c_s_k22

Oh.... our little one has fought and clawed his way back to life! We went to see him and although he looks a bit tired, he was so pleased to see us. We couldn't touch him because he is still in an incubator but he tried a feeble whistling tune and tapped his beak on the side of the incubator. he was desparate for a cuddle because he kept putting his head against the bars but they were too narrow. We stayed with him for a good half an hour and it was really lovely. He said bye bye to us when we left and seemed in good spirits. We came away very elated because he really is on the mend! It is likely that he will come home on Saturday although there will be frequent visits to the Vet for any necessary injections and check-ups but who cares......!! I have been like a zombie for the last week - going around like a tramp and not doing housework...so I am going to pull myself together now. I'll let you know how it goes on Saturday. I am soooo excited!! Thanks for your lovely messages. Hope I can participate more in the other threads now that I am more relaxed. What a lucky boy he is and even luckier parents we are...... Speak to you all soon Carol

How cute is she......! Congratulations. What fun you are going to have between the pair of you. All the very best. Carol

To judygram, lovemygreys, Dave007, Calvin, Lyric, Parrotlady, Raposa, DanMcQ, amanda45, bettyboop(Mary), casper, Siobhan & kids and pixiexoxo (Amy & Husband)..... and everyone else who have read all these posts and sent your loving thoughts, prayers and good wishes.... you are SAINTS.... I have good news for you all..... Bobby looks to be on the mend! The Vet says we can now be 'cautiously optimistic' - he says there is still a way to go but Bobby has gained strength and is a lot brighter today. The blood test results show that there IS some metal poisoning [bobby's zinc levels are 66 - the high end range is 50]. We had mentioned that Bobby had been playing with a zip thing from a cushion.... We think that could be the cause of the problem [unfortunately I threw it away]. He has low blood calcium and a high white cell reading but that is due to infection. The treatment has now been modified to encompass all these problems and Bobby is having two injections a day to treat the metal poisoning. We are still waiting for a couple more results but on the whole, the news is good - and guess what..... we are going to visit him this afternoon!! Yesterday the Vet had said he didn't want Bobby to be disturbed in any way and he admits today that the last 24 hours for him [the vet] has been quite worrying.... he really didn't think Bobby was going to make it. However, today, he feels that Bobby is strong enough for a visit and in-fact, it would do him good. SO HOW WONDERFUL IS ALL THAT...? A HUGE THANKYOU TO YOU ALL....... please keep up the prayers just for a few more days - I'll call in tonight to let you know how our visit went. Love to you all. Carol

Hello to you all. Firstly, thank you so much for your continuing thoughts and prayers. We are so touched. We are religious people and believe in the power of prayer. To all of you - thankyou and Siobhan, please send Bobby's thanks and love to your children for taking his needs into their school. That is so amazing and touching - they must be such lovely kids. Now for an update which will show that at least for now, the prayers are absolutely working..... [don't want to speak too soon here]. The Vet phoned me a little while ago. Bobby is 'marginally' better but still a very sick bird. He asked me not to get carried away but said Bobby is still fighting and has got through some tests well. He had an X-Ray this morning and that showed that he had not swallowed any objects and his internal organs were all in good condition [shape and size absolutely normal]. Our Vet still thinks that this is some kind of infection but he has taken a blood sample to test for the whole range of possible problems including the slight chance that Bobby got hold of some metal or zinc poisoning but he thinks that is doubtful. We hope to get the test results tomorrow. I said we would like to go visit Bobby but the Vet respectfully asked if I would mind not doing so as he is very settled and in a vivarium in a temperature controlled environment. He wants to keep him as quiet as possible. I don't think he would actually stop me from going but I am going to respect his wishes for Bobby's sake. The Vet is a very very nice man and I trust him absolutely. I think Bobby is getting the very best care and..... well let's see. I am to phone the Vet tomorrow at 11.00am to see if the blood test results are in. You can probably tell I am feeling a little happier - I am trying not to get my hopes up - but certainly I am thrilled that Bobby has got this far. Oh and.... quite importantly, Bobby has not vomited and he is not being given any anti-sickness medication so that obviously is a good sign. Thanks again to you all. I'll call in and update tomorrow. Please keep us in your prayers. Carol

Thanks Mary.... sorry I freaked you out - I too can understand your worries. We have a filter tap plumbed in to our system so we never use plain tap water. It is something we were concerned about and we have a marine fish tank so for that too, we need to use filtered water. Plus, our own drinks used to be horrible until we had the filter system which was years ago. It is 8.15am now and we have to phone the Vet at 11.00 - this waiting is unbearable. I just hope the little fella has made it through yet another night. This place is so empty without him. Thanks to all of you who are following this thread and offering your support. Both me and Matthew are so grateful. I'll update you later. Thanks again. Carol

Hi Bruce & Mazy, thanks for your warm welcome. There is another thread going about Bobby's illness which is in Hi...and Help! I'm afraid Bobby is really sick but he is still hanging on in there. Tonight he is intensive care at the Vets - I just hope and pray he comes through this. I do post regular updates on that thread if you want to take a look.

