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[latrine]

My parrot, Tyler, has been living with my brother and his family for the past year, they took him in when I was stuck in the hospital for 7 months and he has been living there very happily since then.  I got him when I was about 15, from very bad owners who mistreated him and had him on a horrible diet.  He is about 34 years old right now and I'm 31 so he's even older than me.

I got a call this morning, Tyler has a cloacal prolapse which basically means his intestine is coming out through his vent (butt).. which also means he might be a she, as it usually happens to females. Tyler is also fluffed up and lethargic and he is usually a very noisy talkative bird with an opinion about everything.  When birds start to show signs like this that usually means the problem has been going on for awhile as they are prey animals and will hide their illness as long as possible, or, with something like this I guess it could just happen and be very painful and feeling that poorly would, well.. make him feel and look like crap.. my poor little guy.
The problem usually requires surgery to correct and almost always keeps coming back.  they do have a major surgery they can do to correct it but it doesn't always work, is very invasive and the birds don't always live through it, I won't put him through that. So we are very worried that we may have to put him to sleep.

I located an appropriate vet, they will take my credit card info over the phone in case they can't come and get me before they go (we are hoping they can go as soon as possible) but if it's made for later on then they might get me and I can go and make a hospital cage for him and keep his injured area moist and help him feel better until it's time to go, then I can either go with my sister in law or stay with the kids if no one else is around to watch them.  

I'll talk to you guys later, Please send out some good thoughts for Tyler, he's a really good boy.

- Sarah

[Talon]

My fingers are crossed for you, Latrine. I hope they can do something for him.
Talon

[latrine]

Thanks..

I'm just sitting here waiting for a phone call to see whether or not I'm going over there... I got everything set up over the phone.  The avian vet isn't in but he will be tomorrow and they can stabilize him and they said if it is what I think it is the vet can do surgery tomorrow.. I'm not sure if that will be what happens as I don't know if I want to put him through that.. it supposedly keeps coming back and they keep needing surgery. I know what that's like. I dunno what to do, really..  

Well they are waiting for a call back for when to take him to the vet and then they are just going to take him, so I won't be going down today anyway. I'm glad, since that means less driving for them in this stormy weather and Tyler will be able to get to the vet sooner that way, but I was also hoping to get down there to see him, just in case. Well, she will call me and let me know what happens. . 

- Sarah

[RedwoodsMama]

Hi Latrine, I am so sorry to hear about Tyler, how old do Grey Parrots live anyway? He does sound like a wonderful little guy.  I am so sorry to hear about his/her not feeling well. I don't have any experiences with Birds, and not parrots of any kind, but I have had rabbits before that suffered from the same type of injury or condition. I had a rabbit, my daughter's rabbit who was a Satin Rabbit named Cinderella I think, anyway it is  a long story, but while we were in Montana, she and other animals were in someone's care while we were out of state. This rabbit had had several litters of babies, ( baby rabbits are called Kittens just like Cats,  ) and I got a letter saying that she had a prolaspe of the uterus, just hanging out which meant infection most likely, She was rushed to the vet and they fixed her by pushing it gently back in. Rabbits are very delicatel little creatures and go into shock quite easily. She recovered but died a few weeks later, simply because it was meant to be I guess and the surgery was tough on her and I also think she was missing  her owners and being in a new environment and being ill was too much for the little darling.
             I do hope you have a great vet and little Tyler will be strong enough to go through this, animals are excellent at hiding their illnesses, like you said, it is how they hide from predators in the wild. how they survive. I will be thinking postitve thoughts for Tyler, I hope he will go through it with soaring and flying colors. Take care and hang in there Latrine.
                                                                         RedwoodsMama

[latrine]

They can live 60-80 or more years but they don't always.  He received very poor care before he came to me, very bad diet and he has bad legs/feet because of old injuries that were not treated and very bad mental/emotional treatment. (they are VERY intelligent animals)  He is the same type of bird as the one you might have seen on TV, "Alex" the African Grey that knew colors and numbers and learned the meaning of zero by himself and was learning to read before he died.

Tyler knows some of his shapes and colors too He is 34 and I'd had him for about 16 years.. he's had the best care and food for all of that time.. well and the year with my brother during which the good care and food was the same but he probably had more fun because of all the kids singing and reading to him.  He really is a cool bird, curses up a storm but that's my fault.. they tend to pick up words they hear used with the most emotion and he was in my room while I was playing video games.. lol. He can make all the different sounds of machine guns and other guns and grenades and things from the Halo games for xbox and the sounds of the character getting killed.  If he got mad at us he would simply make gun noises at us to let us know.. that or call us a bad name.  His potty mouth has calmed down since living with my brother, the kids scold him and tell him to say something nice when he curses..

I'm sorry about your rabbit, they make excellent companion animals..

- Sarah

[Crewella]

Really sorry to hear about Tyler, it's horrible being faced with that kind of decision.  I've had a bad week with the cats as I had to make that decision with Pushkin, my 17 year old cat, nearly a fortnight ago.  She had a huge abcess in her mouth but also ongoing kidney problems that meant they couldn't operate straightaway.  As they thought there might be more to the lump, and because she's never spent a night away from home and would hate all the fuss that would have been necessary to try and fix her, and because of her age, we made the decision to have her put to sleep.  She had an injection while I held her and stroked her ears, and it was heartbreaking but very peaceful, and we brought her home and buried her under a rock rose.

