sievj

Thanks for that, judygram. I think I am merely paranoid after last week's vet venture. There are so few avian vets in the Chicago area. I think she did all she could and I am simply overreacting. I feel as I did when I had my first child, Sarah. I focused on the minutia of her health...SHe survived my motherhood and when two boys followed, they were not treated like 'eggshells'. i will try to get pictures posted...not sure how to do that, tho. I have a digital camera, but don't know how to upload stuff to computer... sorry, I am old school but teachable. Have a blessed Easter, all. (or Passover) Again, thank you for much help and support. Jane

Hi again, Grey loving family! WHile Sherlock is behaving much more'normally'''talking, kissing, dropping head for scratches, I have noticed a bulgy area near where I think her crop is. SHe has pecked feathers off here, so her pink skin is visible. SHe has be SO good about taking meds and making the transition to Harrison's and organic stuff - vegetables - carrots, beet greens, squash - brown rice, eggs, mango, sugar snap peas. I am worried about this crop thing. The avian vet's diagnosis was rather...vague... gastritis. Even after Xrays, that is the best she could do. Do your greys' crops bulge and then deflate? I know that this is part of the digestive tract, but I am now super sensitive to every change. I hate to divulge this - but her excrement is fairly 'normal'...not watery and darker due to the diet change. Have any of you had this problem with gastritis that is mis-diagnosed, or that won't go away? Sherlock's diet is really good, I think. SHe is ALL over the Harrison's bread...the pellets...eh not so much. With this and the antibiotics and the calcium booster, I truly thought that she was 'out of the woods.' Anyh input is so helpful from you. Have I told you all how much I appreciate you?

Ha a parront! I love this. SHerlock is amazing greyce!

Hi all. Update on Sherlock - She is doing marvelously well with the diet transition from 'junk food' to pellets and veggies. She is not so fond of kale (can't blame her), LOVES Harrison's bird bread that I made on Wed. I made a squash/brown rice/yogurt mash - no recipe, just tried to invent something palatable ...verdict is still out. I threw in a bit of eggshell, which my vet did not advise, but so many grey owners swear by this. I think the texture is weird for her? I was delighted to know that when given pellets first, Sherlock will eat them. (Harrison's high potency course that vet gave as samples) Now I need to find a larger bag and maybe try something finer than 'course'. WHat do you think? Sherlock is rewarded for taking her meds with an almond and 2 peanuts! Woo hoo! Thnaks again for help and input! Time to buy a kitchen scale for Sherlock.

thank you all so much. Sherlock is home!!! Yahoooo! Diagnosis- gastritis, prob from too many nuts...that is all she would eat - almonds, peanuts, pumpkin/sunflower seeds. She is on anti-biotics and calciquid, and probiotics. I have to adjust diet...drastically. I have begun a regiment of pellets and kale,watercress, broccoli, and a few peanuts to help w the transition. The entire staff did not wnat me to take her home... they loved the 'bon jour' 'wanna buy a book' 'don't bite' 'knucklehead'and many other phrases she would repeat, and her boogie dance was a favorite. I thank God she is going to be okay, as long as I get the food thing under control. I appreciate all of your advice and encouragement; you are wonderful. Hugs to you all. From both Sherlock and me!

Again, thank you all for your loving thoughts and prayers. Sherlock is much better - x-ray revealed potential problem in upper g.i. (I need to be more intentional about the inner workings of her little body...before Sunday I thought a crop - as I am from Iowa - referred to corn and beans) Bloodwork was not back as of 4 pm Monday, but she is responding well to antibiotics, so there was prob some infection. Had a lengthy conversation w the doc about her diet...I felt so stupid..My aunt and uncle said that she wastes a lot of food ("Fiesta") and mostly eats peanuts, squash seeds and almonds...so I was even buying more of these at the local grocer...hey she LIKED it, it must be good for her...WOOPS. In the past year, I have never seen her eat a pellet. Doc mentioned a vitamin A deficiency - gosh, no wonder. I have offered tomoates, carrots, broccoli,oranges, apples, any fresh veggies and fruits that I have. At times she will gobble these, other days, as they say in Chicago 'fuh-gedd-aboud-id'. Lord willing, I will be able to bring her home today. I will ask about better food for Sherlock - and a place to purchase. If you have any suggestions, I am most teachable! Again, I appreciate deeply your help, prayers and encouragement. Any advice is welcome. More to follow...

Thank you all so much for the wonderful support and prayers. You are wonderful. Sherlock (my uncle named him this as he used to be head of covert ops in CIA...then 'she laid and egg') made it through the night ! I visited this morning, spending an hour with her on my shoulder at the vet's. SHe did not want to get off, was digging her claws in. today involved the 'transfer' from one practice to another - general 911 for pets on nights & weekends, exotic pet practice from 9-5 weekdays. I have to wait until 4 p.m. to call...eh. Sherlock will spend another night there, and if a diagnosis is made and treatment follows, she could be home tomorrow!!! A much better day for us both !!! Thank you all....more to follow...

Thank you so much...I have used mostly water when cleaning cage, but have used a water/vinegar mix rarely. I bought peanuts and almonds from the grocery store, as that is what she seems to eat primarily. She picks through all of her 'Fiesta' large beak stuff to find the peanuts, almonds and pumpkin seeds, so I (stupidly) figured that this is what her body craves. (Just like 'couch potatoe kids crave junk food) In the past year, I have never seen her eat a pellet of any kind, and my aunt and uncle said this is 'normal' for Sherlock..no big deal. I hav esupplemented her diet with all kinds of fresh fruit and veggies...a few weeks ago, I gave her some left-over salmon that we had for dinner...she loved it...can Greys eat this? I checked and didn't find any negatives regarding this, but , idk. I will let you know when I have an update. I LOVE pics of all of your birds, people. This is a true comfort to me today. Thank you.

thank you. Went to the vet - a 911 emergency place...the exotic bird doc won't be there until tomorrow at 9 am (I am in the Chicago area.) They are holding her there, will try a stool check. I learned that Greys and other parrots mask health while really rather sick, I started bawling...her symptoms only presented yesterday afternoon. This morning her crop was bulgy, due to excess fluid. I will call them again in a few more hours for an update...she may not even make it through the night. I said good-bye (Please, Dear God, not forever)and bawled. I fell in love with this sweet, incredibly intelligent bird...I never was a bird-lover, but Sherlock won me over the first time she said "bon jour!" when I uncovered her cage in the morning. She has been a cuddly, bright and FUNNY family member. Quite a solace and comedian she has been as I am in the third year of a horrible, expensive divorce from an abusive spouse. She learns quickly, except to say, God bless you after I sneeze. Sorry, this is probably too much information for this site. I am new as of today. I want to call the vet every hour...waiting til 5 pm, or 4, or ...3. Thank you for your help. I am very sad and worried. If she makes it through the night, I will meet with the aviary vet @ 9a.m. Monday...she may be transported from there to a better facility. I requested CPR if necessary while they administer antibiotics (if needed) - but - the prognosis is not good. I am wondering what I did...? Again thank you...time for Kleenex

I am a new Grey owner - I have had my uncle's bird for a year now. She has just begun regurgitating and I am very worried. It does not seem to be the same as other threads I have read - the love, mating thing. Rather, Sherlock is quieter and hasn't really pooped since yesterday. Her stool was loose and runnier than normal yesterday. The regurgitation smells... salty...very clear like saliva, no food. Last night she seemed to perk up, but this morning when I checked on her, there was a lot of fluid on her papers in cage, as though regurgitating all night. Do I rush to the vet? She is perching, but not talking as much. HELP!?