No Mary.... I am so sorry to have given that impression. It's just that I have been so worried and was clutching at straws... I was merely saying that I had changed Bobby over to Harrison's. I personally believe that Harrison's is excellent and actually, once Bobby was settled on it, I felt he was happier. My Vet says his illness is absolutely nothing to do with his diet. We just don't know what it is at the moment and we are hoping that he will become strong enough to have some investigations but at the moment, he is too weak. I really should have stopped and thought before I said anything but I am in such a state about everything. Hope that reassures you a little. Carol

Well Bobby has got through another night. This is so hard on us but while Bobby is fighting, so are we. We picked him up from the one place today and took him across to the Vet who is an absolute expert with parrots who we normally see but unfortunately was not around because of a bank holiday here in the UK. Anyway, the Vet where Bobby was staying had taken such sweet and amazing care of him, they had managed to keen him alive until today. So we took Bobby in the car. He is so weak but knew that Matthew was holding him and even game him a kiss. The Specialist vet has told us not to have too much hope but he is willing to give treatment a dam good try. Bobby now has a drip in which is going to stay for at least 24 hours and then tests will be done [X-Ray, Endescopy, bloods] to see if we can see what the problem is. We pray that Bobby can make it through to the tests and then that whatever it is is treatable. You just would not believe [well I guess you would] the emotions that we have experienced over the last 4 or 5 days. I have to phone the Vet later to see how Bobby is and will update you tomorrow when I know anything. Thanks again for your heartfelt prayers and encouraging thoughts. It means so much. Carol<br><br>Post edited by: c_s_k22, at: 2008/05/06 22:48

Just thought I'd let you know that the Vet phoned this morning. Bobby has made it through the night but he says that he still looks very sick and emphasised to us that he doesn't hold out much hope. We are going to see Bobby later this morning. Matthew and I are so upset - we have been comforting each other. The pain is unbearable - I guess this is what we all go through at times like this. We are searching for answers, beating ourselves up for not doing this or doing that but at the end of the day, things are what they are. What I am most worried about now is if Bobby is frightened or in pain [i don't think he has any physical pain] and if seeing us later will upset him even more - but Matthew says he needs to see him. If Bobby can hold on till tomorrow and get a little more strength then he will be taken to the Exotic Specialist about 45 mins away by car. Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers - the support gives so much extra strength.

Thanks for your supportive messages... they mean so much at a time like this. I'm afraid it's not good news right now. We took Bobby for his appointment and the Vet agreed that Bobby has deteriorated overnight. He has kept him in to give him nutrition intravenously so we had to say goodbye to our litte one. It has been the hardest thing to date that me and my husband have had to face together - and we have been together for 20 odd years. The Vet absolutely states that he does not feel this is anything to do with Bobby's diet, lifestyle or anything like that and he said that although the most likely thing is that he has somehow developed an infection, there is always the possibility of a tumour lurking somewhere. For now, he is just trying to see him through till Tuesday when we can see our regular guy who is an Exotics Specialist. You can imagine how hard this is for us and how empty the place is. I am feeling sick with worry but deep deep down I have a tiny bit of hope - but I guess I don't want to say it out loud in-case it all goes wrong. Anyway, the Vet is going to phone us tonight and let us know how things are. Please don't let this thread turn into any arguments about right and wrong foods.....and I didn't mean to make any accusations about any particular food brand. I merely mentioned the change of food as I wanted to point out what had happened in Bobby's life recently to try and understand what could have happened to him. All that is important to me now is that Bobby gets a little stronger so that he can put up a fight against whatever is wrong. Thanks to all you who are so supportive. Carol

Just wanted to give you a quick update about Bobby. Yesterday morning when we woke Bobby up, we saw that he had been vomiting. I phoned our Vet and the Exotic Specialist who we normally see wasn't there and the Nurse said that we should just keep Bobby quiet and warm and gave me some numbers for emergency. It is a Bank Holiday weekend here so our chap isn't going to be around until Tuesday. I can tell you, that didn't give me any confidence at all. However, I was thrilled when Bobby eagerly took a grape and started munching it. This was the first thing he had to eat in three whole days so I thought we were turning the corner. He started vomiting again so my hopes were dashed. Anyway, it just so happened that the receptionist where my husband was yesterday has a small owl sanctuary and she recommended a Vet who is much, much closer to us than the other one and made an appointment for us to see him yesterday. He was an absolutely lovely man. He agreed with the other Vet and said that indeed Bobby has a crop infection but he said he feels it has gone further than that into his guts and is enteritis. He administered an anti-biotic through a tube right down Bobby's throat and gave him a vitamin shot in his leg. He has told us to go back this morning for another dose. Now I do feel Bobby is a bit worse today but perhaps that would happen anyway. But I do feel better about this Vet. Thanks for reading. I'll let you know how we get on. I am sorry that so far I have only used this site to talk about my problems. When we are over our crisis, I will be a bit more sociable.

