input asap please

[Kakariki]

My African Grey Skippy, who is 5 years ols and I have had for 11 days is doing something I have not witnessed with my other birds. As he is sitting on the table perch beside me he makes the body moves of having a poop and from my sitting vantage point I see his rectum expand but nothing comes out. Not always, he does still poop, and it looks normal, but afterward it seems like he tries a couple more times with nothing emitting, then after a while he will poop again and then does that other bulging anus thing again . Is this normal or should I be concerned. I tried to call a vet for advice but at 8:06 pm no one is open or even has a service to ask questions of. Other than this physiological phenomenon that is new to me he is acting normally. I have never seen any of my other birds do this. I pay very close attention to them, I even know how many sips of water is normal for each one, give or take a sip. Crayola - 3, kiwi - 2, darcy -1, jasper 6, skippy 2, ........

[Wolf]

I have no idea as I have never seen this with any of my birds.

[Pajarita]

Well, has he had a complete physical in the last 6 months without been close to any other birds? Because, if he hasn't, I hope you are quarantining him until he does or you might be putting your other birds at risk. It could be the beginnings of prolapse (is he potty trained - because that does it), it could be polyps, it could be parasites... Is his poop, weight, behavior normal?

[Kakariki]

His droppings are normal, thick pudding consistency, about 2/3 green, 1/3 white. His behaviour is also normal. I have had him not quite 2 weeks. The vet I have dealt with in the past I wonder about whether he is really very good and have called the only other avian vet number I found in London but they are now referring to a place in Guelph. His vent does not remain bulged but kind of pulses a few times after a dropping.
No, he is not potty trained, he lets it go wherever he is. when I noticed this (his top level of perch at my table gives me the view of his underside) I timed how long between the next couple, 22 minutes, and 27 min. Both times his vent pulsed a couple times after. I am waiting for a call back from my regular vet, left a message with reception.

[Pajarita]

Light green or dark green? I really don't know about 'thick pudding'... I like the description but cannot tell if normal or not by it so the question would be: do you see the feces as a shape? You know, like a little green worm, not really hard or dry but definitely separate from the urates. Also, what about urine?

[Kakariki]

The green I would describe as deep, not like forest green but a bit darker than a fresh green pea. when it hits a surface it splats ( he was over 2 feet above the landing mark) so I cant say it looks like worms, but a mash like abstract painting. some, but not a lot of clearer fluid.

I just go off the phone from a variety of people, my vet is on holiday so I called the Guelph number and they told me it is not normal for the vent to do this but had no apt for today, so I have one for 9 am tomorrow. It is about 2 hours away and I doubt I will sleep much even though they said it does not sound like an emergency but he should be seen.

[Pajarita]

They are right, don't worry. I know it's easier said than done but it doesn't sound like an emergency at all. The poop is too soft because feces are supposed to be well formed and have a distinct shape (just like a little worm).

[Kakariki]

Thank you. I hope it is nothing too serious. It was totally serendipitous that I got to see this before it may have had gone on longer, whatever 'it' turns out to be.

[Kakariki]

Well, after finishing with my calls and such I retrieved Skippy from one perch to bring him to my table perch. He decided he would rather stay on my arm/shoulder. I noticed him doing 'poop' motions but nothing coming out. I went back to the other perch and searched for any signs of stool. I could find none. I called Guelph back again and told them this. After being on hold and the receptionist consulted the vet, she came back on and said that if he had not gone by 6:45 to call back. that was just past 4:30, It did not take that long for me to decide. I fed the others their seeds a bit early, called back and said I would really like him seen tonight, I was on my way.

The Tech took weight - 250 grams. Tried to listen to his heart, could not get a count but said it was fast ( no doubt, he was not pleased about having it done)
When the vet came in, asked me the same questions the tech did and also the same as I had just filled out on the 6 page intake form, and finally told me what she planned to do to start. It is a bit foggy already, but basically I am sure she said to take an xray to check for a lodged egg to start. I had to ok that. So then she left and another tech came in to retrieve Skippy in a towel. OMG all I heard for the next 5 minutes on the other side of the door was my Skippy screaming. I had not heard him do that yet. THEN the vet came back in and said she had not felt any evidence of an egg and would do an xray if it was ok,,,, I was SURE I had already agreed to that and said,,,, : I thought that was what you were doing. Anyway, then she left again and did the xray, said she would also sample the one dropping he did finally have in the vets office for fungus and something else, I forget... I just said yes. She said it would be 10 to 15 minutes.

5 5 ! minutes later, the receptionist brought Skippy out to the waiting room in his carrier to be with me while I waited for a room for the last consult.. I guess they finally noticed me pacing and straining over the counter to try and hear anything I could......!

Finally I was called into a room. (I could not let Skippy out in the waiting area but as soon as I got into the room I did. OMG was he plucked !I could now see BARE patches of skin on his neck ! ( he had been plucking in the reception area just before that but I could not see the extent while he was in the carrier) Where he had just a brownish 'v' shape on his chest and a small patch on his back when I purchased him, now his neck was white fuzz with bare patchs,,,,I was horrified

While we waited I tried to distract him from further plucking by talking and singing, it only slowed it down.
When the vet arrived she showed me the xray, no egg,,, but said they needed more xrays with him under sedation. She could not say for sure with the -what they call- ''bird in the box'' xray, as there could be movement... but the liver looks like it could possibly be enlarged, and she is not ruling out the presence of polyps. After talking about and me signing permission, I sadly had to leave Skippy there, probably until Saturday now she thinks, depending on the results of the tests tomorrow. Saturday I will have had him 2 weeks....



The tests scheduled so far for tomorrow are:

fecal gram stain; fecal flotation; sedation for 2 view radiograph; blood collection; avian profile; CBC-avian-'IDEXXAHL' (?)

[Kakariki]

I am up. reading things here and worrying about my Skippy. I have not had him long. I am worrying about how he is. worrying about his psychology being overnight in a strange place, when he is still so new to me, here. So many changes for the sweet lad ( or lass ) in such a short time. I love him! or her.... whatever, I love my Skippy. I love all my babies. I feel alone right now. The birdies all asleep, as they should be, but one missing. I must wait. The absence is felt heavily. Such a short time, yet such bonding, on my part, at least,, that I miss (him|) and yearn for him and worry for him, and his comfort. I cannot even think of sleep. My wee baby! so distant and alone. He had just, finally, been giving me kisses. and tying t feed me, already..... I try not to read into it but also do try to read into it. I loved him the day I brought him home.as I did each and every one of my babies. I hope he is ok.