Stress from the vet?

[Shockadine]

I had my birds blood work done a few days ago. The results came back yesterday. Hayley was normal, but the miligold's white blood cell count is a little high. The vet said it was probably stress, and we are taking her back in a couple weeks to make sure it didn't go up. What scares me is that our other vet told us the same thing about Serene (my last miligold). The normal count is between 5,000 and 10,000. Hers is 13,000, but everything else was normal. That's the same as Serene's was when she was 6 weeks old, and she died at 5 months from aspergillosis. Her white cell count went up to 27,000 in the end. This one is a year old now and she was normal when she was first checked at 14 weeks, when her count was only about 7,000. She was probably stressed about me wrestling her flight suit on and taking her to the vet, but do you think that could really do it? Nothing has changed here. She didn't let me touch her for about 2 or 3 days after the vet visit. I'm hoping that was the only problem, but that seems a little far fetched to me.

Has anyone ever had a bird with an elevated white cell count, just because of stress?

[Gems]

I would think there may be something else, although that is really not that high.
Are you concerned that this bird may have the same thing? I believe that GSE will kill aspergillosis and is harmless to the bird. Might not hurt to give it a try if that is potentially a problem.

[Squawksx3]

Ours would sometimes show a little high and yes, the vet did say that it could be because of stress... however, he would do other tests just to make sure everything was ok. Not sure what the other tests were :o ... we just told him to do what he needed to do. Can they test for aspergillosis?. What causes it and is it contagious?... I cant remember if you said before. I think I would keep a close eye on it to be on the safe side... I hope its nothing. Keep us updated.

[Squawksx3]

I did a search and found this:

http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/aspergil.htm



Aspergillosis
by Hannis L. Stoddard III, DMV


Aspergillosis is the most common fungal infection in birds caused by aspergella fumigates. Although birds are commonly exposed to the spores of this fungus, they develop the disease only under certain conditions. If a bird's immune system is suppressed by a concurrent illness, malnutrition or stress, it may become sick after exposure. Stress-induced Aspergillosis is frequently seen in birds subjected to surgery, reproduction, environmental changes, capture, confinement or shipping.
Aspergella, as well as other fungi, grows readily in damp, dark conditions with poor ventilation. Encrusted fecal matter, damp feed, dirty feeding utensils and food that falls through cage grates all encourage mold growth. Interestingly, we see a high incidence of Aspergillosis in birds in the southwest where the environment is dry and not conducive to fungal replication. The speculation is the low humidity, coupled with the dusty environment, interferes with the normal mucous secretion in the birds' respiratory tracts and predisposes them to mycoses.

Two forms of Aspergillosis are commonly seen in Amazons. The first is an acute generalized form characterized by the fungus in the lower respiratory tree as well as in the intestinal tract and other organs. Patients with this form of Aspergillosis exhibit labored respiration, severe depression and extreme emaciation, and are generally very ill. Unfortunately, the mortality rate is exceptionally high in this form. The second form is called a chronic localized form. This is the most common type of infection seen in Amazons. This chronic Aspergillosis tends to develop localized aspergellomas (pockets of fungal infection). The location will determine the clinical signs. A common place for aspergellomas to localize in Amazons is in the sinus cavity, characterized by intermittent mucoid exudation.

Diagnosis of avian Aspergillosis can be difficult, at best, other than by autopsy. Tentative diagnosis can be made with clinical signs as well as the absence of bacterial infection in moist exudates. A blood test showing an elevation in white blood cell count, mild anemia and an elevation in the monocytes also supports this diagnosis. X-rays should be taken on any suspect patient-many times the radiograph will reveal densities or nodules consistent with aspergellomas. Additionally, your avian veterinarian should take samples and attempt to culture the fungus in specially prepared culture media. Blood should also be submitted for serologic evaluation.


Once a bird is diagnosed as having Aspergillosis, appropriate treatment should be instituted by a qualified avian veterinarian. Each treatment protocol has to be tailored to the individual bird. A prerequisite for success is removing the concurrent immunosuppression that exists. This can be accomplished by management, by treating concurrent maladies and by the judicious use of immunostimulants. Aggressive antifungal treatment is in order, either localized or systemic. Surgery may be necessary with certain localized Aspergellomas, while aggressive nebulization and sinus flushings are warranted in certain other cases. Additionally, a long-term treatment schedule should be instituted


**** because you already lost one to this, I would have the vet run all the necessary tests just to make sure. ;)

[Shockadine]

I kind of doubt it's aspergillosis at this time in her life. She's kept in very clean conditions. Hopefully her next test will come out better. If not, I'll have more tests run on her. It's good to know that she probably isn't sick, but she will be tested again to be safe.

[WAbirdlady]

Tiny, my male cockatiel's white blood cell count has alway been high.The vet told me that because it doesn't go up or down that it's probably normal for him.