Emergency

[Larry, Baby and Me]

This is a PM from Me&Too ...

Our vet is out of town & I need help. Our quaker is very ill this evening. Keeping him warm giving fluids by beak & some Amoxicillin. He is passing some fluid from his vent with some blood. All I can think of is a possable gut infection. More ideas please.

[Dot]

There is no emergency clinic for birds in her town so I suggested she call the emergency clinic they have because they usually have a phone number of an avian vet they can call. I hope that she is calling them now.

[Birdlover]

Do we know for sure if this is a male or female? Any chance of egg binding if its a female?

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Doing research now...

What has the bird ingested???

Cuttle bone?

String?

Mineral blocks?

Lava rocks?

Is the blood black or red???

More to follow...

[Dot]

I sent Me and Too a link to this thread. I PM'd Jill and asked about water and pedialite. She said that would be better than juice.

[too&me]

He is housed with two budgies & one Tiel. All fed together no one else has symptoms. They do have a mineral block which he rarely bites. Not occult blood it is a reddish tinge in the fluid. No string ,no lava rock. They are given a parrakeet cockatiel mix, some fresh veggies today was a corn wheel & some Bok choy.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Here is some more info...

Color changes
If your bird's red, gray or black feces can't be explained by a diet change, consult your avian veterinarian because these discolorations can mean something serious. Blood found throughout the stool usually means the bird is bleeding from the lower intestinal tract. It can be a symptom of intestinal infections, poisoning, warts, tumors, ingestion of foreign objects such as parts of toys, parasites, problems with egg laying or even eating cuttlebone or mineral blocks.

Two years ago, I noticed that my pied cockatiel, Merlin, had bloody stools every time she nibbled a piece of cuttlebone that had been placed in her cage by a previous owner. As soon as I removed it the bleeding stopped. Fresh black feces are a symptom of bleeding in the upper digestive tract.
If you suspect your bird is bleeding internally, never wait to see if it gets better. If you wait until the bird shows signs of weakness, it may be too late to save it.

Here are some other feces abnormalities you should speak with your vet about:
Dark greenish-black coloration. This could be a symptom of liver disease.
Undigested food. If you notice any bits of seed or pellets, be worried. These symptoms could mean parasites, an intestinal infection, proventricular dilation, or a disease of the pancreas or other internal organs.
Tarlike consistency. If you notice that your bird is defecating blackish, tar-like feces, it could mean he's stopped eating. In small birds such as lovebirds or cockatiels, the feces may turn dark and pasty within 24 hours. It may take 48 hours or longer for larger birds such as African greys and Amazons to have these dark, dense droppings.
Change in volume. If you notice an increase in the amount of feces in each dropping, it could mean your bird is not digesting its food properly or is having a problem laying. Very small, compact, and dark droppings could mean your bird is not eating enough due to an appetite loss from illness or an internal obstruction.

[too&me]

He has been given some warm water and some pepto bismol .05 cc.

[too&me]

No swelling above or below vent site not egg binding.

[too&me]

This is sudden onset. No undigested matter either.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Jill - are you sure it's a he???

If a she - could be egg problem.

[Dot]

He has been given some warm water and some pepto bismol .05 cc.

Did you get hold of anyone at the clinic who could help?

[Don]

Has any foods/pellets or toys been offered that would have a red dye involved ?

[Birdlover]

I wouldnt rule out eggs just by a physical evaluation... Cyan had some pretty major problems last year and didnt show any visible signs (bulge).

[too&me]

No
My hubby thinks we have done all that is possible for him with out over stressing him. Will update you in the a.m. He is so weak it looks like bird prayers may be needed folks.

[Don]

Does the bird show signs of diarhea or polyuria - what is the consistancy of the birds poop and is the blood in the urates or in the solids ? ?

[Larry, Baby and Me]

More info..

There's more to droppings than this. Color and texture can tell you even more about your parrot. The color of the feces tells you what your parrot has been eating, but it is also an indicator of disease. I'm sure we are all aware of blood in the droppings. However, blood present may not be red, but a tar-like color. Blood in the droppings may also be present in a hen ready to lay eggs. Blood doesn't necessarily have to be in the stools, but may be on the surface of the stools.

Other color variations in the fecal portion are pea green or chartreuse meaning the parrot has liver damage. A white or clay colored dropping with a popcorn-like appearance indicates digestive problems that may be attributed to the pancreas. Research is continuing on this particular type of dropping. Lumpy stools are an indication of incomplete digestion. Again, there are several different causes, including parasitic infections, ventriculus or proventriculus infections, or pancreatic problems. Passing of whole seeds is an indication of giardias, or hypermotile intestine (similar to spastic colon in humans). Macaws that pass whole seeds should be taken to the vet immediately as this may be an indication of macaw wasting syndrome.
There are variations in the urine and urate portions that an owner should pay attention to. Bloody urine can be an indication of lead poisoning or kidney disease. I'd like to note here, that this is also present in a bird with psittacosis. However, psittacosis is just one disease that causes liver damage. Green and/or yellow colored urine or urates is attributed to liver disease, although there are reports that a diet with high amounts of vitamin A may cause changes in the color of the urates.

[too&me]

Don -no red pellets in food & no red toys. I did not only look for a bulge I palpated the area, I do know what to look for & have good hands, no nesty activity either.

[too&me]

It at this point is just drips of fluid with a reddishbrownish tinge-no better description. Avery loose diarreah. The other birds have been in that same cage for years with no problems.

[too&me]

Thank you all for trying to help but the struggle to save him has ended-Buzbee didn't make it .

[Larry, Baby and Me]

I am sad - I cry.

I am so sorry.

[Birdlover]

I am so sorry, how absolutely heartbreaking :(

[Don]

I am so sorry :(




will you have him posted to find the cause ?

