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Post by easttex on Jan 7, 2016 6:46:33 GMT -5
Seems like time for a new thread, just because the old one was getting so lonnggggg.
His vet thinks he is doing very well. He got an X-ray, and the granuloma may have shrunk further, and certainly is no larger than it was a month ago. He seemed a bit tired yesterday, but we're chalking it up to his early rising for now.
Blood was drawn for liver and kidney function tests, and a white blood cell count, which was elevated last time. I hope to get those results very soon. His next appointment is not for another six weeks this time.
He has a new behavior. He's still very cuddly when he wants to be, but when he's in or on his day cage and I approach, the little booger quickly gets down to the cage floor and paces and loudly chastises me. Hormonal, I think.
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Post by julianna on Jan 7, 2016 14:35:26 GMT -5
That is all very good news easttex... I am so very happy for you both. I love the chastises you .... that would look so cute. I guess there really is a birdie God... and He figures Shah should stay with you. Awesome!!
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Post by Jan and Shah on Jan 7, 2016 15:32:28 GMT -5
Fingers and toes are crossed Easttex. I know exactly how you are feeling. Please let us know the test results when you get them. Shah and I still talk about Peppy and we are both cheering Peppy on. These animals put us through hell at times.
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Post by cnyguy on Jan 7, 2016 21:08:40 GMT -5
Happy to hear that Peppy got a good report from the vet.  |
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Post by biteybird on Jan 7, 2016 22:14:39 GMT -5
Good on you Peppy, well done to you and your human slave(s). |
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Post by aaron on Jan 8, 2016 22:11:23 GMT -5
So pleased to hear that Peppy has gotten a positive report from the vet. That is fantastic!!
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Post by easttex on Jan 9, 2016 6:19:24 GMT -5
The blood test results were mixed. White blood cell count is good, and his kidney values are normal. The liver is still a problem. The bile acid numbers are not racing up, but they are increasing. There is not much more the vet can do without doing a biopsy or at least an aspirate. For now, we are staying the course. If he starts looking poorly again, it will most likely be from the liver, and not the granuloma. His next appointment is in six weeks, assuming he does well.
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Post by aaron on Jan 9, 2016 10:12:41 GMT -5
Hmmm... sheesh. at least it's a slow rise. Keeping fingers crossed for you and Peppy!! Hopefully it is an uneventful six weeks.
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Post by Jan and Shah on Jan 10, 2016 15:26:27 GMT -5
Hi Easttex, I have been giving Peppy's liver a lot of thought. Do you have any vets who also use complementary therapies? I know aloe vera juice helps detox the human liver but there are some bitter herbs that also help liver function. www.naturalnews.com/037460_bitter_herbs_gall_bladder_liver.htmlI don't know if you can open the link or not. If anything takes your fancy, try and find someone who deals with birds and "alternative" medicine so you can get the dosage right. I guess you have gone through his diet with the vet. I really wish I could be of more help to you. |
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Post by wsteinhoff on Jan 10, 2016 17:02:52 GMT -5
Hi Easttex, I have been giving Peppy's liver a lot of thought. Do you have any vets who also use complementary therapies? I know aloe vera juice helps detox the human liver but there are some bitter herbs that also help liver function. www.naturalnews.com/037460_bitter_herbs_gall_bladder_liver.htmlI don't know if you can open the link or not. If anything takes your fancy, try and find someone who deals with birds and "alternative" medicine so you can get the dosage right. I guess you have gone through his diet with the vet. I really wish I could be of more help to you. There are articles written about birds with liver problems being given an aloe detox and they took a complete turnaround nearly reversing the liver problem. I give it to Bishop on occasion as a preventive and drink it myself too as it's good for the entire digestive system and can help with skin problems or even arthritis which is why my father has also started drinking it. If you chose to give aloe juice you can find it in many grocery stores with the laxatives. Make sure you only get it if it says it is 100% inner gel filet. If it is not only the inner filet then it contains the toxin aloin which is used as a laxative. Milk thistle is also said to be good for helping with liver problems in birds but that would probably be best to talk to your get about because I think I have also read that if not used properly it can harm your bird. I have done a lot with medicinal herbs over the years and some easy to obtain herbs like chicory root, dandelion root, turmeric root, and peppermint leaves (or flowers) can also detox the liver. If you have a yard away from pesticides and exhaust from vehicles you may be able to find chicory and dandelion, they are very common weeds (but also herbs). I'd talk to your vet before using peppermint, there seem to be mixed feelings on the use of mints in birds. Basil is also a mint though and I'm pretty sure that is safe so peppermint may be okay. Burdock and ginger roots are good for the stomach so they may also help with the liver but I'm not sure. |
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Post by easttex on Jan 11, 2016 6:00:17 GMT -5
Thanks for the aloe information, and all the other herbs, too. I don't know any vets around here who do alternative-type medicine. This is not a very progressive part of the country, to put it mildly. Peppy is on so many meds now that I wouldn't give him anything without checking with his vet. I emailed her last night to see what she thinks. I'd be willing to try anything promising, as long as it doesn't conflict with his conventional meds.
Peppy has been on milk thistle for several months. I heard from both his vets that they've seen complete turnarounds with it, but it doesn't seem to be doing the job for him so far.
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Post by easttex on Jan 11, 2016 14:42:39 GMT -5
The vet didn't find any controlled studies on aloe vera for birds that were relevant. There was one on mice that showed some promise. She has no problem with me giving it to Peppy, though she couldn't give guidance on the dosage. How do you administer it to Bishop, wsteinhoff? In his water, I would assume, but at what ratio?
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Post by Jan and Shah on Jan 11, 2016 15:05:03 GMT -5
Hi Easttex, try googling vets that also do alternative therapies (we have a handful in Australia). You could try ringing them to have a chat. Most vets are happy to help out via the phone when they are in another state or territory. Keep going - this may well be the last obstacle you need to overcome to get Peppy back to almost normal health. It has been a long road but there is now an end in sight. Good luck and let us know how you go. We are all cheering for you and Peppy |
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Post by wsteinhoff on Jan 11, 2016 15:52:29 GMT -5
The vet didn't find any controlled studies on aloe vera for birds that were relevant. There was one on mice that showed some promise. She has no problem with me giving it to Peppy, though she couldn't give guidance on the dosage. How do you administer it to Bishop, wsteinhoff? In his water, I would assume, but at what ratio? I have been letting him just drink it with me when I drink it. I mix 4 ounces of aloe juice with 6 ounces of orange juice (aloe juice tastes absolutely terrible) and let him drink some of it, that's it. Since citrus is one of those things he can get too much of though I plan to mix something like a teaspoon of it into his water bowl which I'd say holds roughly 1/2 a cup of water. I just use it as a preventive though, the things I've read about using it to cure liver problems said the birds were drinking as much of it as they would drink and the symptoms went away over time. I'll see if I can find the articles and post them for you. |
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Post by wsteinhoff on Jan 11, 2016 16:17:05 GMT -5
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