Stargazing disease information?

[chinniechantel]

My exotic vet that sees my other animals and Paco my other bird works at the Wildlife Care Center a lot, and will only be there the next few weeks. She is great with my chins and hedgehogs, and I trust her with check-ups for Paco, but if there was anything serious I would want a specialist. My vet said I can bring him to the Wildlife Care Center sooner, but there are a lot of sick birds there and I don't want to risk that with my Larry Boy. I am surprised and not too happy that she even offered, hence why I am finding a new vet.

I found a new all bird clinic and have an appointment on Tuesday. They have heard of stargazing and will see if they can do anything. We will start with a CBC and gram and fecal stain and then see what else can help.

I have read that Nystatin, Sulf drugs, and vitamin B are my main options. I will definitely advocate aggressive treatment.

At first I really thought he was just scared, adjusting, etc. Then I realized this is a neurological problem and he needs help. I contacted his past owner and asked about his behavior before, if he has always been like this, and what his diet was. She has not gotten back to me. I just despise this woman and I would sue her just to make her think about how she treats her birds...she has a Sulfur Crested as well as an African Grey I saw, I hope that is all. I am considering calling animal services on her. But if I want her help I need to be civil for now.

No matter what I will make his life as happy and comfortable as possible, and hopefully it is a long life! He seems a bit better in his modified cage, he just has the top half of a cage I split in half, and I have a solid bottom for him like he likes. We have some thick perches down low and one about 12" up that is flat and easy to grip, so far he likes it and is screaming less.

I read that stargazing may be permanent, but as long as he can get to food and water he should hopefully be ok. I truly hope that is the case. He grooms just fine and is otherwise perfect and normal. He is really beautiful and is so sweet when he is not lunging at me ;-)

He can stop the twirling for awhile, especially when he is occupied, but when scared or you breath wrong he starts again. So, we move very slooooowly around him and that seems to help as well. I give him tons of toys and foraging toys to keep him busy, but he does not like them really except pieces of pine I stick on the floor. He loves to turn those into toothpicks. I hope to learn what is best for him and change things to help him feel as comfortable as possible. Thank you all so much for the help, it really means a lot to me and Larry Boy.

[Lisa B]

I hope all goes well, and let us know how it goes....Are you going to Backos?

[chinniechantel]

Yes, I am going to Backos if I cannot work something out sooner with me vet. Do you know them?

[chinniechantel]

Larry died in my arms on Sunday. I am just devastated, he was fine the night before, just his normal self. When I woke up on Sunday morning he was lying on the cage floor, barely breathing. I called my vet and she was out of town, but said she would call her partner and see if he could help me. He said he could meet me at the wildlife care center. He suspected heavy metal poisoning, and I confirmed the cage he was in before he came here was very rusty. He took x rays and sure enough found little white spots in the film, indicating heavy metal poisoning. By then he was getting worse and worse and the vet told me to hold him. He even tried injecting him with something to bind to and help remove the metal, but it was too late. He died in my arms. I am just so sad and mad at the previous owners. On top of it all I had surgery yesterday removing a huge chunk of my arm where I was diagnosed with melanoma. I also had to have a lymph node removed. I came home to his empty cage and was just upset. I miss his crazy circle and cute little squawk. I just cannot believe he is gone. Poor poor Larry Boy. May he rest in peace over rainbow bridge. Till we meet again Larry Boy.

[Angelsmum]

I am so very very sorry. I also hope that you have a swift recovery.

[Greycloud]

I am so sorry! I know you must be heartbroken. Poor Larry, I wonder how long he suffered at the hands of the old owner. I am sure he was very uncomfortable with his physical ailments, but now take comfort that his misery is over and he is at rest. I feel so bad for you having tried to do the right thing for him.
I am so sorry to hear of your own ill health. I pray that tests come back negative so that you may begin to heal in all ways. You need to stay mentally strong right now for yourself to get better. Take care.

[Chico's Mom]

I am so very sorry for your loss. You provided hospice care for Larry Boy, and when he passed he was in the arms of someone he trusted and knew would only give comfort and good things to him, and so his passing was merciful even if his life wasn't. I was so sad to read of his passing, and will keep you in my thoughts.

[T.W.]

Sorry to hear about your loss of Larry, if anything, hopefully it raises people's awareness about how deadly rusty cages are. Although he was only with you a short time, it sounded like he was very happy, and I am sure he knew you loved him unconditionally, as he was. He's flying free now, with his little mind at rest.

[Lisa B]

I was just comin on to say yes, I have been to Backos.


I am sorry to hear of the end result, and wish for good news on your end.
I wish I could have been of more help.

[becca623]

I'm very sorry! I just saw your post. How sad and unfair. Take comfort in knowing that his last days on earth were full of love. How sad yet sweet that you were able to be with him when he passed. There's no doubt he left feeling loved.