Judy Posted April 19, 2007 Share Posted April 19, 2007 My sister owns Paul ,a 40 year old African Grey.He has been with her for about 25 years. He has recently had a clean bill of health from the vet, but has started to lie down during the daytime.He sometimes lies over to one side and sometimes just leans forward onto his chest with his head lying on one side. He has quite a large territory that he roams about in, with plenty of perches and different surfaces to clamber about on. His wings are clipped. He doesn't appear to be unhappy and doesn't appear to be sleeping when he is lying down. We have been wondering whether he might be suffering from arthritis in his legs, or something similar. Does anyone have advice for us please ? Judy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Granpooba Posted April 19, 2007 Share Posted April 19, 2007 Hi Judy, Can not pin down Paul's behavior. But to me, it does not sound normal at all. Even with a clean bill of health from the vet, I would take Paul to another vet. And what I mean is that I would check around your area for a highly recommended AVIARY vet. I would not care how far, I had to travel, I would get Paul there. I do not want to alarm you. But his behavior to me, does not sound normal at all. I could be wrong, but the only time I have ever heard of a bird leaning or lies down, is when the birdie is seriously ill. Perhaps I am wrong and for your sake and Paul's, I sincerely hope that I am wrong. And I hope that somebody else has another opinion. Or a solution. BUT!! Once again, if it were me and any of my birds showed this kind of behavior, I would be on my was to a good aviary vet. My best wishes and good luck to you and Paul. Kindly let us know what you find out. Sincerely, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estream Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Aloha Judy, I am in overwhelming agreement with Dave. In any circumstance when one is unsure about the health and well being of a bird, it's best to take the bird to an avian specialist immediately. Paul's behavior is alarming at best, and things can go south far too quickly to take any chances. My congo Kaleo displayed similar behavior, and while he already had chronic health complications, I encourage you to seek help from an avian specilaist as soon as humanly possible. I wish you and Paul the very best and hope things look up for you both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Hi Judy welcome here B) I agree, I'd take him to a vet as soon as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Monique Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Judy, Here's a list of veterinarians that are board certified. http://www.birdsnways.com/articles/abvpvets.htm I would at least call one that is close to you to get a second opinion (if they are too far to drive). I have never heard of this behavior either. Please let us know how you come out!!! Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linus Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 I agree, with getting a second opinion. I hope Paul is alright. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARIR Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 I agree also....where we are located they're are not any avain vets, I found a "vet" that said he deals with birds...and made the mistake of taking Sammie to him, after the vet got upset with Sammie when Sammie took a nip at him, the vet tried to pick him up by the nape of the neck...needless to say...we are now driving an hour plus, to go to a avian vet.... Some vets know birds and some just say they do....GET A SECOND OPINION, and make sure they are avian vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdgranna Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 I have an amazon who rests on horizontal bars. She is obese due to hypothyroid. She is healthy otherwise according to my avian vet. She has had extensive tests to confirm this. Is your bird overweight? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreyMiester Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Very interesting, does your bird do this only at night? or on and off throughout the day? A second opinion is absolutly a must. I would like to know the results of this. Keep us informed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myasmom Posted April 28, 2007 Share Posted April 28, 2007 I agree with all the others. So many times we hear over and over, USE AN AVIAN VET. With only one avian vet in our state, I was hesitant to drive the 2 1/ hours to our avian vet until I couldn't find a solution to my greys' feather plucking. Once I did it,I would never do otherwise. This is their specialty. I would urge you to seek out an Avian Vet, and I believe you will be very happy you did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 29, 2007 Share Posted April 29, 2007 I hope everything is ok with the little fellow as Judy haven't checked back again since.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estream Posted April 30, 2007 Share Posted April 30, 2007 Thinking of you ... hoping for the very best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARIR Posted April 30, 2007 Share Posted April 30, 2007 Judy, Judy, Judy,,,,,,where are you? how's the baby?????:huh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judy Posted May 1, 2007 Author Share Posted May 1, 2007 Many many thanks for all your best wishes and enquiries about Paul, my sister's parrot. I passed them on to her and this was her first reply.... I got the vet in today because Paul had suddenly seemed worse over the last couple of days: like slow to react to my company and unsure on his feet - like loss of balance. It sort of seemed like he may have had a stroke: his right wing was hanging noticably lower and at one point, hanging right down the side of the cage when he was sat on top... Then he 'jumped' a couple of times only it wasn't jumping it was falling off. this made me think again that he he may have damaged his legs & wing during his recent jumps...) Anyway, he examined Paul but there was nothing blindingly obvious & he said it could be any number of things... After a lengthy description of Paul's normal & recent behaviour he suggested the first thing to try was an injection of anti imflamatory + anti-biotic, which has been done. If that works Paul will need a drop per day (on food) If it makes no difference the next step would be to take blood samples (which would mean an anesthetic) so wouldn't do this unless absolutely necessary... I was a bit 