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Post by Adele on Nov 6, 2020 16:47:03 GMT -7
Manzi isn't really shaking so much, so that is good. He is on a new medication now, a long term anti-inflammatory. Hopefully after a couple weeks on that we start to see some more improvement. I really would like to see him get his strength back. He definitely is noisy again, and him and Maui always do whistling/talking fests each morning. I love that. But he is still not very active.
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Post by Jane on Nov 8, 2020 6:26:26 GMT -7
It sounds like Manzi is improving and hopefully the new medication will help even more. It is good to hear he is whistling and talking with Maui as well. I always think vocalisation is a good sign.
Jane
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Post by Adele on Nov 18, 2020 10:55:24 GMT -7
My next appointment is Nov 30th for Manzi. He's letting me scratch his head regularly now, so I imagine it isn't hurting him anymore. He's not really doing better coordination-wise, but he does seem to be more active. He's often scrambling around, chewing on cardboard and stuff. He still often tips over completely onto his back, then kicks/flutters till he rights himself. It only takes a fraction of a second.
My sister visited and was impressed with how active Manzi is getting. She also said it looks like his head got turned backward and he doesn't know how to fix it. He still holds his head very strangely at times. He can straighten it out, but he often leaves it very crooked. At first, he didn't seem to be able to straighten his head and he would only hold it off to one side. Now he can straighten it, and equally holds it to both sides.
I was reading about human proprioception loss, and his symptoms seem to be very similar. Like he doesn't know where his limbs and body are going till he stumbles upon the right thing. Fortunately, Manzi's getting less and less scared/jumpy. Now I can go up to him at any time and he just turns toward me. He doesn't startle nearly as much as he was a few weeks ago.
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Post by Haz on Nov 18, 2020 11:58:46 GMT -7
Just having his head turned backwards wouldn't affect him since that is their favoured sleeping position with the head tucked into the back. It has to be his injury that is affecting his balance. Still, it sounds like he is getting better.
Haz
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Post by Jane on Nov 20, 2020 6:43:36 GMT -7
That's good, Manzi is obviously feeling a lot more comfortable. I think at the start he must have been concussed and confused and that is why he was scared. Also back then, if he was hurting he would have been guarding himself and not wanting you to touch him.
Jane
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Post by Adele on Nov 25, 2020 17:47:07 GMT -7
Here's a video of Manzi getting some snuggles. He's reverted back to a very loving boy again. After a few minutes of scratching him, he tucked his head behind his wing and started to fall asleep.
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Post by Jane on Nov 26, 2020 5:44:53 GMT -7
So sweet.
Jane
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Post by Adele on Nov 30, 2020 17:52:19 GMT -7
Today I had another vet appointment. This guy was way more experienced than the vet at the ER (she was only 3 years out of vet school with no avian experience). This new vet has been a board certified avian vet for 30 years. Unfortunately, he books two weeks out and wasn't able to see Manzi at first.
Either way, his prognosis isn't great. He told me to stop the medication as it won't make much difference by now. He thinks Manzi doesn't have much hope for a full recovery. He thinks Manzi isn't in pain right now, and said his eye movements looked good. Because then I asked the hard question about potentially quality of life and if I'm having Manzi suffer by keeping him alive with me. He comforted me by letting me know that Manzi seems okay, and since he is still kinda preening, that is a good sign that mentally, he is probably okay. He just has brain damage effecting his coordination, and that may never improve much, if at all.
So, I'm going to just keeping it day by day. If after another 6 months, Manzi doesn't improve at all, then I might reconsider things. I don't mind taking care of him at all. It isn't like he's difficult right now. He's always going to be my baby. In fact, he's easier now than when he was flying around the house causing trouble!!
Still, seeing him like this breaks my heart, especially since it was my mistake that led to his condition.
I asked the vet about the initial stages and if other medicine might have produced a better outcome, but he said it is so up in the air. Sometimes more anti-inflammatories help with traumatic brain injuries in the early stages, but sometimes they even make it worse because they can cause more internal bleeding. We just don't know enough to always make the very best decisions. He did make me feel a bit better saying that it is a huge tribute to my dedication that I've been able to keep Manzi alive in his current condition.
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Post by Adele on Nov 30, 2020 17:55:45 GMT -7
Manzi freaked out when I tried giving him a bath in the sink. So now I've been doing spot cleaning with a damp rag to keep him clean. He totally relaxes when I do that and doesn't mind at all.
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Post by beakertrout on Nov 30, 2020 19:07:49 GMT -7
Adele, you have my sympathy.
When my Amazon (Jeff) went downhill it was a real heartbreaking event for me.
He lasted longer than my marriage and was my buddy.
It got to where he was having problems standing without leaning against something.
I swore, "No more parrots" after he passed and I was good for about 6-8 months.
Once I decided to get an AG, I decided that I would not do everything I did wrong when I got Jeff.
1. No "impulse" buying.
2. Read everything I can get on the species.
3. Spend as much time as I could with him to form a bond (I was retired so that was no problem).
4. Only good parrot food.
5. Obtain from a breeder with a good reputation.
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Post by Jane on Dec 1, 2020 2:02:33 GMT -7
I know it isn't the same but Monty has always had problems with his feet and coordination. He can't hold food in his feet, he falls off his perch a lot, he can't fly, he has always had problems with his beak and I have never been sure about his eyesight. He is a happy and gentle Grey.
It could be that Manzi will adapt to his circumstances, he has improved by a long way after all.
Jane
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Post by Adele on Dec 1, 2020 13:33:59 GMT -7
Thanks Jane. Yeah, I hadn't thought much about that. Monty does sound like a happy guy, with all his antics! Thanks for sharing that.
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Post by Thomas on Dec 1, 2020 18:56:17 GMT -7
I'm so glad he's improved as much he has. Over time, he may recover a bit more, you just don't know. I have had birds in the past with ongoing health issues, mostly deformed feet or legs. Sheeba has had a cracked pelvis, she hasn't limped for over a year or so, but she has fallen off the cage onto the floor, her leg seemed to become dislocated, but she recovered in a short amount of time. I mostly worry she'll hit her head as she falls.
They are our best friends, they all keep us going!
Thomas
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Post by Haz on Dec 2, 2020 8:12:07 GMT -7
As long as he is not suffering, just love him as he is.
Haz
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Post by Adele on Dec 2, 2020 10:13:52 GMT -7
Manzi has been more and more cuddly, leaning into scratches and nibbling on my fingers when I stop scratching him. I've been carrying him to my lap and sitting with him, scratching him, while I watch some TV. He is still preening, but not doing as good a job as normal. So I've been opening up his new feathers for him. He is now totally relaxed with me and just seems to enjoy it.
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