Possible fungus infection

[vilnukoy]

I took one of my Illies this morning to the vet since she refused to eat at all. She lost a lot of weihgt the last 3 days since she wasnt eating right. I wanted to go with her to the vet this afternoon anyways but when she even refused to take food from me, it freaked me out. My vet said that her lungs sound like they are rattling and that she is breathing heavy. He thinks it might be a fungus infection but I wont know anything for sure until Friday. The vet kept my baby in an incubator and they will start feeding her.

Does anybody have experience with a fungus infection? How serious is that type of infection?

Lilian

[shellygirl]

I'm sorry I don't have any advice for you....just my sympathy. It hard having a fid sick. My prayers are with you and her!

[Amie]

It depends on the type of fungus really, as they do different things. Did he mention aspergillus? (sp?) I know the more talkative birds who live in humid climates are susceptible to it. If that's it, Lisa B, a moderator on the African Grey board, has a lot of experience unfortunately with that and can point you in the direction of good nubulizers and such for treatment.

If it's a more common, less dangerous infection, antibiotics have a good track record for lots of infections.

Keep us updated, and you may want to PM Lisa B if the vet put asper as one of the possible causes so you can be prepared. Every moment counts with some fungus infections.

[vilnukoy]

yes, he mentioned it as a possibility. but i wont know anything for sure until friday when they will do the x-ray and maybe more tests. today and tomorrow they will feed her and have her in an inqubator (sp??) with some medication.

i will pm lisa, thanks.

[Lisa B]

thanks guys,,,,,I'm on it.

[Amie]

Originally Posted by Lisa B

thanks guys,,,,,I'm on it.

I love this board. Good things, good things.

[vilnukoy]

i just got off the phone with the vet and got some lab results.

white blood cells to high
red blood cells to low
potassium level to low
protein level in blood to high

x-ray will be done later today, since she is responding well to the feeding and the antibiotics.

[Amie]

I don't know what any of that means other than it sounds like she has an infection, but I'm glad she's responding well. my thoughts are with you and your beeb.

[vilnukoy]

UPDATE X-rays

lungs are ok, no shadows

abdominal area (liver/stomach enlarged)

vet will do another test tomorrow regarding the enlarged abdominal area

fungus is not ruled out, but not the major concern right now

she replies well to the feeding and the antibotics she is on

[Winged_Victory]

Hi,

Thank you for taking your bird to the vet and I hope it is doing better! From the looks of the blood work the bird could have anything from a minor infection to having eaten or chewed on something toxic. I'm sure you have looked to see that all the toys have stainless quick links and not zinc plated. Did the vet see anything in a fecal smear or grams stain?

A fungal infection could be as simple as a yeast infection. Please keep us updated.

gary