what's wrong with him?!?!?! please help

[jackie]

there is something wrong with sam, my older amazon. yesterday, i was sitting on the computer doing some homework. i heard sam flap his wings a few times and fall off the tree. i didn't go running over there or anything cause it's not uncommon for one of them to lose their grip while climbing to the different branches. usually, they get right back up and climb back onto their tree. i was studing, and it was quiet so i was expecting to here him move, but i didn't. i knew something must be wrong, and there was. i went over to the tree. he was on his back and his neck was upsidedown and lumped off to the side. (it looked like he was dead and had broken his neck) i was frantic. i cupped him and my hands and ran down stairs with tears steaming down my face. i ran all over looking for my parents. then, he jerked his head, seemed to come back to life in a second and bit me! (he probally just bit me because he was scared) i went back upsairs and cuddled with him on my bed. he kept on jerking his head around, but it must have hurt. after about 30 minutes, i went to put him back on the tree. as soon as he was off, he fell down to the ground and landed on his back. he didn't even flap his wings or anything on the way down. his head was off on the side again and again, i was frantic. i picked him up and put him in my bed. i sang to him and stoked him etc. my boyfriend got really mad at me for not rushing him to the vet, but if my baby is dieing, i'm going to spend every second with him (the vet is about an hour away). in a few minutes, he popped his head back up and seemed fine except for twitching his head around. after about another 30 minutes, i realized he couldn't stand...he had been laying on his side. about 20 minutes after that, he was able to sit, and about an hour after that, he was able to stand, but unsteadiably. he slept for the rest of the day. he seemed to gain his balace at about midnight, but was still twitching his head. today, he seems to be fine, but hasn't eaten and has been sleeping all day. any advice?

[birdgirl]

make sure he eats and drinks force feed him if you have to!!!! other then that keep him worm and please take him to the vet. I really hope he gets better.
you have a boyfriend that likes birds? thats soooo cool.
I'm sorry I can't be of more help:(

[jackie]

thanks...actually, he hates them :(, but he knew that if he died or got really sick, i would lock myself in my room and cry all day...lol

[birdgirl]

oh well I guess being sweet makes up for his dislike of birds ;) how is sam doing now?

[Jenny]

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that!!! :( I would have been crying so much! I'd definitely take him to the vet right away, even if it is an hour away. If he was close to dieing, that's all the more reason to take him, and you can spend time with him in the car. It sounds like he could be having seizures, and the vets can definitely help you out and save your bird before it's too late, because this sounds extremely serious. AT LEAST call your vet and tell them about the situation. Vets usually hate it when people call and try to get free advice over the phone instead of taking their pets in, and take up tons of their time, but I'd still do it! (they get over it) ;) What else I'd do woudl be to put towels on the floor to cushion his fall if it happens again, and don't keep him on the manzanita since 1) it's pretty slippery and 2) it's far off the ground. I'd get him some of the wide rope perches to use, and make a small area for him to play on close to the ground. I sure hope he gets better!!!!!

[jackie]

well, sam still hasn't gone to the vet, and the vet is on VACATION!!!!! i called and the secretary was like "oh...he's in flordia, i can make you appointment for next monday though" omg :( anyways, he's back to sitting...i started hand feeding him today. he'll take it, but VERY slowly. i think that he has brain damage or something. he's acting like a chick, all smushed in the corner and wobbling his head around and watching everything like he's never seen it before. also, i didn't used to be able to touch him, now, he doesn't even know i'm petting him till he turns his head and sees me. i put a towel on the floor and he's just been sitting there for a while.

[Jenny]

Sounds like your right...:( I hope there's something the vets can do for poor Sam! Best wishes to you both!

