Amy's white blood count is......

[Linda64]

25, the range should be 4-10. She gets so stress when she goes to the vet and I know that stress can elevate the white blood count, but the doctor thinks that she has a baterial infection. Amy has to be toweled and since she is fully flighted, she flies frantically around the room and her heart is racing before she is finally toweled. I don't know if I want to put her through this or not, can't believe this kind of stress is good for her. She is eating, playing, clicking her beek, and is a happy bird. Although I know birds can mask their illnesses, but I believe that Amy is a healthy bird. I forgot to add the trip to the doctor is 2 hours away and Amy gets car sick every step of the way....more stress on her body! the vet also wants to give an antibiotic shot, like in humans, unless she is very sick, I don't want to put this medicine into her system....there has to be side effects.

Your thoughts please!

Thanks,
Linda

[MammaKim]

I think I read somewhere that if it is more than doubled, it is definitely a sign of infection. If it were me, I would get her on the meds. I had a cockatiel that had a severe infection that required 2 shots a day for about 2 weeks - my vet back then taught me how to give the injections myself, and I did it at home. It helped illeviate the stress of having to go to the vet so often. I dont know if you would be comfortable with doing that, but maybe it is an option? Good Luck, whatever you choose.

[Greycloud]

Is this an avian vet? I can't imagine an expert avian vet having a problem toweling a bird. Fully flighted or not my vet just scoops them up. If she flies around the vet should have toweled her in the crate. This will illiviate all that extra stress and upset! I don't know what to tell you about the antibiotic shot. If she has an infection she needs meds. However the vet should be able to diagnose the type of bacteria to know which antibiotic treats that particular stain. Did they do a crop or fecal culture? Not every antibiotic works. To put a bird on multiple doses of a broad spectrum antibiotic can be dangerous. I think you need to talk to your vet more, or find another. I understand you have to drive far so I am assuming it is an avian vet. Do they have a partner you could switch to?

[Linda64]

No, the doctor didn't do a culture, but he looked at some poop that I collected before we arrived at his office and said it looked normal. Yes, this is an avian vet, and I am not taking Amy back to him. I have talked with Amy's breeder who has 20 years of experience with birds of all kinds and she said that there is such a difference in what is thought to be the normal range. Wendy said that the range is more like 19-22. She has had birds with an even higher white blood count reading and the avian vet told Wendy he didn't recommend any meds. Since Amy is eating well, playing, taking showers, displaying, being affectionate, and acting like she normally does, Wendy felt she was healthy. Wendy suggested that I give Amy organic yogurt to help get some friendly bacteria into her system.

Thanks for your help!

Linda

[Monica]

Can you please explain "looked at some poop --- said it looked normal" in more detail?

I've had an avian vet diagnose one of my birds with liver disease. After speaking with two other avian vets, both agree that her liver values are fine, but that there may be an indication of kidney failure (in fact, one vet now believes the bird is a kidney patient).


Why does Amy need to be toweled? Can you find another a-vet that is will do a fecal to look for bacterial or fungal infections?

[Linda64]

Yes, as stated earlier, he simply looked at the poop that I had collected from the car when we arrived, telling me that he saw nothing that looked abnormal.

I had taken Amy to this same avian vet 6 years ago, but was not impressed with the way he intereacted with Amy this visit. I am not planning on taking Amy back to this doctor. Unfortunately, we live in a small town so there are no avian vets less than 150 miles away. Amy get car sick each and every time she rides in the car which definitely adds to her stress. Amy was toweled by the vet to draw blood and to have her beak and nails trimmed. At home I successfully trim Amy's nails and have even given her meds without toweling her. I simply explain to Amy what I am going to do and she understands and doesn't panic.

Amy's appetite is good, she displays and since she is fully flighted, she flies beautifully. Amy has always been a very good natured and sweet baby, and at 10 years old she hasn't changed

[Monica]

If he didn't make a slide using a fecal sample, you need a new avian vet!

Check out this thread... perhaps it'll help you find a better a-vet!
Find Your Local Avian Vet Here!

In regards to being car sick which I forgot to address, ginger may help. You can also try various ways of helping her out. If she can see outside, cover her up so that she can only see you. If she can't see, try giving her a view. Get air flowing within the vehicle either throug the AC or opening up a couple windows. You only need to open them up no more than an inch or two, just enough that there is air movement. In regards to the ginger, check out the following links!

The Kitchen Physician Medicinal Foods
The Kitchen Physician Herbal Remedies for Parrots
Kitchen Physician - Ask Mother Nature - Healthcare

If you need help finding the specific information about ginger, just presst CTrl + F then type in ginger.


If Amy is not "towel trained" you might want to do so. Especially if she finds getting toweled to be a stressful event. It's somewhat mandatory to have a bird toweled during an office visit.
Good Bird Inc Parrot Training Talk: Training a Parrot to Love a Towel
Good Bird Inc Parrot Training Talk: Playing with Parrots. Make it Count


Best of luck!

[Linda64]

Monica, thanks for all the information, it is very much appreciated. I have a pet carrier that Amy travels in, but as soon as we get in the car she is begging to get out. We always have air circulating in the car. I will get some fresh ginger, and as suggested by the link you provided, will make a tea and mix morning oatmeal with the tea rather than make it with water.

[Monica]

Hope it works! Wonder if perhaps changing how you travel with her may also help!


Keep us updated on her!

[Linda64]

I am open to any suggestions you may have! Thanks!!!