All of this has reduced the number of attacks and the pain (which used to be severe) more than the drugs I was prescribed. Soft shoes and a lot of foot care will help too. Give your birdie lots of love and a low stress life. This is essential since the pain of a gout attack is nothing like you can imagine. You do not walk!!!!
My Blue Crown has what I suspect is the same condition and I have put her on a similar diet. She loves fish! We enjoy whole grain brown rice, breads and a well balance diet together. Her feet are so much better. Good Luck to you and prayers for your birdie.
Katherine
:heart:
 

Teasha

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Rocket has increased activity in the last couple days! He climbed the ramp to his platform a couple times. Which he had previously stopped doing. He started eating on his own again and he has been drinking his water. He is shredding the toys I bought from my favorite store, thanks Kathie! I hope he keeps this up! :D
 

Teasha

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Sigh. I was stressed about him not being weaned now I wish he would eat some. He has refused THREE feedings. He is suppose to drink 2 tsp of water with his meds according to the pharmacy and he was getting that when he was being hand fed. BUT he is eating millet and some seeds. He has gained some but not much. I still see little deposits. I love that he has more energy and seems a bit more active, but I'm worried. I just want this nightmare to be over. I love breeding and have done if for some time although not that long with budgies, but I am having thoughts of quitting. I am disheartened. After I tried feeding him I was trying to pick what appeared to be a dried poop on his elbow and when I picked it I discovered it was a scab with poop on it. :eek: So I opened up his sore accidentally and since I started I had to soften the rest and peel the rest off. So I cleaned it up and put a small bandage on the elbow... I probably could have prevented this from happening if I thought ahead and made a cushion for his elbow, but I didn't.

Of course I NEED to call the vet tomorrow. And I will talk to her about all of this.


DO you guys think I am doing the wrong thing by keeping him alive? I feel like I am tormenting him. I know there may be light at the end of the tunnel if this is food related but getting there is sooo hard.

I guess I started thinking about this after I had to put a dog to sleep today that came into the shelter I work at. He was older, thin and wouldn't eat. When I took him for a short walk he staggered and could not get back up. His mouth was so rancid it made me gag. I figured he had rotting teeth in there. But when I got him to the vet he said he was in terrible pain and was in kidney failure. I cannot for the life of me remember what he called the disease he thought he had, but it was something only a few dogs who are positive for lymes and anaplasma get. He said it was the right thing to do to bring him in. I just felt sick. Sick that he suffered so much pain and no one but a complete stranger cared for him. His owner watched him get sicker and sicker and did NOTHING. It made me angry and sad. I guess I should be used to it, but I'm not and it brought back memories too.

I had to PTS my 3 yr old cat who I have had since he was 4 weeks, he developed an enlarged heart and fluid in the lungs. I tried to save him and failed. He had kidney failure and there was nothing I could do. They said it was inherited. So he is in a better place now...

So that is why I am questioning what I am doing. I don't want to lose another pet as I have lost 2 of my own cats in the last year. But I want to do the right thing and I am having a very hard time deciding what is right. I want him to live but I don't want to keep him alive in pain if I will likely lose him.

What would you do? What should I do? Please help. Thanks.
 

Teasha

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And yes the aloe is helping with the peeling! Thank you! :hug8:
 

Kathie

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Teasha - I can only imagine that Rocket's health has taken its toll on you and that is understandable. It must be very frustrating. However, I recognized that you said he is eating more on his own and is much more active than before. That's a good sign, right?

Don't beat yourself up about the scab. You didn't know! He will heal. :)

It sounds like you are having a really bad day. I am so sorry about the dog at the shelter. That job, in itself, must be so depressing. :(

You are Rocket's angel. I think you are wonderful. Only you can make the decision. I personally think that, as long as he is improving and not digressing, you are not tormenting him. You mentioned to me that he is not puffy and, in fact, is very energetic.