[jackie]

well, it seems like sam had a brain aneurysm that exploded. that's what gave him the seizure and made him go unconcious. he lost all memory and normal body functions including natural instincts. he sleeps on his back on the floor. he doesn't know what to do with seed, he just plays with it in his mouth and then drops it. he doen't seem to know what water is and is afraid of his dish. i don't think he has any feeling either. this condition is fatal. you can get sugery, but because it is in and around the brain, you wil have a lot of brain damage. we are probally going to have to get him euphonized! :( i can't believe this is happening to him...and to me! i've never had to deal with death before...well, nothing more than a goldfish jumping oout of it's bowl. my boyfriend is being extremely suppotive and i think he understands that i'm not going to want to do anything any time soon. for calorie reasons, is it ok to give him sugar water (not that it really matters anymore:()

[birdygirl]

(((Jackie)))

I think you should keep being positive and spend lots of time with your Amazon. I'm glad that your boyfriend is being supporitve. But don't give 't give you Amazon sugar water.

[jackie]

ok, thank you. i bought some formula and baby food which is thin enough to feed through a syringe. the only problem now is he absolutle terrified of it! i haven't gotten closer than 6 inches without him flapping his wings and falling on his back. he hasn't eatin anything for about 48 hours now, but he won't take it. also, i can't hold his head and force either because his head is stonger than my hand. what should i do now?

[birdygirl]

Hang in there and don't give up. See if you have an emergency vet in your area. We have a big Pet Hospital for emergencies in Ohio. It is the Metro Pet Hospital. see if you can find maybe another avian vet.

[birdygirl]

Dr. rosemary Jones
324 North Washington Street
Maryville, TN 37804
office phone # 423/681-8431

Knoxville, TN - Cheryl B. Greenacre (Univ of TN) - 865-974-5570

Knoxville, TN - Michael P. Jones (Univ of TN) - 865-974-5576

There are three vets. Bird talk has them on their site.
birdtalk.com

click on Classifieds. Use scroll bar to find services and products.

Use other bar to find veterinary services. There may be some in your area.

Also use search engines typing Avian Vets in tennesse.

You phone book my be useful check under veterinarians in the phone book.

[Jenny]

Poor Sam! :( He definitely needs to eat, so here's what I'd do. First, buy a syringe tip which looks like a long piece of metal with a rounded ball on the tip. For a picture, go to http://lambriarvet.com/catalog/bird.htm. I think you'll see what I'm talking about! They're sort of expensive so who knows if a vet would lend you one. Anyway, you mix hand feeding formula and put it into the syringe (oh- make sure it's sterilized first), then attatch the silver end to it. Sam will have to be toweled up, otherwise it's impossible. I don't know if you've toweled him before, (probably you have) but put the towel over his back and grab it around his neck with your hand firmly and wrap the ends around him and hold them in place against your body. (that's at least what works best for me) It's easier with two people sometimes, but I've toweled a blue-fronted and force-fed him by myself so it's possible! After he's toweled up tightly and cannot move at all, go in at the right side of his mouth with the syringe then push it to the left side, and down into his trachea. You can push it down pretty far, you might be suprised. If you have it in the right place it shoudl slide down easily and into his crop. Next part- plunge the food down! It doesn't really matter how fast, though I usually go slower than necessary to be on the safe side. The hardest part actually is having to be stronger than their tongues! Sam most likely will push at the syringe with his tongue like crazy making it really hard to get it down his trach, but eventually you'll get it! I hope this helps and that you can get Sam eating so that he won't get much worse! Good luck, and don't give up yet! :)

[Redstorm1721]

Oh my God hun, Just bring him to a vet. At this point any vet! How old is he? They will look at him no matter what vet,they still know what they are doing no matter what! Please for Sams sake bring him to any vet!

[jackie]

well, it's been about 4 days now...my dad found this new avian vet in our area that we are going to go to. Sam made remarkable improvement yesterday morning...his pupils dialated, he said a few words and he found a piece of paper and chewed it up(when he first got hurt, we stuck an index card in his mouth to see if he would bite it(cause it's one of his favorite things to do...lol)and he wouldn't). He also ate 4 baby carrots and 2 peanuts. i think he's decided he really doesn't want that syringe down his throat again...lol. anyways, i went off to school thinking that when i got home, we would be leaving for the vet....that didn't happen. my mom called my dad and left a message saying it wasn't neccessary anymore....when my dad heard that, he thought sam had died and came rushing home from work....well, he didn't die so my dad's suppost to make an appointment for after school today. o yeah....he can also stand on his perch now. he's constantly having to reagust, but he's not falling off.
thanks everyone for your help and support.

