Vital Information for Pluckers... Please Read

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Here is something I overlooked that Jen posted when we were talking about her Reggie's zinc poisoning. She posted this link and I just now had time to read the article.

http://www.shynefoundation.org/article_erb.html

For those who do not have time to read the entire article - here is the reader's digest version:

So one day several years ago when we saw him sitting alone quietly, we knew something was drastically wrong. After a rush to our avian veterinarian and cultures and blood tests that revealed nothing wrong, we insisted on an x-ray. The previous year we had lost a red lory who exhibited similar symptoms and had been extensively treated with antibiotics. After seeing no results, we finally had him x-rayed and discovered five tiny pieces of metal in his gizzard. Too much time had elapsed before we discovered the real source of the problem and we lost him before we could even begin the chelation treatment...

...By this time we had, of course, changed formulas and checked with a magnet every powdered product we fed any of our birds. We were shocked to find metal particles in many of the powdered foods we tested, including powdered greens and other “people” food from the health food store. The particles varied from one to fifteen pieces per container, so they are not found in every scoop tested nor can they be visibly detected by looking at the powder...

...Pellets are difficult to test this way, as the particles are too small to respond from inside the pellet. We had fifteen different kinds of pellets x-rayed and metal filings were found in almost every one...

http://www.shynefoundation.org/article_erb.html

[FoxersArtist]

Wow! I read the whole article because I was curious as we have 2 red lories who are powder fed. I'm curious so I think i'll test our birds powder and see what we can see. Thanks for the article.
-Anna

[bonnie]

I glanced through the article. Didn't see a list of pellets containing metal filings. Is there one somehere?

[Birdlover]

Gonna go read that article. That is truly horrifying.... and boy does that ever make me want to stop feeding pellets.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

There are several important issues within the article. One of which is the food we give are birds might be poisoning them. And the second issue applies in my case...

Baby has had metal in her gizzard for over 2 years. Her first symptoms were classic heavy metal poisoning. The vet tested for zinc - Baby's levels were at 2.2 (normal). And then she was later tested for lead - found to be negative.

My vet concluded the metal must not be doing Baby any harm because she seems healthy. But - I have never been fully convinced that the metal is not doing her harm. Since her first episode two years ago she has lost her playfulness what I call the Too Exuberance. You know what I am talking about - just full of herself. She now and has been for the past two years a bit cranky, on edge, serious, and often whiny. She behaves just like a small child that doesn't feel well and has to be with Mommy all the time.

I believe the metal in her gizzard - albeit not zinc of lead - is slowly and constantly poisoning her. I do believe that her plucking is also related.

The article does not name any food brands and such. I advise all to do their own tests as the article described. We cannot and should not expect others to do things for us that we should take on ourselves.

[FoxersArtist]

I went out and tested our Lory Life Powder. I ran the grab tool through it over and over again. I couldn't find as much as a crumb of metal. Good news for Mars & Orbit.
-Anna

[Larry, Baby and Me]

You have a grab-tool in your house??? What a gal. Glad to hear the good news.

I would suggest none of us assume that one test proves nothing more than that particular batch is clean. On reading the article I learned that the grinding machines that make the powders and pellets sometimes go out of align thus putting metal shavings into the food. I will go buy a grab-tool and test all processed foods from now on before I feed them to Baby. I no longer feed her many pellets but I do suppliment her diet with some every day.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Here is the letter I just now typed to my vet. I will send it out in tomorrow's mail...

January 20, 2008


Dr. XXXXX,

Here is an article that a friend passed on to me. The article is a first-hand experience with metal toxins. There are several important issues within the article. One of which is the food we give our birds might be poisoning them, and the second issue applies in my case with Baby.

As you know, Baby has had metal in her gizzard for over 2 years. Her first symptoms were classic heavy metal poisoning. You at that time tested for zinc - Baby's levels were at 2.2 (normal). And recently you tested for lead which was found to be negative.

You concluded the metal must not be doing Baby any harm because she seems healthy. I have agreed with you but it has continued to nag me that the metal might be doing her harm. Since her first episode two years ago she has lost her playfulness what I call the Too Exuberance. You know what I am talking about - just full of herself. She now and has been for the past two years a bit cranky, on edge, serious, and often whiny. She behaves just like a small child that doesn't feel well and has to be with Mommy all the time.


As you read the article, please keep an open mind and consider it might be possible the metal in her gizzard - albeit not zinc or lead - is slowly and constantly poisoning her. I do believe that her plucking is also related. She did not pluck before she had her first symptoms, but she continues to do so to this very day. I have not continued her on the Metamucil and mineral oil but I will resume today.


About the food we feed… The article does not name any food brands and such. I have advised all to do their own tests as the article described. We cannot and should not expect others to do things for us that we should take on ourselves.

If you have any questions. comments, or suggestions – please call me on my cell at xxx-xxx-xxxx

Thank you,

Larry Houston

[too&me]

Always more to discover & learn, it is a scary world out there.

[FoxersArtist]

[quote=Larry, Baby and Me;4232]You have a grab-tool in your house??? What a gal. Glad to hear the good news. quote]


I think Andy has to have every tool ever made in his garage or it must not be a garage. His tool collection comes in quite handy much more often than one would think.
-Anna