Hi Ladybug,

Welcome to the forum! Really sad to hear about Joey, I've read up a bit on it to try and understand a bit more. This must be really hard for you, best wishes and hopes. We'll look forward to photos when hes betterx

I`m sure Michelle will be on here later but I spoke to her earlier and Joey (touch wood and don`t say it too loudly) has improved a lot and gained a little weight too.

She was taking him back to the vets for a second opinion from her usual vet who had been away through Joeys illness so i don`t want to say too much, will let her post herself.

I think you`ll all agree though that Michelles care with the syringe feeding and critical care forumla has undoubtedly saved his life this weekend and I think she should be so proud of her nursing skills.

Way to go Michelle and lots of love to Joey and Spike who are both stunning birds!

Scarlett

Hello all,

Thank you so much for your replies. I really appreciate the comments and advice.

Well Little Joey has totally amazed me. He was so ill when I last posted that I really didnt think he would still be here now.

But amazingly he is and seems a lot brighter. He is such a fighter. I dont think it could get any worse than it was on Saturday night and everyday he has improved just a teeny bit more. I have been syringe feeding him baby food and critical care, alternately every hour or so. He has made no attempt at all himself since early Friday morning. I didnt weigh him yesterday as after the night we had I just couldnt. But this morning when I opened the travel cage, he climbed out and wobbled about onto the top. He wanted to stay there, so I left him for a minute while I put the dishes in the kitchen and within a few seconds he flew accross my front room into the kitchen and was on my shoulder. I couldnt believe it. He hasnt done that for nearly a week! So I thought while he was here I would weigh him. Saturday he had gone down to 381g. which was such a weight loss as he normally weighs in at around 450g. Today he was 391g. Its only 10g but its in the right direction. I was so pleased. He still looks painfully thin, has black rings around his sunken eyes and looks like a very poorly little baby bird. But he is improving. All I can do is take it day by day and see how it goes. But today is good. Its like I have my little baby back. But for how long I dont know...

This morning I phoned the vets and luckily they managed to fit me in to see Mark Evans the Avian Specialist in Cardiff. I was so pleased. Joey even started making the baby squeaks and whistles on the way there. My daughter who has been an absolute little star through all of this sat right next to him with her head under the blanket that was covering his cage talking to him all the way there. I hadn't heard his little voice for nearly a week. I was so pleased I went. I was glad he was still there to take.

Sadly though we went through the xrays again and even though there are numerous reasons why there could be an enlarged stomach, he is more or less positive that it is PDD. Even though it was sad news I felt a lot more positive speaking to this vet. He didnt mess around and go on and on about crop biopsies and hospitalisation etc etc, he was fabulous with Joey, just wanted what was best for him and that was home with me where he would be less stressed. He said that in his experience birds with PDD either get brighter and improve within a week or so when started on antibiotics and PDD medication and can lead happy lives for as long as that may be, or get worse straight away and pass away very soon. I am hoping that Joey will be one of the ones who improves with the medication and has a happy life for however long that maybe. Years hopefully Its devastating there is no cure. I would definately only see Mark Evans now in the future. Last week though Joey was ill, he had to see an avian vet and I kind of didnt have choice as to who I saw. He said he will be on the antibiotics for the next week, and the other two long term. He has been prescribed Celebrex forever for the PDD. Also from now on I only have to phone to order more and they will post it, as he said that Joey doesnt need the stress of being brought in to the surgery all the time. The vet last week said to me, 'You do realise that under the law, animals on longterm treatment have to be brought to see a vet every three months.'

This evening when we came home, he started making his noises again well loud whistly baby noises. (I think he was just extra pleased that I didnt leave him at the vets this time! lol) He was climbing round and round in circles in the travel cage as if to say come on then get me out! I made him up some baby porridge with a scoop of critical care in its and straight away he gobbled it up from a spoon! I could have cried!! I have been more or less forcing him with the syringe since Friday! He then even tried a few peices of warm sweetcorn and chopped up red grapes. Completely unbelieveable!!!

