Egg Binding - Sam

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
Thought I would give you an update on Sam. She was put on Clindacur(not quite sure of spelling) it made  her vomit, I tried for 2 days but she couldn't keep anything down, then I brought her back to the Vet because even after I stopped giving her that medicine she kept vomiting. Vet gave her a shot to stop reguritating and a shot of Lupron (to hopefully curve her breeding mode that she seems to be in)b/c her Calcium was still high. Her white cell count is 24,000 which I know is very high. So, the vet put her back on Baytril for 2 weeks gave it to her yesterday seemed okay. But this morning she had about a quarter size of reguritated food in her cage..
I will try to give her the Baytril again tonight and pray she doesn't vomit again.
I know the vet told me I will probably have to give her shots if she can't keep the antibiotics down.
I took every toy out of her cage  all paper that was under the grates and switched her perch around to mix things up a bit. The more I read about Lupron the more frightnend I get. Wondering if I did the right thing? She was very lethargic and sleepy for 2 days after that shot, she could hardly stand on my shoulder without leaning back..I told the vet and she thought maybe if she ever has to give it to her again she would give her a lesser dose. Do you have any thought's on this Lupron?

Thanks,
Rose

ANSWER:  It sounds like your vet is knowledgable and progressive. Usually starting D.Lupron at the lowest dose is adviseable, so by all means make sure it's reduced.
 Here's a very good info link about that

http://www.birdtoyoutlet.com/bird-safety/article-chronic-egg-laying.htm

 Just in case you have to give the injections of antibiotics yourself, it's a very small needle and not nearly as difficult as you might think. I'm with you though and hope it's not necessary.

 The question I have is whether or not you're seeing vomit or regurgitation.  Vomit is often clear, cloudy like a thick syrup and is often ON the bird as well as all over the cage.
 Regurgitation is a 'plop' of partially digested food. Usually placed in one spot, very 'on purpose'.

Let me know which you're dealing with ok?



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Actually, she had both on this past Monday (11/26) morning I would say vomit, it was cloudy and very liquid , all over her cage and her. Last week Wednesday & Thursday a.m.(11/21 & 11/22with medicine)even Friday a.m (without medicine) she had partially digested food, but there was so much of it, I actually brought it to the Vet's office in case she wanted to see it. I was starting to think that maybe it had nothing to do with the Clinacur, but the Vet said sometimes these guys will still have it in their Crop and can't stop it. That is why she flushed it out and gave her a shot to stop regurgitation. I just hope Sam will be okay. She has the cutest personality and is very loving.. She really hasn't talked very much since this whole thing started with the egg. But, she is coming around, yesterday she started dancing when I had the radio on.. I really love her and I'm hoping she will stop laying eggs.. I am going to try everything you and the Vet have asked me to do.. I am making sure she gets more sleep without any noise from TV's or radio.I have her in complete darkness, 2 black sheets, 1 huge comforter over the cage and 1 comforter around the cage. I'm trying everthing I can to make sure she has the right vitamins. She eats 1/4 cup of pellets, 1 1/2 tablespoon of seed and 1 wedge of a tangerine or orange with a few slivers of apple or 1 grape. Sweet potato, peas not both b/c she won't eat that much, sometimes cooked carrots if she's in the mood.I've tried and will keep trying green beans, parsley,broccoli and squash. Maybe I will even try a brussel sprout if she'll eat it. If there is anyway you can think of to make the veggie's more appealing to her I would welcome it.

She will be going back to the Vet in a couple of weeks to see if the white cell count has come down any.
Is there anyting you think I should ask the Vet to do or test Sam should have as long as I am going?

Thanks,
Rose

Answer
Rose, I must say that you are one of the best owners I've met in some time. It's so nice to find someone going the extra mile like this.  
  Make sure there's a portion of the cage that's open so she can look out and to help insure air circulation. It will help her feel more secure knowing she can see potential threats (instinct).

 I've found that many birds will eat the good stuff in the form of baby food.  Squash, sweet potatoes, mixed veggies, carrots - about 1/2 teaspoon added to a spoon of brown rice, whole wheat couscous, pasta, even a good sugar free or very low sugar whole grain cereal like oatmeal, Grape Nuts, some Cheerios, etc..  
  1/2 teaspoon of natural yogurt every other day may also help with calcium. We try to keep the sugar low on this too, but avoid any sugar substitutes.

 Be creative with consistency too. Some birds only eat raw carrots, others insist on cooked. Same with broccoli and just about everything else.
 
Finally, if she sees YOU eat something, she's much more likely to want to try it herself. By eating what my birds eat, I've never felt better !

 Keep it up Rose - you're doing a fantastic job