Please know that we will support you with whatever decision you make. I would think about it for 24 hours and see how you feel then. I truly think you are just having a really bad day and everything is hitting you at once. I really admire you for all you are doing for this little man. :hug8:
 

Teasha

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Teasha - I can only imagine that Rocket's health has taken its toll on you and that is understandable. It must be very frustrating. However, I recognized that you said he is eating more on his own and is much more active than before. That's a good sign, right?

Don't beat yourself up about the scab. You didn't know! He will heal. :)

It sounds like you are having a really bad day. I am so sorry about the dog at the shelter. That job, in itself, must be so depressing. :(

You are Rocket's angel. I think you are wonderful. Only you can make the decision. I personally think that, as long as he is improving and not digressing, you are not tormenting him. You mentioned to me that he is not puffy and, in fact, is very energetic.

Please know that we will support you with whatever decision you make. I would think about it for 24 hours and see how you feel then. I truly think you are just having a really bad day and everything is hitting you at once. I really admire you for all you are doing for this little man. :hug8:
You are right, there has been a lot today. I never make big decisions on the spur of the moment. I just wanted to know how others saw the situation. I just feel so bad about the scab and he was so angry with me when I was wrapping it up and cleaning him. His feet must be in so much pain. Then looking at his poor feet that cannot grip. It made me feel like an awful owner. Thank you for the reassurance. :hug8:
 

Macawnutz

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I agree with Kathie Teasha. Take a deep breath and tomorrow is another day. Continue to offer hand feedings even if he is eating on his own. I thought the same thing with Korbel when the AGY was confirmed. Would it be better? Only you know your bird but Korbel made it through, some days were awful and I cried. Other days were better and I thought we would make it.

:hug8::hug8::hug8:
 

Teasha

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I agree with Kathie Teasha. Take a deep breath and tomorrow is another day. Continue to offer hand feedings even if he is eating on his own. I thought the same thing with Korbel when the AGY was confirmed. Would it be better? Only you know your bird but Korbel made it through, some days were awful and I cried. Other days were better and I thought we would make it.

:hug8::hug8::hug8:
Thanks! :) I am glad that I have you guys to talk to, know one loves the birds like I do or understands in my group of friends.
 

Kathie

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I agree with Kathie Teasha. Take a deep breath and tomorrow is another day. Continue to offer hand feedings even if he is eating on his own. I thought the same thing with Korbel when the AGY was confirmed. Would it be better? Only you know your bird but Korbel made it through, some days were awful and I cried. Other days were better and I thought we would make it.

:hug8::hug8::hug8:
Sarah, I didn't realize you had so many ups and downs with Korbel. :hug8:
 

Teasha

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I talked to Rockets vet she said to get 1cc in him if I can. She said he just needs more time to heal. She said to not wrap his elbow because it will stay moist and prevent healing. I worry his sore will hit his poop and obviously it does. I wonder if I can wrap lower in his leg just to keep the elbow raised then it will be open to heal and not be contaminated. She is such a great vet, she made me feel better. Rocket is still active today and it is nice to see him eating on his own. :)

- - -

I sent a letter to the last vet about how I felt and asked for a refund. I was very detailed and had help from a couple very smart people. Of course she twisted everything around. Please tell me. If a vet is listed on the AAV does that mean they are claiming to specialize in birds? She said she never claimed to be a specialist. I recall that website if for avian vets to register on. I would like to know if I am correct in that those are specialists???

She claimed I refused fluids a second time - lie. They NEVER offered it! NOT even the FIRST time! If I remember right he had fluids the last time I was there after I asked so how could I refuse them? She said I refused: "You refused a second treatment with fluids, a CBC and chemistry panel all of which would have been helpful in treatment planning."

They never offered that! I asked about testing his kidneys a couple times and she said it was too risky!

"It is interesting to me that you say in your letter he wasn't better and yet after each treatment you told us via phone calls and email that he was better, was moving around more and was singing and starting to fly."

(He was doing better UNTIL I discontinued the natural remedies and I mentioned that in the letter! :mad:)

This is only part of the letter, I am so fuming mad right now! :mad: :mad: :mad:

She also said that looking under a microscope was the way to look for gout and didn't find anything. Funny his current vet had it sent out and after looking under a microscope said there appeared to be gout crystals so sent it for the polarized test. To top it off when he had the test done with his current vet his tophi were MUCH smaller.

