Little Bit Lory Update

[LGood22573]

I just got back from my trip to the UT Veterinary Hospital in Knoxville. The specialist assigned to my case was Michael Jones (woo hoo!!!!) . I ended up having to stay for 2 days, due to all the tests Little Bit endured (poor baby). They poked, prodded, drew blood, ran every culture imaginable, xrays, ultrasounds, and today he ended up with actual surgery. Instead of doing an endoscopy, they opened up his chest and took 5 samples of his liver to be biopsied. The large sac of fluid I have been talking about, wasn't fluid at all. It was Little Bit's liver, it is so enlarged. His breathing problems are also due to the fact his liver is taking up a large part of his abdomen and his air sacs can't do their job. All the tests came back saying the same thing... liver is sick. So we wait. The liver pathology will be back in 10 days with the final diagnosis. Dr. Jones has 4 possibile diagnosis at this point:
-Blunt force liver trauma and the liver is scarred significantly and not working properly.
-Iron storage disease
-cancer
-bacterial infection of the liver

The pathology will reveal which one of these it is. For now, he is on a strict and I mean strict diet and is taking a medicine to help his liver function, along with milk thistle, and pain meds. Poor guys abdomen is full of stitches. I feel so bad for him. But he is taking it like a champ. At this point, I feel anything other than cancer has some hope attached to it. I am SO thankful I was able to take him to such a well known specialist and get a second opinion instead of jumping the gun for euthanasia. I do trust my vet, but he does not have the same capabilities as such a large hospital. So for now the prognosis is "we wait".

THANK YOU so much for all the prayers, well wishes, and words of encouragement!!!

My baby and I are home, and I am exhausted-mentally and physically.

Lisa

[Courtzrocks]

Oh gosh, I hope everything goes well! Give an extra snuggle from me!

[Ashling]

You poor things! I hope your little birdy gets better soon! Me and my lori's thoughts go out to you both. It's a draining thing- emotionally and physically- to see your animal in such a way. Don't worry- you'll all pull through!!!

[greencinacheeks]

Hope the lilttle birdie gets better soon!!!

[Lisa B]

Lisa thanks for the update. not seeing you for a few days threw me. I was worried. I am glad you got him to UT and that things look positive.
thanks for the email. It was the first I read today!
keep us posted on how he is doing...

[Abyssinian1]

Wow... I hope everything will work out and that your little guy will be on the mend soon. Birds are such fragile things - he's come through surgery okay and they'll at least have a definative answer for you. Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your lory.

[Bradleyzoo]

You and your baby are in our thoughts and prayers. We wish you the best and hope your baby gets well really soon. We understand how unbelieveably difficult it is when your baby is sick. It is so stressful, and just rips your heart out. Please take good care of yourself too, cuz your baby will know if you´re not doing well and that will add stress to her/him. (waaaaaaayyyyyyyyy easier said than done) Please keep us posted as to how you´re both doing.

[SunMommy]

Poor little baby. I hope he is all better soon.

I am in Knoxville. Glad to know the vet hospital is so great.

[birdlady49]

That was an amazing message and it's exciting that your little guy survived all the testing and the surgery! Especially the surgery! Is it possible that Dr Jones can remove part of the infected liver so the healthy part can regrow?