My Harlows sick

[terri]

Greenwing thank you for asking about Harlow.Shes a little stronger today .I didnt know about the skillet thing [I will check it out] Im trying everything to put weight on her.

[GreenWing]

Hi Terri, glad to hear she's getting stronger. Please keep us updated about Harlow.

[marie83]

Just checking in again. How are things with beautiful Harlow?

[terri]

OH Harlows not doing good.When It rains it poors[Like GreyMoon].She was responding now shes not.Theres something he feels in her stomach that was not their before.I have to take her somewhere else [thats even farther]and big bucks]Im trying to figure this out.Even though shes still losing weight she insists on seeing me.Love her so much

[Grey_Moon]

Hey terri,

Sorry to hear she's not doing so well again just when it seems they're over the bridge...they always take a few steps back.

Just thinking out loud here, as I tend to do---but have you tried stimulating her holistically?

Personally---if she's on and off antibiotics n stuff like that I'd add some probiotics to her food every day and add in plenty of warm, rich foods to add some calories and energy to help her bulk back up.
If appetite's an issue you could add some fenugreek herb--its a natural appetite stimulant.
Digestive-wise papaya, chamomile tea and apple cider vinegar are all good for the gut---the papaya has digestive enzymes, the chamomile is settling to the gut and mildly anti-fungal and anti-bacterial---as is the apple cider vinegar. As an added boost the chamomile will calm her down and help her get some rest.

IF you wanted echinacea can be given in the short term as an immune system boost.

It seems like everyone's fids are ending up under the weather these days...craziness I tell you.

[Polarn]

My lil Gila came here very weak and I took her to the vet for a checkup and also she got nutrition dropped directly into the blood, part for the slight limp during the first 24hours she shaped up good and started eating and drinking on her own straight away. But then she showed no sign of sickness part from being skinny and not having any energy (I know this could be a major sign of sickness though). Was just a thought to get some energy into her while at the vet anyways, I had to pay about 18 extra pounds for the IV though. But that was still cheaper than the nail trimming...

[marie83]

so sorry to hear this, I was really hoping that all was good again.

Fingers crossed with this new vet. When is she going?

[terri]

Thanks for everyones support.Will check into this herb Greymoon.

[terri]

Thought that I would post now that I know more.Last vet I saw felt a mass in her stomach that would need to be seen by ultrasound [which he didnt do].So off to the next vet we go .But what I found out that what I have avalible are not bird vets they are exotics that do birds [big difference].My boss suggested go to the vet school that we new of and not waste anymore time.Harlow was in really bad shape I thought it was cancer, maybe a tumor cause we had tried everything and she was getting worse.I thought that this was going to be it.So Harlow and I made the trip .The first thing he said she has liver problems.If you read my other posts I keep telling the other vets theres something wrong with her liver.Everythings yellow her face,droppings and feathers but they said nothing.They tested her that day from head to toe 10 to 4 .Even put her out to take samples of her liver and spleen.No cancer YEAH!!! They found a infection in her liver and spleen that was taking up her whole stomach[I saw it]It was making her anemic and the massive weight loss.I found out THE MEDICINE THEY WERE USEING WONT EVEN TOUCH BIRD DISEASES AND THE BLOOD TEST WONT DETECT IT.This makes my yearly check up a joke.What a waste of my time ,birds health and money.Here they have everything and the labs on hand for quick results .Even a matching bird if you needed a blood transfusion.They wanted to keep her for 3 days so they could do 5 injections.Or he said I could take her home If I thought I could do it.I took her home I didnt want her to be scared.[we practiced one shot there] Can you believe that this bird let me give her 4 shots by myself!!!.Now shes on the liquid form of Doxicycline day 11 she flapped her wings Big deal ,she hasnt done that since spring.Day 14 she started playing with her toys OMG.IM in tears thinking she might be ok.The doctors here dont seemed to be concerned if she takes the medicine [and Im feeding her baby formula like crazy] It might take months to heal the liver but shes young [different thoughts here].Also they said you dont see cancer in young birds [interesting]One post asked whose your dream bird ,Harlows my dream bird

[Eurycerus]

THE MEDICINE THEY WERE USEING WONT EVEN TOUCH BIRD DISEASES AND THE BLOOD TEST WONT DETECT IT.This makes my yearly check up a joke.What a waste of my time ,birds health and money.Here they have everything and the labs on hand for quick results .Even a matching bird if you needed a blood transfusion.They wanted to keep her for 3 days so they could do 5 injections.Or he said I could take her home If I thought I could do it.I took her home I didnt want her to be scared.[we practiced one shot there] Can you believe that this bird let me give her 4 shots by myself!!!.Now shes on the liquid form of Doxicycline day 11 she flapped her wings Big deal ,she hasnt done that since spring.Day 14 she started playing with her toys OMG.IM in tears thinking she might be ok.

That is so incredibly frustrating!

I am so happy and excited for you though! You finally figured out what was going on with such persistance. I hear this time and again with people and medicine, not just animals. You need second and sometimes even third opinions! Doctors/vets think they are so smart and are quite pompous and proud of themselves and will strongly tout whatever they believe regardless of the consequences. I can't tell you how great it is to hear that your dear companion is feeling better! Congratulations!