Coincidence? Update on Rio: He’s singing, dancing, and talking!!! The NEXT DAY.
I called the vet hospital today to report to them and thank Dr. Jesse. His real name is Dr. Jesus Batista.
HUUUUUUHHHH!?? You have to understand this: We have been searching for Jesus in these last few months wondering, Do you hear us???
Yesterday on the way to the hospital, I cried out to him in utter despair. Our whole family has been attacked this way and that. Don’t take Ribi too!
Enter Dr. Jesus. He miraculously felt the “clicking” in Rio as a sign that he had a respiratory infection. This meant Rio could immediately receive antibiotics.
Jesus did save Rio. However you want to look it at, I see it as a miracle.
Wait…WHAT!!??? Rio doesn’t cuddle. Rio bites and doesn’t like that. Oh, and he was super puffed up.
And he didn’t stop sleeping. He stayed at the bottom of the cage. Lifeless.
Tatum is freaking out and I’m calling all over to find an emergency bird vet. Doug gets involved and we find an emergency hospital that will take him.
Let’s GOOOOOOO! Only 25 miles away.
Tatum and I are praying the whole way as she tries to get him to move and not sleep too much.
They instantly put him in an oxygen incubator.
Not much helps at this point. The staff says maybe an X-ray, but with a $600 price tag and the fact that he doesn’t seem to have any broken parts, it wasn’t worth it.
They suggested some fluids and Vitamin B…OK…anything! Tatum is frustrated and SCARED.
SO here we go….
After this, the tech held him and heard a “click.” He thought..maybe a respiratory infection. ANTIBIOTICS!! PLEASE!
Erythromycin to the rescue.
Here is what they wrote on the report:
Amarillo was evaluated today for being fluffed and not eating of two days duration. On examination we suspect Amarillo has a respiratory infection. We discussed performing bloodwork and radiographs, but you have elected to treat supportively at this time.
Amarillo was also given fluids under his skin to help hydrate him.
MEDICATIONS
1. Azithromycin Oral Susp 200mg/5ml, per 15ml Bottle Give 0.02 ml by mouth every other day (every 48 hours). Continue for a total of 5 doses. (1 bottle) Next dose due: give this morning, start today
MONITORING
General signs of complications. If Amarillo shows any of these signs please contact your primary care veterinarian or Veterinary Emergency Group if after hours:
1. Labored breathing – continual 2. Pain. Amarillo has trouble getting comfortable, cries, or is painful to the touch. 3. Diarrhea, especially if persistent, bloody, or painful. 4. Excessive sleepiness (Amarillo can not be roused). 5. Seizures, loss of consciousness, or episodes of bizarre behavior. 6. Amarillo continues to not eat or drink for more than 24 hours.
Owner: Stephanie Hay | Patient: Amarillo | Species: Avian | Breed: Parakeet | Page: 1 of 2
7. Amarillo is unable to perch or is found on the bottom of the cage for extended periods of time.
FOLLOW-UP
If Amarillo’s signs continue, or worsen, please schedule a recheck appointment with an avian exotic veteri- narian for further diagnostics and treatments if needed.
WOW…now this is him:
He actually smiled. We thought…we thought we lost him.
Coopy did too.
The HAY family has been through HE_L and back the past year. Today was a bit of a gift to get our minds off the “usual” stresses and to focus on the little things that bring us joy. I couldn’t be more grateful.
Thank you, Jesus for the vet, the meds, and for being with us through this whole thing.
