The End of the Road for Jacko and I...- Update Post #90

[Hankmacaw]

She may be having seizures, which is not uncommon when circulation is restricted, it is also restricted to the brain.

Hanks seizures were caused by low blood sugar in the morning soon after he got up. They were cured by feeding him immediately when he woke up. Everytime he would have a seizure, I would immediately put him in the O2 box and he would recover quickly.

I so hope that Jacko will come out of this problem and be back in your excellent care.

 

[Grey_Moon]

Unfortunately the vet is pretty sure these aren't seizures.

Her lung sounds are worse and she's full of water again. Which would explain why this episode looks the same as the last one.

 

[MommyBird]

oh dear. Prayers for you and Jacko.

 

[Just-passn-thru]

Oh no

 

[Tiel Feathers]

Sending prayers to you and Jacko.

 

[WendyN]

Prayers for you both.
Sending a hug.

 

[Grey_Moon]

She's up and eating!

Still in ICU with oxygen though.

Cardiologist is nearly completely sure it's a reaction to the new pimobendan medication. It also seems to have caused an arrhythmia. Hopefully this will all go away when the drug clears.

They also gave her some Lasix.
Vets are looking into all medication possibilities and combinations now.

I'll know more later, but for now she's alive and still fighting to be here.

 

[MommyBird]

whew!
sounds like you have a great team of vets helping

 

[Hankmacaw]

I read up on the pimobendan when you mentioned it, I'd never heard of it. It sounded to me as if there were several risks that I wouldn't accept. Glad she's better. Lasix has worked forever for Jasper.

Hang in there Grey-Moon and Jacko.

 

[Grey_Moon]

Thanks Hankmacaw.

Yeah the more reading I do on the Pimobendan the less impressed I am. She will not be placed on that again regardless of what the vet says.
I just hope the arrhythmia etc goes away and isn't permanent.
We hadn't been seeing super good clearance of the edema just on oral Lasix so I think we're going to add the Spironolactone and see if together that will keep her clear and comfortable, added bonus is that it should also help to prevent any potassium etc deficiencies the Lasix might cause.

I don't think I've ever been so thankful I made the choice to live within a few blocks of my avian vet a couple years ago, I can have her there and on oxygen within 5-10 minutes.

 

[Tyrion]

So sorry to hear she had another episode... sending all the healing thoughts your way and tons of hugs

 

[Grey_Moon]

So mixed news.

She is still weak but eating well, however she is still having a hard time breathing and is not tolerating being removed from ICU/oxygen.
Vet found a dose for the Spironolactone so Jacko will be started on it tonight if pharmacy has it ready/available.

Otherwise we are waiting for the cardiologist and specialist to call back so vet can discuss other medications/treatment options etc.

Just keeping my fingers crossed at this point.

 

[iamwhoiam]

Sending positive thoughts for Jacko's recovery!

 

[alshgs]

Keeping you and Jacko in my prayers!

 

[Just-passn-thru]

This has to be so heart retching for you , so much trial and error, my hope for you and Jackos' speedy recovery from this event, and finding the right balance of meds .

 

[Grey_Moon]

@Just-passn-thru

More than anything I am just worried she is suffering/I am doing something wrong and should euthanize her.
In a strange but I suppose helpful twist of fate I come from a very ill family with a lot of cardiac issues and myself have chronic health issues/disabilities, so I know that cardiac issues are chronic, but manageable and sometimes you just gotta push through it, do the trial-and-error while sometimes having set-backs/needing to be hospitalized before you find the right meds. So I'm not, say, surprised this happened, I just hope because she is not a human being who can understand that, that I am doing the right thing.

I just hope we can find them and don't end up killing her in the process, given how new avian medicine, let alone avian cardiology, is.

 

[Hankmacaw]

You yourself said she is happy and was playing - you just can't put a bird like that down. Push through it, there is a high likelihood that your vets and you will discover how to manage her heart disease.

Don't give up.

 

[Grey_Moon]

Oh gosh no I wouldn't put her down.

I just wish I could explain to her that a set-back is just temporary and that even if sometimes she won't feel well/some weeks will be rough, that she will be ok in the end. Sometimes I feel bad/guilty that that isn't possible though.

 

[Hankmacaw]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I don't know if it helped Hank or Jasper, but I would tell them all about what was going on.

 

[cathybill7]

Prayers for you and Jacko. As long as she has quality of life just support her and spend as much quality time as you can.