'upset' when he said that Paul was a good age for a caged bird, since I thought he would live til 65-70...He said that is their natural life-span but in captivity they wouldn't be expected to live anywhere near as long and Paul was doing very well by reaching 40. I feel really ignorant now because he described how a caged bird has no exercise and an 'unatural' diet - whereas Paul would naturally fly say 10 miles a day & eat a few grubs & fruit - he now sits around eating 'fast food' (my expression, not his) He had this injection about 8 hours ago now and I think it has perked him up a bit... Will report further news, as & when - Lynne xxx Regards to everyone who has sent their concerns and best wishes. I will get Lynne to continue this as it is her parrot after all. I will also say that all the years my sister has had Paul, he has had his territory extended and now occupies half a small room, with extensive climbing and hiding spaces, toys, ladders and other treasures too numerous to mention. He isn't caged - his cage is just another open room for him to be in if he wants.I always enjoy visits to see him.He likes to join in conversation and provide sound effects for us.( telephone voice, stacking plates and laughter to name but three) Judy xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janeen Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 I was wondering if you had any success with your bird. I have a severe macaw, age unknown because he was confiscated in 1997 also lying on his perch. I have had blood drawn, which was normal, x-rays, which showed nothing, crop swabbed, nothing, plus I have tried nystatin and baytril. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judy Posted January 11, 2008 Author Share Posted January 11, 2008 I am sad to say that Paul very quickly developed blindness following his unusual behaviour. My sister recreated his terrain with as much care as possible so that he could get about and feed but he became distressed. He gradually stopped all his usual chatter and withdrew completely. In the end my sister realised it was unfair to keep him going and much to her great sadness, she had the vet come and put Paul to sleep. It's amazing the gap he has left behind. I have known Paul ever since i was a teenager and I'm 50 now ! The vet was very supportive and my sister donated Paul to him as he said he would be very interested to do some research and an autopsy. He was also having to treat another Grey for something different, and my sister at least felt that Paul would e helping towards more understanding of their make up. I will try to post a picture of Paul that I took last year. Thanks for all your messages. Judy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 I would say the blindness was coming on and that may explain some of the things you described about Paul. I am so sorry for your loss and your sister too as it was her bird. But 40 years is a good life even though they do live longer and he had a happy life at that with all the perks he enjoyed. It does leave a big hole in your heart but just remember the good times you had with him and know that you loved him and he knew that. I look forward to seeing a picture of Paul if you would like to share it with us and we can remember him too. I will keep you and your sister in my thoughts and prayers that your hearts heal quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmcq Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 So sorry to hear of the unfortunate ending to this story of Paul. I can not imagine the grief and hole he left as a life long member of the family. You have my condolences. Letting the Vet perform a necropsy is a wonderful thing to have let happen. As you said, hopefully it will advance their understanding of these wonderful creatures and help them in perhaps treating whatever it is they may have found as the underlying cause. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judy Posted January 11, 2008 Author Share Posted January 11, 2008 I have posted a picture of Paul in the photo album. He enjoyed roaming round his terrain all the time. it was spread over several square yards and was rather like an army assault course ! My sister was always creating new climbing areas and invented toys for him. He loved the head of a broom, which was lovingly nibbled and pared away over several years. And his favourite place to go sometimes was a large earthenware pot, on it's side. Paul could just about turn round in it, and he loved the acoustic effect on his voice. The pot came about one day after he had 'disappeared' from his usual perch. My sister didn't find him until she heard a very strange 'Hello Paul!' coming from the discarded garden pot in the kitchen. After that the pot was his, and I have fond memories of him talking away mysteriously to himself, head first in the pot, with his tail feathers sticking out. RIP<br><br>Post edited by: Judy, at: 2008/01/10 22:08 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmcq Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 What a nice looking Grey Paul was. Thanks for sharing that photo of him. It sounds like he was quite the character and kept you all entertained and provided good companionship at the same time. It is so nice that you have shared this small glimpse into of his 40 year life. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HilaryQ Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 Judy, I'm sorry to hear about the loss of Paul. What a sad story - although 40 years of being adored and loved on is better than any dog or cat has ever received and it sounds like they were really wonderful, interactive years. I'm curious about the necropsy results - did you ever hear back from the vet? All my best, Hilary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HilaryQ Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 strange - my post was duplicated...<br><br>Post edited by: HilaryQ, at: 2008/01/11 02:20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kibibi Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 That's so sad and I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. But I'm sure that you have a lot of wonderful memories of Paul that will last forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judy Posted January 11, 2008 Author Share Posted January 11, 2008 Thank you so much for all you kind sentiments. I'll try to find out what the results were. Best wishes to you all Judy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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