Peeper

[asterroc]

Last night I got home from a friend's wedding around 11 or 12 at night. I went over to Peeper's cage and usually she either lunges at my finger, or steps right up. This time she stumbled forward, falling onto her chest. She then crawled across the botton of the cage (she had been sitting in an unusual corner of the bottom for her) - her feet weren't working right, and she was using her wings a bit. Further examination and some time (maybe a half hour) revealed the she was not properly using either foot - she wasn't able to clench them, and her right wing was drooping as well.

During this process, when it became clear that her issues were more than "I've just been woken up" grogginess (yes, birds get it too), I realized that I needed to take her to an emergency room. As I continued watching her, and scratching her (she didn't seem to be in any pain and really enjoyed being scratched), I enlisted the help of a couple people online in finding info as I called my vet, then the animal hospital they recommended in Boston (an hour's drive), googled another affiliated one in Springfield (also an hour), and finally pinpointed one located less than ten miles from here.

Into the car we went, I got lost on the way b/c I hadn't taken the time to get good directions (drove 20 minutes out of the way *grumble grumble*), but finally got her there (Tufts animal hospital in N Grafton). A student did the first examination, it was interesting b/c she had no bird experience so was learning from Peeper, then a real vet looked her over, said she was thin, recommended and I did that she stay overnight and be fed and such. $700 estimated, $350 deposit. The emergency vet wasn't an expert in birds though she'd had some experience, so all she could say was that Peeper was thin and <ETA> maybe had lead poisoning or maybe had some neurological problem. She also said Peeper was very friendly and sweet - they always do, it's nice to hear that I've been raising her right. </ETA>

This morning the exotics vet (yeah, birds are "exotics" - same as pocket pets and lizards) checked her out and started blood work and is about to take x-rays. She is significantly underweight, some 15% (they usually say that if a bird loses 10% she's got a significant chance of not making it) at 65g instead of her usual 75-85g; she has a mass in her abdomen, most likely possibility is an egg and she has egg binding; the movement issues may be caused by pain from the potential egg, or by pain from potential kidney stones; the weight loss could be due to kidney problems (renal function, an issue she's had before).

The vet told me right out he's not sure if she's going to make it. I didn't ask for a percent.

Comments

[freakylynx.livejournal.com]

Vets can be seriously wrong. It's been more than one of my pets that the vet thought was on its deathbed, told my family we should put it to sleep - and we decided against that course of action and the pet lived for a few more years as healthy.

I hope she's ok :(

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

Yeah, when I told my dad about it he sounded like he was encouraging me to put her down as well. I won't do it as long as she seems like she isn't in pain. Last night she was so happy when I was scratching her, so .... *shrug* I dunno what to say.

[freakylynx.livejournal.com]

If the bird isn't in its old age and isn't in a lot of pain, I'd do whatever you can to keep her alive and healthy.

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, she *is* in old age. When I first got her, they said her life expectancy was 15 years, and she's 16 years old. Vets have upped life expectancies on cockatiels to some 20 years now, but either way she's still old.

[freakylynx.livejournal.com]

It's really your call. I can tell you that my parents' old dog Ginger, she got some blockage in her kidneys when she was in her old age and it mader her look very sickly - the vet didn't think she'd live through the operation and that it wasn't worth it given her age (I won't go into how little I thought of that vet from previous experiences). Anyways, my parents decided to go through with the operation, she came out great and lived for more than two more years as a healthy animal.

There is no formula or set in stone list of circumstances that tell you what to do. If you think there's hope for her, go with your gut.

[rubicat.livejournal.com]

Ditto on what freakylynx said. If she's still young and vibrant... there are plenty of ways out there to re-nourish animals, as long as they still have the fight in them. Sounds like she was still responsive to you, so it would make sense that as soon as they get some nutrition in her and deal with the egg, she will feel better and begin to heal herself.

Thoughts are with you. I hate to hear pet-suffering stories. Here's hoping she recovers quickly!

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

She's 16 years old on a life expectancy of 15-20. Other than the current issues (including the feather plucking) I'd definitely say she was vibrant though. Interestingly the vet said he's not worried about the feather plucking. I guess there's more crucial problems. :( Thanks for the well-wishes.

[galbinus-caeli.livejournal.com]

More sympathy from here.

I haven't mentioned it, but I also keep a cocktiel and I know what friendly little things they are.

Sorry to hear about sick little Peepers.

[q10.livejournal.com]

[hugs]

wish her good luck for me.

[rosefox]

Poor birdie. *( I hope you and the vet can find ways to bring her back to good health.