Don

[Dot]

I wish there were something I could do besides pray. How is your son taking it?

[Diane, Clouds assignment]

So sorry. I know you did everything you could to save him.

[Dot]

I am so sorry. I wish we could have done more. I'm crying too.

[bonnie]

:sadeyes:I'm SO sorry... This is very sad.

[birdscomefirst]

I am so sorry. You did all you could and you got the best advice under the circumstances. It is so hard to go through this. Your sweet Buzbee knew he was loved.

[FoxersArtist]

Well...I picked a fantastic night to go out and run some errands.

Is the bird really weak or lithargic? Is he eating or drinking on his own at all? Can he stand or is he laying on his belly? Did he experience anything stressful in his day today? Please make sure that he is not actually bleeding extrenally first but obviously if no wound can be found, assume that he is bleeding internally. If it was just a tiny spot of blood and only in one of his droppings it is possible that something really upset or frightened him. I have seen birds pass a small amount of blood from extreme stress and then had no problems once calmed down. Otherwise you need to get the little guy in to see a vet, any vet if an avian vet is not available, right away. Keep him warm and quiet and if you have hand feeding formula in the house, try to syringe feed him a little bit of warm formula. Is pepto bismal safe for birds...? Keep an eye on him and watch for seizuring as bloody stools can indicate poisoning. I don't know what else to day. Please keep us updated when you can.
-Anna

[FoxersArtist]

I guess my post was too little too late. Jill, I wish I could just hug you and console you. I can't imagine how horrible you must be feeling. I am so sorry your sweet guy didn't make it. You did everything you could have and are such a wonderful birdy mommy. Buzbee was so lucky to have you as his caretaker and he is flying free now. I'm so sorry for your loss. Please, please le me know if there is anything I can do for you.
-Anna

[CrystalinNC]

This post broke my heart...
I am so sorry for your loss!

[Chrissy and Flock]

I am so very sorry for your loss, I know how heartbreaking it is to lose a fid you love so much.

[EasySpirit]

Oh Jill, I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I had seen this sooner as I could have helped you get to another vet. It could have been many reasons. Will you have a necropsy done? Hard decision I know. Hugs and let me know if I can do anything.

Peggy

[too&me]

Thank you all, we buried him this morning under the fig tree in back of our house. No necropsy I know we should have. He was an older bird who just joined our family about two months ago. He arrived from the wild & selected my son, just flew down out of the sky while we were working at the sanctuary. He loved Tyler & just hated me. he spent his first few weeks at the sanctuary in quarantine but wanted to be with people more than birds, he must have been some ones spoiled baby. Never could find who lost him. He joined us after a weeks round of Baytril. He was loved & entertained us all. I never knew that a little Quaker had such an enormous personality. It was only about 1 hour & 20 minutes from onset to death. I do have a strong background both in zoo work & veterinary clinic work & it wasn't enough. Hate that helpless feeling. You are all appreciated - Anna don't feel bad I don't think that anything would have helped it was just his time.

[Don]

I am sorry for your loss, but to Not do a PM is possibly putting the rest of your birds at risk. I truly hope this is not something that will recurr.

Don

[Julie]

Jill, words fail me now, as I am just now loggin in to check on things. All my love goes to you and your family........

Julie

[birdie]

Jill, I just now got online. I'm SO sorry to hear of your loss. {{hugs}} to you and your family. He was well cared for and loved in your home.



Lend to You a Bird

"I will lend to you for awhile, a bird" God said.
For you to love him while he lives and to mourn for him when he is dead.
Maybe for twelve of fourteen years, or maybe two or three.
But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you and should his stay be brief,
You'll always have his memories as solace for your grief.
I can not promise that he will stay, since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught below I want this bird to learn.
I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true,
And from the folks that crowd life's land, I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to take my lovely bird again.
I fancied that I heard them say,
For all the joys this bird will bring, the risk of grief you'll run.
Will you shelter him with tenderness?
Will you love him while you may?
And for the happiness you'll know, forever grateful stay?
But should I call him back much sooner than you've planned,
Please brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.
If, by your love, you've managed, my wishes to achieve,
In memory of him you've loved, be thankful, do not grieve.
Cherish every moment of your feathered charge.
He filled your home with songs of joy, the time he was alive.
Let not his passing take from you those memories to enjoy.
"I will lend to you, a Bird" God said, and teach you all you have to do.
And when I call him back to heaven, you will know he loved you too.

[wingedvictory]

We are so very sorry for you loss.

Gary and Joyce

[Wanda and Flock]

Jill, if there's anything at all you need, please just let me know. I can't imagine.... So sorry for your loss. You and you're family are wonderful. I hope for quick healing for you and especially your son that loved him so dearly. I'll never forget walking in and seeing him on your son's shoulder, just hanging out on the computer... what a blessing he had picking your family!

[Anne-Samantha's Mom]

so very very sorry for your loss...fly free fly free...how sad..hugs

[too&me]

All of you I know you care, that why we are all together here. How I wish it could have been a happy story to share instead of spreading our sorrows around. The little stinker bit me hard at every opportunity and both other boys & my daughter. Then he left a bigger hole in my heart than he ever put in my skin, he was dedicated to my son & husband they could do no wrong. Thank you all for your understanding & your advice, we appreciate you all.

[Evelyn]

Jill -

I don't know how I missed this. I usually look at this forum first and am thankful when there is nothing there.

I am so very sorry for your loss.

You don't know how old he was or what he was exposed to before you got him; but you can take some comfort in the fact that he was with you in his last days and had the best of care and was loved.

Evelyn

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

Sorry sorry sorry about this. My heart goes out to you.

[lcarle]

Sooooo sorry for your loss. Will be praying.