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Post by Patty Finch on May 30, 2016 18:05:05 GMT -5
I have a quaker I took in as a foster, now permanent. Vet said she thought he was old, judging by his feet.
I just noticed he has a big grey spot that seems to cover his pupil on one eye. Is that a cataract? I have to drive almost three hours to get him to a good avian vet. Any thoughts?
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Post by easttex on May 30, 2016 18:50:26 GMT -5
How long ago was his vet check? If it was recent and your vet didn't notice it, it must have come on suddenly, which isn't the common way cataracts form. (I had a dog who had cataract surgery in both eyes.) It could still be a cataract, but the fact that you see it in only one eye is a little suspicious. It could be many other things and I would take him back in, or at the very least, give the vet a call.
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Post by Patty Finch on May 30, 2016 20:09:44 GMT -5
Last visit was a year ago. What you said makes sense. Sigh. Calling vet tomorrow! Thank you.
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Post by Patty Finch on Jun 2, 2016 13:49:08 GMT -5
Just so anyone reading this thread knows, it is cataracts. (And when I looked closer, there is a tiny grey spot on the other eye). He is going to the vet just to get checked out overall, but it turns out the vet who saw him when he was in foster care noted the cataracts in the record, but didn't tell me. Sigh. And it took me all this time to notice it! I thought I was more observant than that, but apparently not.
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Post by easttex on Jun 2, 2016 14:26:27 GMT -5
Thanks for coming back with an update, Patty. I always wonder how things turn out. It's easy to overlook things you're not specifically looking for. I adopted an older Quaker. He was 21 and hadn't been well cared for. It took us a while to get him out of his cage and bonding to each other, but he turned out to be a total joy for the all too brief time I had him. I hope you have a good experience with yours, in spite of his health issues. Everyone here will be happy to help if you have questions in the future, or just want to talk Quakers.  |
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Post by Jan and Shah on Jun 2, 2016 16:20:04 GMT -5
Thanks for letting us know. Don't beat yourself up about not noticing it - there was nothing you could do about it anyway. He sure is lucky he found you. I have no doubt that you both will have a great future together. As Easttex has said, just ask any questions you have about quakers on this forum. We will all do the best we can to assist you. What is his name?
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Post by bruce on Aug 23, 2016 17:54:38 GMT -5
Just had my QP Chuckie to vet today, he has a major cataract in left eye, right eye is normal, thankfully. Read on avian care site (I forgot to record the link) that they can remove cataracts in birds, although sounds rather costly. The loss of vision in one eye certainly explains why Chuckie startles easily when I walk by his condo. Vet recommended no new meds or changes to diet (he is on Harrison's Bird High Potency generously filled in with various treats). I will monitor his good eye and if that should show signs of a cataract, consider surgery on one or both eyes. If anyone has advice on this front, please let me know. He is otherwise very healthy according to vet. |
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Post by easttex on Aug 24, 2016 2:09:04 GMT -5
As I mentioned, I've had the surgery done on a dog. The results were immediate and it really improved his quality of life. On the other hand, parrots seem to adapt well to handicaps, though total blindness would require a lot of vigilance on your part. I would certainly consider it, but I would be doing a lot of research first.
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Post by julianna on Aug 26, 2016 13:48:33 GMT -5
I feel that if this was my pet... I would have the surgery done. I think of Oscar as one of my family and I would have it done to any member of my family. I of course understand cost is always a concern but perhaps the Vet will have a payment arrangement?
I know what it is like to drive 3 hours to the vet.... I have to drive 3.5 hours to see mine.
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Post by bruce on Sept 2, 2016 12:31:34 GMT -5
Hi, Thanks for advice Julianna and Easttex. Chuckie seems to be getting on well. One really important adaptation I am trying to train myself to do is to verbally announce my presence before going past his condo so he isn't startled. I think he has some sight in the eye because he still looks both ways when he is climbing or checking out a treat. So far cost research has been disheartening, the few cases I have seen ran into the 4 to 5 thousand dollar range. Also I have been unable to determine if there is an avian eye specialist in the entire state. Also read alarming information about anesthesia and birds.
He is his more than usual chipper self of late, even though he is going through a major molt. Considering the new feathers are coming in bright green and he is getting feathers in spots that were bald in the past, I am fairly happy with his overall health. I so appreciate this forum and the advice/support provided. Thanks again.
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Post by easttex on Sept 2, 2016 14:10:46 GMT -5
I'm glad Chuckie is doing well. If you're not close to one of the largest cities, with a real animal hospital, you probably won't find an avian-specific opthamologist. The surgery was expensive for our dog. He was over 125lbs, and we felt it was important that he be able to make his own way around , so it was a pretty easy decision in his case. It would be a harder call with a bird. As you say, anesthesia can be particular risky with them. And it's a lot easier to be their eyes. I would still think about it, but would agonize either way. |
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