KdK

Thought I would give everyone an update on Vree! He is doing really well. I heard back from the original specialist that was called and he confirmed everything that we are doing and apologized for not getting back to me sooner that he did not have my phone number until I called and left him a message earlier in the day! Anyway! Vree's balance is improving and I can tell he is feeling better. He is asking for head scritches and preening his feathers more. He definitely loves that I am spending so much time with him and that he is sleeping in the bedroom with me! He is very tired of his tub though and I can see him trying to figure out how to escape! I am happy to see him returning to his cheerful self. I just have to keep hoping he'll continue to regain control of his legs. Thank you for all of your well wishes

I have been thinking very hard about this same matter since Vree hurt himself....wondering if having his feathers unclipped might have helped him some how from falling in his cage and hurting himself. I will not have his wings clipped again (provided it is okay for him to fly once he's recovered of course). It is interesting to read everyone's opinions.

Greywings, that is exactly my thought! It is cold and nasty outside and the vet I spoke with is 3.5 hours each way. My inclination is to wait and not stress him further.

Okay!!! Good news One of the specials I called, called me right back!!!!! The good news is that she said thus far I have done everything that could be done. That there is not a surgical option for this situation (as I described it to her) simply pain meds and wait and see. She said there should be improvement by 6 days and that I would need to wait 6 weeks to see how much improvement he makes at that point. That he is eating, drinking and eliminating normally is the most important thing. At six weeks depending on the improvement or lack thereof a quality of life decision made need to be made. So now I am deciding if I want to drive to the specialist on Monday just to reconfirm this...

So so so ANGRY!!!!!!! I called my vet this morning to find out that as I already knew the vet that saw Vree is on early maternity leave but the other exotic vet there has not been in the office all week and won't be back until Monday!!!! Which they did not tell me when I called two days ago...they even told me that vet would call me back that day!!! Specialist has still not gotten back to them allegedly but who knows since they are obviously short staffed. So I have now called specialist office myself and am waiting for a call back..... Despite all this Vree does seem to be improving...he has better control of legs and in still doing good in all other respects... I am livid, and so upset because I trusted these vets to be on top of this and they clearly have not been and I feel like I have let Vree down...

I feel like Vree has had a much better day today. His appetite is improved, he is drinking well and his balance seems to be better. I am not sure how else to describe it. I am very disappointed to have still not heard back from my vet and am going to be taking things a bit more into my own hands as I just don't feel Vree's situation is being giving the attention he deserves. Thank you Dave, for the PM

It does feel like ages since we've been to the vet! I spoke with the office yesterday and they just haven't heard back from the specialist. I think they were going to have mail the xrays to him...ugh...I just wish they would hurry!!! Vree was good all night but at some point must have rolled around into his feces because I had the carefully wipe the back of his head this morning! Poor guy Keeping him quiet is something of a challenge! I hope to hear more from the vet today, fingers crossed.

Vree seems to be having a good evening, resting comfortably for the most part. I am very happy because a few minutes ago he actually moved himself a little bit to eat some of his monkey biscuit mush!! Since his accident I have mostly been feeding him tidbits by hand. So it made my happy to see him want to go to his food! Just wanted to share!

Thank you so much for all your encouragement I just got off the phone with my vet's office and it turns out the vet that saw Vree had to go on early maternity leave! She had put in a call to a specialist and they are waiting to hear bac form him but in the mean time the other avian vet in their practice should be calling me this afternoon. Vree is doing okay...he is very frustrated that he can't get his legs to work right. I can tell he likes that I am bringing his tub with me everywhere are sitting with him! Unfortunately I am not getting anything else done! He chowed down on some of the bread I bake for him last night and has been snacking on some pellets here and there. So hopefully I will hear something good this afternoon, I will keep everyone posted.

I am Kathryn and I don't have any pictures with Vree but this is me Okay, I am having a difficult time working out the picture thing, so here is a link! http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30044715&l=6d35867919&id=1116980909 P<br><br>Post edited by: KdK, at: 2010/02/03 04:04

Okay the picture didn't upload since it was to big, but here is a link! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2021790&id=1116980909&l=916a5895bb

Hi, New here! I posted on the health forum about my poor Vree and his broken back. Vree is a 13 month old Congo African Grey. I purchased him form a breeder and am so lucky and happy to have such a sweet and cheerful boy! My husband travels a lot and Vree is such good company to have. This picture is of him hanging out with me in the kitchen. He likes to be where ever I am and I try to let him!

Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! His name is Vree (I did have him tested) and I have known him since just after he was hatched and I brought him home after we was weaned. I currently have him in a small clean plastic tub that he can not get out of lined with a towel that I change regularly. I am offering all of his favorite foods both in small low bowls and out of my hand. He sometimes prefers to eat from my hand. I have been keeping him next to me at all times except when I have to leave the house to take care of my other animals! (I have 3 dogs and 5 horses as well ) I am about an hour away from Lexington , Kentucky and my vet (in Lexington) said she was going to consult with specialists in Louisville and Cincinnati. I just feel so awful for him...

Hi, I just found this forum while trying to find some ideas for my boy. He is a 13 month old Congo African Grey and some how he hurt himself in his cage yesterday. I was not in the room and I heard squawking, flapping and that a crash. I ran downstairs and found him at the bottom of his cage. He could not stand but could flap his wings. I immediately called my vet and got an appointment. The xrays show that his spine is fractured. It is straight from and overhead view but from the side view the best way to describe it is that it has slipped under itself. The break is fairly far down. The vet sent him home with meds and said to keep him very quiet while she consults with specialists as she has never seen a break like this. I am so upset, he is the sweetest most cheerful little bird and I love him. I haven't head back form the vet yet and it is so hard to watch him so unhappy in the little clear tub I have him in. He is drinking when I offer him water, defecating normally and selectively eating. I am not sure what I am hoping for, maybe suggestions on making his cage rest more comfortable?