I deleted my own thread

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Just to give some of you some head-up that might have read my earlier post about a bird that has zinc poisoning...

I was outraged by what I read on another board about the sick bird and the posts were not helping at all.

So - I used this forum to vent more than I helped. My emotions got the better of me... not the right thing to do. So --- I deleted my own thread.

The bird has twice the level of zinc (4.0) in its blood stream than the normal level of 2.2 for a large Cockatoo. The bird does have heavy metal poisoning - there is no doubt.

The vet is not correct in saying that the plucking has nothing to do with the zinc toxins. It has been proven many times over within the avian medical community that heavy metal poisoning is a cause of plucking and feather destruction.

Also the vet said the bird is chronic and not acute. I disagree with the vet on that point as well. It cannot be concluded whether chronic or accute by one blood test.

Also the vet recommended not to administer chealating agents because the bird is chronic and not acute. Chealating agents do stress a bird's system - that is for sure, but there are natural chealating agents that can be administered that will help flush the bird's system as well as coat the gizzard.

The owner is trying to determine where the bird got the zinc. She discounts the cage because she says the cage is advertised as lead and zinc free. I know for a fact that cage importers, distributors, retailers, and online retailers all advertise their cages as lead and zinc free. But it has been proven by bird owners and not by the cage sellers that cages made in China contain toxic levels of both lead and zinc. The brand of cage that is in question has tested high in zinc - in fact off the charts.

Zinc poisoning ain't pretty - I know... just ask my Baby.

I can't write any more...

[bonnie]

It is sad when avian vets, vets and even doctors won't listen when there is something wrong. It is especially hard when a person KNOWS what's wrong and they don't have the 'education' to back it up.

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

Larry, This is something that's close to your heart. Don't feel bad about venting...we're all here to listen, and hopefully learn.

Patty

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Thanks Patty - you are my friend indeed.

[Evelyn]

Larry -

Could you write a calmer version to the poster with some authority to back it up? Maybe by email instead of on that board?

When you are in your teaching mode, it would be difficult to resist your reasoning and advice.

Evelyn

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Evelyn - my post here "is" the calmer version. If you want I will email you my original version.

There is not much more to say about this situation other than what I said in my above post.

According to the poster - her bird is at 4.0 zinc. I can't add anything other than a Too is normal at 1.8 to 2.2. Anything higher than that --- the bird is poisoned. I can't add anything to that.

It is common knowledge within avian medicine that heavy metal poisoning can cause plucking among other things including death. No more to be said on that point.

If anyone wants information about the natural chealeting medication - thay can ask me for it here. It has been used for a decade or so by avian vets across the country with great success.

So - I wish I could add more - but I really don't see what I could add.

If it were my bird - I would look for a different vet.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Additionaly, I would have the bird also tested for lead. Often both toxins go hand in hand because of the make up of paint and other household items.

I would also have the "new" vet do a full body X-ray to rule out any metal pieces in the gizzard.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

How do I know all this --- I have been through it with my Umbie - Baby.

[Evelyn]

Larry -

What board was that post on?

I used to do a lot of collection work when I started out as a lawyer. I would sue the debtors, but when we got to court, instead of lambasting them, I usually took them out in the hall, listened to their story, was sympathetic, and succeeded in collecting a lot more money than did the other lawyers in the firm. Of course, I did get judgments against them, but most of the time they left wanting to pay the debt instead of weasling out of it. I rarely had to garnish them.

Evelyn

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Uhhh??? So you were the attorney that got my money??? :sadeyes:

[Evelyn]

Uhhh??? So you were the attorney that got my money??? :sadeyes:


At least I was nice about it.

I take it you don't want to email that person directly (without mentioned you, of course) since you did not say what board the discussion was on.

Evelyn

[Larry, Baby and Me]

I think Bill is on top of it.