I am going to keep him in the travel cage for a while as its a little safer for him. He has managed to graze his breast bone climbing around now he is moving, as he is so painfully thin it is really sticking out. The vet said it didnt need treatment but to be extra careful he doesnt have any crash landings or falls as it will split cause he is so thin. So no taking my eyes off him for a second! He wants to come out and sit on his cage but is so wobbly I cant leave him. I was going to put him back in his montana cage, lowering the perches, but then thought that if he did climb to the top it would be a long way to drop if he fell. So travel cage in the warm it is.

He has just spent the last hour or so on my shoulder and having cuddles watching all the soaps! Making such a loud noises on my shoulder that my right ear has popped! lol Its just such an unbelievable difference from a little limp, lifeless bird that I was cuddling in the early hours of sunday morning. I know he has a long way to go and the long term prognosis is not good, but at the minute every little improvement is amazing. I am taking Sat night as the worst, so today is the second day of improvements, we have a long way to go. Fingers crossed we will get there.

I will figure out the pics soon and post some!!

Thanks all for your kind messages of support.
Speak Soon
Michelle
xx

That's fabulous news i'm so pleased, i've been thinking about him all weekend, poor little mite, give him a big kiss from me

Some bubble-wrap under a towel will help cushion any fall. Keep it up - you're clearly doing it right!
Doddie

Thanks for all your lovely words! It is very much appreciated!

The vets visit yesterday definately put me in a more positive mood, even though the news was still sad. We had a good night, he eyes look a bit worse than yesterday a little more sunken and dark, and he seems a little more sad than he did yesterday evening, but maybe its just a little stress from the vets visit, which has knocked him back down a bit. He didnt want to eat from a spoon this morning, but has taken two feeds via syringe quite enthusiastically.

I am lucky to have such a beautiful little baby and he definately a little fighter. So I will continue to do all I can, take it day by day and hope he keeps improving and gaining a little weight.

Michelle

xx

My little Joey, yesterday

Very thin and poorly looking, but so much better than the previous few days. He is a little messy from the handfeeding and oral medication!!

Sadly with PDD that's all you can do is deal with it day by day.  but he does sound like a fighter so fingers crossed.

Pic didnt come out hun, you need a photobucket account to put photo's on the forum.  If you dont have an account, feel free to send me the pic (Mandyd1975@hotmail.com) and I will put it up for you xx

Thanks Mandy,
I do have a photobucket account, maybe I pasted the wrong part lol. Will try and edit it!

Bless you, just caught up with this thread. 

Way to go Michelle, you're being brilliant, so brave and positive, when deep inside I bet you're heartbroken.  You're baby is gorgeous and obviously knows you love him, you're fighting for each other.

Love and hugs to you and your family.

Sue

 x

Well done and I have everything crossed for you that his progress continues.

He may be poorly but he is still GORGEOUS!

Aw, he's gorgeous Michelle, needs a big kiss and a cuddle though, I can see that

He is gorgeous x

Thanks so much everyone. I know he looks very ill and sad, it all happened so quickly. But he is such a gorgeous, sweet little baby. But maybe I am biased!

Yes, I am absolutely heartbroken, I had always wanted a baby congo since I was a child and having Joey was a dream come true. He is spoiled rotten too and has more toys, treats and gadgets than my children I think! I cant bear the thought of losing him. But I am trying not to think about that and be positive as to how I can help him. I just want to do everything I can and know I have done all there is to help him through this. Today has been a good day!! So thats good. Hope tomorrow is better again! Fingers crossed!

I would really like to thank everyone though, its been an awful week and I have recieved so many lovely replies, messages and tonnes of advice, which I really appreciate! I have no experience whatsoever with sick birds/handfeeding etc, so it has all been unbelievably encouraging and helpful. I am really glad I said hello!! You've all been amazing!

Michelle, Joey and Spike xxx

hi michelle,

 only just saw your thread

if you keep fightin, i'm sure he will too.

like you i love greys..congo and timmeh's...... your joey looks so sweet, bless him

give him a big gentle hug from me x x x

 Sometimes things happen for a reason hun, and for however long it is, I think Joey was destined to be with you.  Just think if he hadn't, and gone to someone who was less able than you are and Joey could have lost his fight now.  The fact he has come this far is all down to you, and you should be very proud of yourself.

Hoping Joey is feeling a little better today xxx