I am really hoping for money back as I can use that for further treatment for Rocket. Thank you for listening to my rant. :D

As I write this Rocket is in his cage chatting to himself. Such a sweet sound to hear from a usually quiet boy. :heart: Makes me smile. :)
 

Birdlover

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Any vet can become a member of AAV (Association of Avian Veterinarians) but that doesn't make them board certified or a specialist necessarily. It certainly DOES imply a special interest in birds, though (at least to me) and one would presume that any vet advertising their AAv membership would be qualified to treat birds. I had an unfortunate experience with one such vet myself, and she has since become board certified (I'd still never go back). Board Certified Specialists are tested through ABVP (American Board of Veterinary Practitioners) and will show dvm, abvp-avian after their name, usually.
ABVP - avian practice category, certification, species, credentialing, veterinary clinical practice, vet, avian

Im so sorry the previous vet is being that way but sure glad that you were able to find someone else.
 

Macawnutz

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Yes Teasha, that list means very little to me as well. Korbel has been to three different offices, seen five different vets, four of which are on that list. Not one diagnosed him correctly, in fact one told me I was crazy, the bird was fine and "go home". The next office admitted him for 3 days a day later in critical care. ( not that they were any better ) My new avian vet that I love is not even on that list, and he is as certified avian as they come. I won't even say what was spent in error on Korbel but it would have put a down payment on a house. I refuse to fight it, in fact if I were to call them, it would be really ugly. Glad you are feeling better today! Both of you in a fightin' mood!
 

Teasha

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I'm bummed! I really thought that site had good avian vets on there! I feel like a fool. Well I will mail her back and see what happens. She seems to think that she did right by Rocket when she clearly did not and is trying to claim I did not follow recommendations and denied treatment. Both are outright lies. I have tried so hard for Rocket. He seen me today and was not happy, he started telling me how unhappy he is and to go away. Poor little man.

I should add he has seeds in his crop and is still refusing hand feedings but the last 3 days is the most energy I have to see out of him so that is VERY good news. I know we can rebond but it does hurt that he doesn't want to see me although I understand why. :)
 
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chere

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Teasha, Rocket obviously does not hate you, he loves you for what you are helping him do, get better!! Rocket may have been having a bad day, also. In answer to your question about putting him to sleep, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT and keep FIGHTING!!! Don't give up on Rocket when he hasn't given up on himself!!! I fought with Kiwi's disease and he has rewarded me with love three times over knowing he has a Mommy that loves him back dearly!!! :hug8:
 

Teasha

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Teasha, Rocket obviously does not hate you, he loves you for what you are helping him do, get better!! Rocket may have been having a bad day, also. In answer to your question about putting him to sleep, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT and keep FIGHTING!!! Don't give up on Rocket when he hasn't given up on himself!!! I fought with Kiwi's disease and he has rewarded me with love three times over knowing he has a Mommy that loves him back dearly!!! :hug8:
Aww thanks! It's so stressful going through all this it helps to talk it out! :hug8:
 

Macawnutz

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He seen me today and was not happy, he started telling me how unhappy he is and to go away. I know we can rebond but it does hurt that he doesn't want to see me although I understand why. :)
OMG don't get me started on that. Korbel has been on every antibiotic under the sun! Batril, nystatin, doxy, clavamox, cefa drops, etc etc etc. None were as bad as the Amphoteracin. Twice a day he would look at me in horror and on top of that I was practically force feeding him. When giving the Amphoteracin you are supposed to wear gloves and protect yourself and that would scare him even worse. The medicine made him so sick and he would vomit awful. I would cry when it was time to feed and give meds. He did not like me, but he still loves me. Now he is the love of my life (and a little drug addict) he is on meds now for another small infection and he loves med time. Weirdo! If I am late he comes to get me. Rocket will have good days, and bad days. You will have good days, and bad days. All I have to say is I know you breed and I assume sell. Rocket better already have his forever home. :)
 
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