@Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive @azygous @Altairsky
Hello everyone,
I wanted to thank everyone who has helped and let you know that we had to put Charlie down a few days ago. Along with thanking you all, and I am very grateful that you took the time to offer help and advise, I wanted to pass on information regarding things that I probably did wrong that resulted in this outcome. I am hoping that maybe someone can avoid the outcome that I got, if they are looking to save their bird.
We had gone over a month feeding him by hand, as he had no interest in eating on his own. He was making improvements however. A week ago he took a major turn for the worse and began displaying neurological issues. His balance was way off and his head was cocked and he would shake it. He had difficulty walking and maintaining balance. It took me a couple days to get him to the vet as none were working.
At the vet, she noted that his color and feathers were still very good, but he had neurological issues and his breathing was concerning. Obvious now, she stated that the coccidiosis is secondary to some other more pressing issue and has been. Probably important to know from the beginning is that he was the only one in the flock to get sick. The vet felt it was likely a kidney or liver issue. She did mention that she was concerned about metal poisoning because of the neurological symptoms. We could have done blood testing, but it was going to take several days to get the results back and he didn’t have much time left.
So, I guess for someone down the road that may be reading this, here are my mistakes, what I learned, or my advice, for whatever it is worth.
- An important sign was that he was around 10 months old, very healthy, active and was the only one in the flock to get sick.
2. At my second vet visit, the level of coccidiosis was way down and the vet even felt that he shouldn’t be sick. The belief was his digestive system was probably off from being sick and not eating his normal diet. We then continued treatment with a sulfa drug. He also had amoxicillin prior to this visit.
3. At this point, I wish I had done a blood test. It may have helped him and was probably the big mistake. At one point in this, I believe it was “@Eggcesive” that mentioned the yellow urites in the droppings may be related to a liver issue. I did not make the connection. By the time a blood test was mentioned it was too late.
4. The fact that he was young, healthy, the only bird to get sick, and upon second test, his coccidiosis levels were very low, probably should have made me look at other issues.
5. As for the possibility of metal poisoning, I don’t know if that is the case or how it would have happened. He was discarded in the woods before my daughter brought him home. I don’t know if someone tried to poison him first, 6 months ago, and then got rid of him. Maybe someone didn’t like him while he was in my care. I have no idea. Other than the fencing, he wasn’t exposed to metals or areas near or exposed to metal or chemicals. If that is the case, I don’t know the how, but I think the blood test at an early stage may have provided a treatment. Unfortunately, it was my mistake and he paid the price for it. Not that I want to see anyone with a sick bird, but If someone can learn or benefit from my mistake, it is the only benefit in this.
Again, thank you to everyone here who has tried to help and offer guidance. You all are awesome and I can’t say how much I appreciate your time and experience.
Thank you again and God bless.
