Recent Feedback
I have a 13 year old blue and gold macaw. She has been perfectly healthy until two days ago and she began having watery droppings. There is normal fecal matter visible but an abundant amount of water too. She is on a pellet diet for over four years with a half boiled egg each morning. She shares our dinner in the evening consisting of a vegetable possibly a bread product or a pasta and sometimes a small portion of meat or cheese...loves pizza on rare occasion! The only thing that I can think of doing differently is I gave her some baked salmon the night before she began the watery droppings. I currently have her on Orancyn-Plus and she seems fine in appetite and personality. However, she is exhibiting more thirst then normal in the last two days. I'm concerned about diabetes...is it too early to worry about this? How common is this in pet birds?
Optional Information: Pet's Gender: Female Pet's Age: >12 Type of Animal: Blue and gold macaw Name of Bird: Sunny Already Tried: Ornacyn-Plus for the last two days
Hello,
My name is XX. XX and I would be happy to help you with your question about Sunny.
Please let me start by saying I'm sorry you're having this problem with her. I know what it's like to worry.
It also sounds like you've been taking great care of her, feeding her well, etc., so I know how alarming it is to see her get sick this way.
thank you
The first point I must make is that the symptom of polyuria, or an increase in the watery portion of the dropping, can be caused by a few different things.
Yes, diabetes is one of those things, but not necessarily the most common or likely in a bird like Sunny.
good
It's premature to worry specifically about diabetes, but not too soon to worry.
okau
Birds are very good at hiding signs of illness, so ANY symptom must be taken seriously.
The best veterinary advice I can give you is to NOT give the Orancyn-Plus, but to seek veterinary care for Sunny.
okay I will stop
The Orancyn-Plus is an antibiotic of limited usefulness and may make the problem worse.
In order to know exactly which of the different possible problems could be causing this change for Sunny, you'll need some diagnostic testing done.
A urinalysis can be performed (just like on people or dogs or cats), and some simple blood tests will rule in or out things like diabetes, liver disease, and kidney disease.
should I take a fecal sample in?
Yes. Collect a dropping in a ziploc baggie to take in with you. Also, use waxed paper on the bottom of the cage you use to take her to the vet. That way they'll be able to use a fresh sample if she provides it.
she seems to not be producing very much poop this morning?
is that something else to be worried about?
Less poop means her appetite is decreased. She has eaten less. Yes, it's another symptom to be worried about. Is she fluffed and less active?
well, she usually ruffles up and naps this time of day ...
she has just finished a molt and is good about grooming herself
Good. That makes me think it's less critical. A fluffed, lethargic bird is an absolute emergency.
she is very loving and ready to play
Hopefully it's just something simple like a digestive upset caused by bacterial overgrowth. That can happen from time to time, even in a bird as well-cared for as Sunny.
okay I will take her in
Good. Don't wait for her to get sicker before you take her in.
she has had yeast infections before I had her...is this similar behavior?
Remember, you can always post more to this thread, even after you've clicked ACCEPT, if you have more questions after you go to the vet. I'm happy to help.
Not specifically yeast, although it could be.
okay thanks so much...
Yeast usually causes regurgitation issues more than watery droppings.
Thanks again!
Experience: I have been a veterinarian since 1994 and am experienced with avian medicine and hand-feeding.