Back to the vet :(

[lemonade]

Little Apple  
Remember he wasn't well in April? Well I think he's poorly again. I think it's the liver / blood count thing again, I noticed he was getting those spots of blood running inside his claws again, then last night I noticed while he was preening, blood under his wing. We held him and had a look and I think it's a blood feather, but can't be sure. He's been puffed today and sleeping so I've made an appointment for tomorrow afternoon. 
I'm not taking any chances and praying the wee man will be ok  
lim worrying myself, especially as I'm off to Ireland for a work trip Wed / Thu and it was this time last year that we lost Peanut, and that happened while away for work too and had to rush back. Stressed  
Please be ok Apple  

[ffiscool]

Oh, poor Apple and you. You are doing the right thing and I am sure he will be sorted once he sees the vet. What makes it flare, if its that? Do you get meds to give or food changes etc?

[lemonade]

I'm not too sure ffiscool, the vet never did properly diagnose him. He said it wasn't fatty liver but that it was something liver related, and he showed high fat content in his blood, but only weighs 28grams. He likes the fattening seeds.
When I last asked about the blood showing in his nails and the bruising on beak he said not to worry about that, as a side effect of the liver not functioning properly was blood clotting, which was what his nails were. But personally, I AM worried! I'm stressed he's not going to get the right treatment because they couldn't find out exactly what was wrong last time.

[lemonade]

I looked up some threads on milk thistle and found a link sweetpea had put on, for alcohol free drops, so I have ordered that, as I figured it wouldn't do any harm and if it's liver related, can only help eh?

[budgiefriend]

Only my best thoughts and prayers for you and Apple. Hopefully the vet will have answers for you this time. Apple is much too cute to be sick.

[ffiscool]

I don't suppose there is another vet you could try? I realise may be further, but one with more bird knowledge? Even to call and ask advice based on symptoms?

[birdguhl]

Lemonade, are you within reach of Ed Uni vet school just south of Ed? You would get an avian vet there. Also there is an avian vet in Falkirk (not sure of name tho).

I am so sorry about Apple being poorly again. Such a worry and combined with anniversary of Peanut too. Hugs to you both.

[ffiscool]

The vet school, if you aren't close enough, am sure would talk to you. I spoke to a few different places before we found an avian sort of vet. All were helpful.

[lemonade]

The only other one I could try is the vet school in Edinburgh, where birdghul takes her buds. That's where I took Lemonade for his X-ray. It is a bit of a trek as it's about 65 miles and would need to take a half day off work, but if need be I would do it. Pity it doesn't do weekends
When you google avian vets in Scotland it always comes up with the one that I go to, and don't get me wrong, the owner himself is very thorough and experienced with a good reputation but he's hard to get an appointment with and I've just not had much luck with getting Apples condition resolved I suppose.

[lemonade]

Aug 4, 2014 22:12:39 GMT birdguhl said:

Lemonade, are you within reach of Ed Uni vet school just south of Ed? You would get an avian vet there. Also there is an avian vet in Falkirk (not sure of name tho).

I am so sorry about Apple being poorly again. Such a worry and combined with anniversary of Peanut too. Hugs to you both.

Was typing as you wrote this! It's Falkirk I am going to tomorrow, this is my avain vets 2nd practice, it's still a bit of a trek but closer than the uni vet. 
The uni vet, is that the one at the ski slopes? Or the old Dalkeith road area? 

[ffiscool]

I wonder then if you could ask to see the owner, or was he the one you did see? If you didn't maybe you plead. If you did, and he wasn't obv knowing the issue, I would consider Edinburgh. Would maybe the current one send up Apple's notes to them if you say that they are fab, BUT as they couldn't diagnose the exact issue, you need further help. If you get my drift

[Hezz]

I am so sorry to hear the Apple is not good again, lemonade.

Regarding the liver issue, just remember a human doesn't have to be fat to have a raised cholesterol level, or high blood pressure, so while Apple is not fat remember that those fatty seeds are not doing him any good, particularly if his liver is already compromised. Milk thistle, aloe vera, dandelion are all good liver cleansers/detoxifiers, so adding all of these to their diet is going to help somewhat. They may not be the magic potion needed to prevent Apple's problem, but have to help his liver cope with the stress put on it. I add some to my birds' water once a week, plus remove most of the oats from their seed mix. Make sure that any oil seeds in their diet doesn't amount to more than 5% of their total mix, I think it is. (I can't find my page that this info has come from in the past, and it has disappeared off my favourites list )

[lemonade]

Apple is on another lot of antibiotics. He has a lot of bacteria in his gut and was also showing blood in his poop
The vet gave him an injection to help with the blood, which he said was a result of his liver function / blood clotting problems. The blood under his wing was a blood feather, so he sorted that out too when we were there.
That was last Tuesday. He is okay in himself and being his happy chatty self. The antibiotic seems to be kicking in and I am hoping he will be ok. It's such a worry. I don't really know what to do. I ordered a lighter seed mix. The Jeff and Johnson one, and mixing it with Harrison's. I also received my milk thistle drops (alcohol free) so have been putting that in his water.
I'm back for another appointment on Wednesday and he will be getting a blood test that day.
Fingers crossed my little fella will be ok

[ffiscool]

Everything crossed but sounds like the meds are working and you are doing all you can to help him. So all, I hope, settles for you both

[OP]

Fingers crossed also Lemonade.