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Post by sweetpea on Dec 6, 2013 15:15:21 GMT
I'm sorry to hear that Thomas has a fatty liver, this is what Charlie had too. I think that if his liver is that enlarged then it might possibly be impacting on other organs and that is why he can't breathe properly. Charlie also had breathing difficulty at then end. I hope you're able to control this somehow. xx Thanks Marianne. He's not an overweight bird either, so "fatty" liver sounds odd. I don't recall your Charlie being overweight either, though I remember you had to regularly trim his beak.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Dec 6, 2013 15:18:23 GMT
Charlie was a little overweight, but not massively. I think the extra weight was mostly his poor liver.
Yes his beak needed trimming every 3 weeks.
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Post by birdguhl on Dec 6, 2013 16:21:51 GMT
Sweetpea, sorry to hear this news but it is not as bad as a tumour or something nasty like that. Also great that he took the anaesthetic in his stride.
This is exactly how Woody's liver problems presented and were diagnosed - initially an apparent breathing issue but then on x-ray his liver was so enlarged his lungs were squeezed to two very tiny slivers. His breathing was very laboured.
He was less than a year old then and not noticeably overweight, although when I look back at photos from then I can see he was a bit heavier than he was before and is now. This is because he was getting much less exercise after Berry lost the ability to fly.
This is the reason I converted them all to Harrisons pellets. (He was also on hepatosyl plus and got a course of antibiotic injections for an infection. Hopefully Thomas does not have to go through that.) Did your vet say anything about diet?
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Post by budgiefriend on Dec 6, 2013 16:49:23 GMT
Hugs to you and Thomas. Hopefully the liver won't get any worse. He's such a good boy.
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Post by skysmum on Dec 6, 2013 17:30:43 GMT
Fingers crossed it can be maintained sweetpea. All best wishes from me and mine.
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Post by sweetpea on Dec 6, 2013 17:35:42 GMT
Sweetpea, sorry to hear this news but it is not as bad as a tumour or something nasty like that. Also great that he took the anaesthetic in his stride. This is exactly how Woody's liver problems presented and were diagnosed - initially an apparent breathing issue but then on x-ray his liver was so enlarged his lungs were squeezed to two very tiny slivers. His breathing was very laboured. He was less than a year old then and not noticeably overweight, although when I look back at photos from then I can see he was a bit heavier than he was before and is now. This is because he was getting much less exercise after Berry lost the ability to fly. This is the reason I converted them all to Harrisons pellets. (He was also on hepatosyl plus and got a course of antibiotic injections for an infection. Hopefully Thomas does not have to go through that.) Did your vet say anything about diet? Many thanks for your response, birdguhl. Yes, good that it is not a dreaded tumour. It seems there are quite a few similarities between Woody & Thomas. Thomas is less than a year old & is also not overweight. His breathing problems came after the odd poops/infection though. Yes, the vet asked me if he eats much millet & I said I'd only been feeding it in the last couple of weeks, since he has been ill. None of them get any honey sticks/bell type foods. It's seed, pellets (fortunately they all like pellets though I doubt in place of seed!) & vegetables. I have had Thomas for less than 8 months & in that time he's been introduced to lots of vegetables ( blog post). I am a bit confused about how to handle the breathing problem. Should Thomas be discouraged from flying for now (it wears him out) or should he be encouraged to exercise?
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Post by samwiseg on Dec 6, 2013 19:25:55 GMT
Well at least you know and you are able to put things in place to make his life as comfortable as possible with meds from Mr E Vet. I am just pleased he came back to a warm welcome and is in a cheery mood to be able to scoff some food! Kisses from us to Thomas
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Post by Hezz on Dec 7, 2013 1:13:28 GMT
Well the news certainly could have been worse, Sweetpea. And hopefully Thomas will respond well to changes made to his diet. I would ask the vet again about exercise for him and bring up the question of the hepatosyl for him as well. Please let us know how you both are getting on.
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Post by birdguhl on Dec 7, 2013 5:13:41 GMT
Re exercise, my vet encouraged this. Woody was quite ill so wasnt very lively and i guess Thomas will only do what he's capable of. But maybe check with your vet to be sure.
What kind of pellets do you give them? Mine now tuck in to the Harrison's with gusto. They still get germinated seeds everyday.
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Dec 7, 2013 9:59:35 GMT
I am sorry to know this Is your vet an avian vet? He's an exotic vet, bb - his special area is birds & reptiles. I have a fair amount of confidence in him though, as I know he used to regularly consult with the avian vet (now retired). That's great. You are lucky to have him around
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Dec 7, 2013 10:03:05 GMT
And sorry about Thomas's fatty liver. Hope he recovers soon.
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Post by sweetpea on Dec 7, 2013 11:00:20 GMT
Well the news certainly could have been worse, Sweetpea. And hopefully Thomas will respond well to changes made to his diet. I would ask the vet again about exercise for him and bring up the question of the hepatosyl for him as well. Please let us know how you both are getting on. Thanks Hezz, I'll ask about Heptosyl when I speak to him next week. I wonder what the supplement is that he has in mind. Could be the same?!
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Post by sweetpea on Dec 7, 2013 11:14:33 GMT
Re exercise, my vet encouraged this. Woody was quite ill so wasnt very lively and i guess Thomas will only do what he's capable of. But maybe check with your vet to be sure. What kind of pellets do you give them? Mine now tuck in to the Harrison's with gusto. They still get germinated seeds everyday. Yes, harrisons super fine. They are available out of the cage & all will have a munch. In fact, the pellet dish is usually Bezukhov's first stop when he is let out.
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Post by Hezz on Dec 7, 2013 11:29:21 GMT
Well the news certainly could have been worse, Sweetpea. And hopefully Thomas will respond well to changes made to his diet. I would ask the vet again about exercise for him and bring up the question of the hepatosyl for him as well. Please let us know how you both are getting on. Thanks Hezz, I'll ask about Heptosyl when I speak to him next week. I wonder what the supplement is that he has in mind. Could be the same?!Could well be! Don't forget also the basics of dandelion, milk thistle, aloe ..... they are all worth mentioning next week on your follow-up visit. Hugs for you both.
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Post by sweetpea on Dec 7, 2013 11:36:58 GMT
Thanks Hezz, I'll ask about Heptosyl when I speak to him next week. I wonder what the supplement is that he has in mind. Could be the same?!Could well be! Don't forget also the basics of dandelion, milk thistle, aloe ..... they are all worth mentioning next week on your follow-up visit. Hugs for you both. Thanks Hezz, yes I will ask. I have tried to grow dandelions indoors, but unsuccessfully which puzzles me as they seem to grow everywhere else! Actually, would (weak) dandelion tea be of any help, do you think? Thomas started on the milk thistle in water yesterday evening, though I think this is a long-term solution rather than something to help him out now.
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