Anemia

[FoxersArtist]

My vet gave me a call around noon to give me the results for Sydney's CBC. She is slightly low and high in some areas but most of the labs look ok. One of the labs (I have already forgotten which one) seemed to indicate that Sydney has some tissue damage (probably in that stiff wing, though my vet said that it could even be elevated due to her plucking.

The only major abnormality is that Sydney is anemic with a hematocrit in the 20's. That may explain some of her sluggish nature and she might perk up a bit once we correct her diet.

I already asked about fatty acids. What is the best thing to offer her to restore iron to her body?
-Anna

[FoxersArtist]

I just did a google. Looks like there are tons of different bird recipes and seed mixes with flax and hemp seed mixed in.
-Anna

[birdie]

I just did a google on iron, and was refered to winged wisdom several times.

http://birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww54eiii.htm

[too&me]

Dark leafy greens are high in iron, so is old fashioned Black Strap Molasses but I don't know enough about how a Macaw might handle that one. For humans it restores the iron level quickly with out the side effects produced by iron pills.

[too&me]

Don makes a really good soak & cook mix with those seeds included, I use it. Oatmeal is also high in Iron.

[FoxersArtist]

I just did a google on iron, and was refered to winged wisdom several times.

http://birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww54eiii.htm

Ooooo. That has a very handsome little chart in it. I think I'll save that. :)
-Anna

[Don]

Please be very careful and do not get too enthusiastic when adding iron to your birds diet - make it a gradual addition. Iron Retention Disease (IRD) isn't common in macaws, but it does happen. And too many fortified foods are also loaded with fat soluable vitamins that may reach a toxic level also. Anemeas can also be cause by parasitic and bacterial infections. Did the Vet tell you what type of Anemia' she has ?

Don

[FoxersArtist]

Please be very careful and do not get too enthusiastic when adding iron to your birds diet - make it a gradual addition. Iron Retention Disease (IRD) isn't common in macaws, but it does happen. And too many fortified foods are also loaded with fat soluable vitamins that may reach a toxic level also. Anemeas can also be cause by parasitic and bacterial infections. Did the Vet tell you what type of Anemia' she has ?

Don
She said ti was anemia caused by low iron levels. Her CBC showed no signs of infection. We're going to retest in a few months and see where she's at. I know that giving too much iron can be a problem (I read a lot about this disease in toucans) so we'll try not to go overboard.
-Anna

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Anna,

Anemia and plucking can be associated with heavy metal toxins...

"Common signs reported in zinc-intoxicated birds include polyuria, gastrointestinal problems, weight loss. Weakness, anemia (a bluish coloration due to lack of oxygen) hyperglycemia and seizures. Also other signs noted include lethargy, greenish diarrhea, recumbence and death."

http://www.vetcity.com/Infocenter/Avian_Heavy_Metal_Toxicity.html

You might consider having it tested for zinc poisoning.

[FoxersArtist]

Larry, when you mentioned this, a little light went off in my head. Sydney does have a lot of those symptoms. I thought maybe she was just was just a very calm bird, but maybe she is simply not feeling well. I was already kind of puzzled that Sydney had never shown any signs of plucking previous to a few weeks ago and then suddenly went on a plucking spree. We'll see what my vet has to say when she calls me back.
-Anna
Anna,

Anemia and plucking can be associated with heavy metal toxins...

"Common signs reported in zinc-intoxicated birds include polyuria, gastrointestinal problems, weight loss. Weakness, anemia (a bluish coloration due to lack of oxygen) hyperglycemia and seizures. Also other signs noted include lethargy, greenish diarrhea, recumbence and death."

http://www.vetcity.com/Infocenter/Avian_Heavy_Metal_Toxicity.html

You might consider having it tested for zinc poisoning.

Larry, this may seem like a dumb question but since i have never dealt with a bird with lead or zinc poisoning...
Can they do a blood test to find out if there is lead in the system? (I imagine the CBC is of no help in that area). Or would we just have to do X-rays?
-Anna

[Larry, Baby and Me]

More links...

http://www.avianweb.com/heavymetalpoisoningbirds.html

http://ocw.tufts.edu/Content/5/lecturenotes/215764

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww66eiv.htm

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Larry, this may seem like a dumb question but since i have never dealt with a bird with lead or zinc poisoning...
Can they do a blood test to find out if there is lead in the system? (I imagine the CBC is of no help in that area). Or would we just have to do X-rays?
-Anna

Full body X-rays will tell if any metal is in the digestive tract - especially the gizzard where metal pieces can remain until completely digested - possibly taking months to a year or more to clear out of the gizzard.

Lead and zinc blood levels should also be done. A vile of blood has to be taken for each test. One for lead and one for zinc.

So - what I would do... Full body X-ray, a blood test for lead, and a blood test for zinc.

That bird has several heavy metal poisoning symptoms... but it could be something as simple as diet... but I would not chance it.

Many vets now do heavy metal testing at the first sign of plucking... and they have come to find out -- heavy metal poisoning is more prevelant that ever thought to be.

[CrystalinNC]

awwww....the poor guy!
Do you have pics Anne? I have a feeling that before and after pics are going to be startling with him...
also...it may help someone else identify whatever's ailing him to their own bird...