My Harlows sick

[terri]

Like maybe not make it sick [my macaw] Im so down .I thought I would post to give a heads up.Harlow was last at the vet in oct [so she wasnt due].I cant believe I couldnt tell something was wrong.My birds come first in this house everyday!!Alot of the time she has had a fluffed up head [a little] I took it as she was relaxed,interested in you look.I thought if a bird had a puffed up look and was sick they would be listless too.Harlow did not, she ate, had droppings and had a big interest in us [shes the sweetest bird] She was moving around a little slower but I thought that was due to her nails being long .I took her to get her nails done and the guy who I got her from said this birds sick [he always looks the birds over] thank god for him .Who knows when I would have noticed.I took her to the vet they took blood and samples waited a day for the results .The vet called and asked how she was. He said he got the results back and didnt know how she was alive her red blood count was that low We dont know if this was genetic or she picked up a parasite or infection some how[the only thing I can think of is her food?] but none of my other birds are sick .She is responding a little today to the medication .Thats all they can do.Please pray for my Harlow

[ljeanne]

hope sweet harlow recovers soon. they are so good at hiding their illness. good luck

[marie83]

Prayers and good vibes being sent.

Poor thing, I hope she recovers soon.
Don't feel any guilt and don't beat yourself up for not noticing as birds are insanely good at hiding things til the last minute. I've had that before and now I panic over everything which isn't necessarily good either.
How did the guy you got her from notice? May be useful for you to know what he picked up on for future use. The thing with animals- it's a lifelong education, no matter how much you already know.

I know you will, but keep us updated.

[cml]

Hoping for the best!

[terri]

Prayers and good vibes being sent.

Poor thing, I hope she recovers soon.
Don't feel any guilt and don't beat yourself up for not noticing as birds are insanely good at hiding things til the last minute. I've had that before and now I panic over everything which isn't necessarily good either.
How did the guy you got her from notice? May be useful for you to know what he picked up on for future use. The thing with animals- it's a lifelong education, no matter how much you already know.

I know you will, but keep us updated.

It was her weight he could tell by her breast bone.See when I pet her I really only touch around her head that parts below her gullet [I didnt know]

[marie83]

Aw well at least she is getting the right help. You already said that shes started responding to the meds so thats a positive thing. Focus on getting her better, not what you could have done differently.

Its hard to judge weight by feeling the keel anyway even if you did touch her there so again don't beat yourself up about it, although obviously you would know if it felt bad you wouldn't be able to pick up on early warnings. The only reliable way really is by weighing the bird but I don't think I know a single person who weighs their bird as often as they should. I can't weigh Harlie at all anyway because shes so scatty.

[marie83]

How is Harlow today?

[terri]

Well on tuesday they put her on the first medicine it made her sick[once they got her blood work back]they switched to a different kind, half a pill .She really perked up that night with both in her.Now its just the half of a pill and today she doesnt look good [wants to be left alone].Of course its the weekend and I cant due anything till monday.[Its happening fast].

[marie83]

arrgh poor thing. Does your surgery not do emergancy appointments.

I still have everything crossed for you.

[terri]

Well not so impressed with my vet .Everything always gos wrong on weekends[they have a emergency vet for after hrs but they just do dogs and cats]So I thought I would research as much as I could to have some sort of knowledge of what we could try.When I first took Harlow we knew she was very under weight and a very sick bird.He put her on a liquid antibiotic.A day later we had her biood work back and he changed her medicine to half a pill that started with a B.[He mentioned nothing else ]No try to increase something to put weight on her,or even check back in a couple days to see if shes responding]Well the first day when she had both medicines in her it gave her a big boost .But after that half a pill once a day she went downhill.By sunday she was bad [I could see more weight loss ]She wanted to be left alone,she was at the top of the cage facing the corner.I knew I had to do something and do what I felt was best for her[I didnt feel like it was a priority to the vet]I know he might not be able to save her but I have to at least try everything I can.I know animals dont live as long as us but shes young and its to soon That Sunday night I gave her another half a pill and she started eating.Monday morning I spoke with the vet and told him everything I wanted to do.Now shes on 4 doses a day and Im feeding small amounts of baby parrot formula 2 a day along with anything else she wants[and he didnt suggest any of this]Shes better more energy ,vocal and eating .Will this save her I dont know shes pretty bad.Im spending as much time as I can with her .Its hard to go to work .My game plan is if I can build up her energy.I found another vet but we would have to travel and he wants to do more bloodwork[thats hard on a bird]shes too weak now.The moral of my story is go with your gut feeling and dont stop till things make sense to you!!