[birdygirl]

It sound like he is doing better and better. Keep an eye on him. Keep watching him and remain postive. There are things ina realationship that test our strenghth and love. And you are passing with flying colors. Keep up the good work.

[birdgirl]

oh I'm sooooooooo happy hes doing better!!!!!!!!

[jackie]

well, we couldn't make it to the vet this afternoon:( my dad made another appointment for tomarrow morning, and now they're telling me that they are both busy and can't drive me:( well....my dad canceled that appointment and made one for this comming monday. he's doing better this evening than he was earlier...now he remembers that he's afraid of sticks lol....i'll be updating asap.

[birdygirl]

Do you think that maybe he just had a chemical imbalance? Some people get that occasionally. it makes them forget things but it comes back to them slowly but I think your amazon will be fine. Still at at all cost take him to a vet to be looked at.

[Jenny]

YEAH!!!! I'm so happy for Sam! That's terrific that he's recovering!!! :D

[jackie]

yeah...i've also read that people who have anurysms can also, very rarely, gain back memmory and almost everything else that they lost. sam made a huge recovery overnight. i wasn't able to sleep because he was moving around all night, but it was worth it. he can walk on flat surfaces now!:) new problem though.....
he's not eating again:( i'm not sure if it just seems like that because i'm paranoid or what. he was eating a little bit but hsan't eatin anything this morning. if he doesn't touch anything before noon, i think i'm gonna feed him. O' yeah...incase i didn't already tell you, he starting to remember jake....he seems to be kinda scared of him, but his pupils dialate and he gets excited

[birdygirl]

It is a good thing to keep an eye on your amazon. Keep an eye on him and don't forget he needs to see a vet.

[JSimko]

My best advise is to immediately take him to the vet, that is what I do with my birds at the first hint of trouble. It sounds to me like he might be low on calcium, however I am not a vet and am not sure.

[birdygirl]

How is your Amazon?

[Redstorm1721]

Have you heard anything as of yet? I am thinking of you! Gail

[birdygirl]

I've been praying for you and your Amazon.

[jackie]

thank you all for your kind words and support. It's been almost 3 weeks now. he went to the vet 2 weeks ago. we were given several medications and he adviced me to continue force feeding baby food and to hug and cuddle sam. he says that he's never seen somethng like this before but the closest thing he can relate it to would be that a mold has covered thew left side of his brain. He shows incredible improvement one minute and the next, he'll be rolling on the floor. he did start eating on his own but stopped again just yesterday. he's doing better than he was 3 weeks ago, but i think he as at the peak of his improvment. i think that he will live for quite a few more years, but he will always have to be monitored and on medication for at least the next 6 months. sorry that i have not written much in the past couple of weeks. with school ending, exams, and sam who needs more time than i can seem to give him, i have not had spare time to spend here. i have read a few threads everyday, but also have missed a lot too. hopefully, next weekend (this is going to be my last day of school) i can get all caught up. luv you all!
jackie

[Mrs.Birdy]

Keep up the great work with your baby. Your are an angel and Sam is so lucky to have a wonderful mother like you.

You are in our prayers.

:)

[Jenny]

Nice to hear back about the progress he's making! Sam's so lucky to have you to care for him! I'll keep praying for him to get better- I know he will! Well, that's great you're done with school! Tell Sam and Jake and _______ (oops- I forgot your budgie's name!) "HI" from all of us!

[Redstorm1721]

Oh, I have been thinking about you and Sam. I hope all will be alright. You are a very good mommy. Sam will get better. I am praying too. xxx and ooo to sam you and all! Love, Gail

[jackie]

Originally posted by Jenny
Nice to hear back about the progress he's making! Sam's so lucky to have you to care for him! I'll keep praying for him to get better- I know he will! Well, that's great you're done with school! Tell Sam and Jake and _______ (oops- I forgot your budgie's name!) "HI" from all of us!

name:berrie;)

[Jenny]

Oh! I was thinking it was somethign like that, but wasn't 100% sure... :)

[birdygirl]

Glad he's doing better. Keeping Sam in my prayers.

[birdgirl]

I'm so happy he is doing better give him big hugs from Hamlit and me