Hi Dan, He is drinking lots of water but is vomiting soon after drinking. The Vet does know about this. However, in the morning, if this haven't improved I shall phone them for further advice. Anyway, it is almost 3.00am and I need some sleep - Bobby has settled well now so I am going to bed. Goodnight everybody.

Thank you all for your replies. It's nice to know that there is so much helpful advice out there.... especially when you can't sleep at night!! I had mentioned to my husband earlier that I intend to give Bobby spoon fed food from time to time - or at least a spoon to play with and become familiar with. When I was at the Vet's earlier, he had mentioned syringing the anti-biotics into Bobby's mouth as he said putting it into water would not be so effective. I had simply said - oh my husband will do that - but it was later that I thought for one thing, hubby is at work and the medicine is 3 times a day so I would have to do it at least once anyway and also, as he loves my husband so much, I think it would be better if I did it. I do know what to do but I was asking if anyone had any tips or tricks really to make it easier and less stressful. Also, the surgery suggested that the Polyaid should be in one water pot and the Bioplus in another. It was my decision to syringe-feed Bobby with the Polyaid as it is really thick, syrupy and sticky and I just know that Bobby won't touch it with a bargepole. He does love banana usually but right now unfortunately, he is not eating anything at all so I need to get anything down him by other means. Anyway, he already seems a bit more comfortable with the syringe and I am hoping that when he is feeling a bit better, he may eat off the spoon. Poor thing is very thirsty but not keeping water down - it is so sad to see him so poorly. I am feeling really down too so I am just hoping he perks up a bit tomorrow. I'll let you know. Thanks again. Carol

Thanks for your warm welcome everyone and for the link about Alex. I am confident about the food - I guess I am looking for reasons for Bobby's illness - but the more I read, the more I think it is just one of those things and he was unlucky this time. About Alex, I was just shocked when I realised he had died because earlier, whilst I was looking at the Harrison's site, I came across a page where they show Alex before Harrison's and Alex 'today' - and I thought that it must be a recent photograph. I must say, I am impressed at the before and after photos of the birds on the site - my Vet does speak very very highly of Harrisons and I have no reason to doubt him. Anyway, I'll let you know how Bobby goes on. Thanks again.

Hi there, I am Carol, an almost grandma [get my full granny status in November this year] an I share my life with my husband and Bobby our lovely Grey. Bobby came to live with us in September 1997 when he was around 3 1/2 years old [we don't know his hatch date] and has been a huge part of our lives ever since. I guess if I am honest, he prefers my husband to me even though I am the one that keeps his living quarters clean, his food cups full and his water fresh!! Anyway Bobby is great fun and such a character as they all are. You can see more of him and hear him at his website: http://www.bobbytheparrot.btinternet.co.uk which I must admit, I haven't updated for a while as I had to reformat my hard drive and haven't got the software I need to get the website sorted. I'll get that done soon. Anyway, Bobby and I are looking forward to meeting you all whether you are feathered or skinny - we don't mind the packaging!! The reason I flew in here is because Bobby is a little bit sick at the moment for the first time in his life and I wanted some advice. I'm glad I did cos you seem to be a friendly bunch and I really do think that a network like this is invaluable when you need some help. Anyway, thanks for reading. Look forward to getting to know you. Bye for now. Bobby and Carol xxxx

Hi there, I am new to this forum but joined in the hope of getting some ideas and help. I have a 13 year old Grey who has been with us for 11 years. He has never had any illness at all and has only ever visited the Vet for an annual check which has always been fine. I recently changed him over to Harrison's from a largely seed diet... it stressed me out more than him but he has been settled on the new food for the last four weeks or so. The other day, I noticed that he was off his food altogether and then last night, I had already decided I would be taking him to see the Vet this morning when Bobby vomited - it was not regurgitation but an actual vomit of watery fluid. I took him to the Vet this morning who says he has an infection of his crop and has prescribed anti-biotics, Bioplus for his water and Polyaid which when mixed is a thick, sticky syrup and I think the only way to administer it is by a syringe. Anyway, I wanted a little bit of advice about syringing the syrup - we have managed a couple of mouthfuls and his face is a sticky mess! but I wonder if there are any tips to help me along here. Also, I am really interested in your views about the food..... I do have faith in Harrison's and my Vet is the one who urged me to change as he swears by it but today, I was doing some research and found that Irene Pepperburg's grey Alex had moved over to Harrisons and although he did very well on it, he suddenly died in September last year [i didn't know that before]. apparently the death was largely unexplained and obviously, it has made me a little worried..... what do you think? Thanks for reading my ramblings... I know you will all understand how concerned I am about my boy - he is a treasure and I can't stand to see him suffering although I must admit, he is a character; even while I am typing this he is sitting on top to the laptop screen although he is fast asleep!! Thanks in advance for your help and advice. Carol