I think that if one of the factors had been brighter - if she'd been younger, or if they could have operated straightaway, I would have tried the treatment, but as it was I'm still sure I made the right decision for her.  Only you can know what's right for Tyler - you've obviously done him proud so far.  I'm sure you'll make the right decision.

Sorry - I don't mean to take over your thread with my own story - I just thought it might help to hear? 

[kat]

Hey Sarah - So sorry to hear that Tyler is so sick.  I'm thinking of you and sending you hugs.

[bhobbes]

Hope things turn out well for him. It's never easy to lose or face losing a beloved pet (which is pretty much a family member). I felt a little dampened when Alex suddenly passed and I never even knew him.

[Talon]

You know, I did too. I saw this extensive documentary on him some years ago and thought it the most amazing thing I've ever seen. His manager or whatever she was- Irine Pepperbird if I remember correctly- asked him how many keys she was showing him. He answered correctly that she was showing him five. Then, she asked him what color they were. He said they were all yellow. When the excersize was all over- and this was the best part for me- he asked her, "Want a nut?" It made me giggle. I've never owned a bird of any kind. I'm afraid I'd end up with this obnoctious screaming deamon who flings poop and seeds and bites off fingers or something.
Talon

[InmemoryofRomeo]

Aww Sarah, my thoughts go out to Tyler, I hope he/she comes through the surgery well.

[bhobbes]

You know, I did too. I saw this extensive documentary on him some years ago and thought it the most amazing thing I've ever seen. His manager or whatever she was- Irine Pepperbird if I remember correctly- asked him how many keys she was showing him. He answered correctly that she was showing him five. Then, she asked him what color they were. He said they were all yellow. When the excersize was all over- and this was the best part for me- he asked her, "Want a nut?" It made me giggle. I've never owned a bird of any kind. I'm afraid I'd end up with this obnoctious screaming deamon who flings poop and seeds and bites off fingers or something.
Talon

I'm not 100% sure, but I'm pretty sure Alex was one of the reasons why they started to believe that parrots (african greys at least) do more than just mimic and actually associate the word with the object etc. And can even express preference (I wish I had a citation for you but I know I read in a book about african greys that they was some experience with an african grey being able to choose between a banana and an orange and when handed the opposite would refuse etc.).

One day I hope to be able to own a african grey (congo) but I don't know when I'll ever have the schedule proper for such a pet. Unfortunately, I'll never have a true 9-5 routine job, and they do not do well with sudden shifts in schedules (or potentially don't). Considering my flock could keep him company, that could possibly be less of a risk, but I don't want to chance it. (No parrot is truly "easy" or "low" maintenance but compared to the larger/more demanding parrots, cockatiels are a walk in the park)

My first encounter with a parrot (or bird of any sort really) was an african grey when I was 8 years old and ever since then I have loved parrots period! So I'm quite sympathetic to the species (and parrots and pets period). Plus, like all pet people, you really do understand the bond you create with your animal.

[saratogaspringer]

Latrine, I am so sorry that your parrot is sick.  I think reptiles can get the same thing. I seem to have read about that particular condition when I had my bearded dragons. I also remember that it required a risky surgery, like you said.  It is so hard when a pet is sick....they become part of your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Tyler.   

[Lina]

I am so sorry to hear about your parrot. 15 years is a long time to have a pet in your life.
Pls keep us updated.  I hope your parrot gets better.

[latrine]

Hey guys, I am very happy to report that while Tyler ID have a cloacal prolapse which is bad, he only required the very minor surgery of pushing it back in and needing only 2 stitches. 
My sister in law called me beforehand to make sure it was ok to do the procedure because of cost and everything, they thought at the time it would be $4-500 which was WONDERFUL as I was expecting a WAY higher bill so I said of course of course do it!!! 
And I was just so happy that they thought they could help him and that she brought him so late in the storm and my little nephew came along because he didn't want his mom to be out by herself and was worried (so cute!!) and then of course I started in on worrying again because of the sedation and luckily my bf conveniently arrived home from his trip about 10 minutes later so I was able to cry all over him and our other dog whom he had brought with him, instead of just myself and my dog. (I must have looked like an weird sort of large eyed lizard yesterday from crying like.. the entire day, lol.)
My sister in law is just wonderful, she stayed in the room with him while they knocked him out with a little birdy gas mask and she said they simply pushed it back up inside of him and stitched the area, just two stitches.  Then they took blood and x-rays.  Then they put one of those little cone collars around his neck so he wouldn't hurt himself and when he woke up he was apparently VERY angry at that cone and made it very clear to everyone within a ten mile radius..

So he also has an infection but I am not sure if that's what caused it or not..I am waiting for a tech to call me back to let me know exactly what happened. 
The x-rays looked fine  & clear, thank god,  as they wanted to make sure he wasn't egg bound (had an egg stuck inside) since he has never been sexed and we don't really know for sure that he is a he. (most parrots look identical and you cannot tell the sex without blood work or if something obvious happens like it lays an egg, I can only think of cockatoos and the eclectus parrot, for birds that you can tell the sex of without blood work)

He got to go home right away, once the sedation wore off enough and my bf and I will be bringing him in next week for the stitches to be removed. My sister in law didn't remember everything as yesterday was quite a blur for her with a sick child and all the phone calls and running to the doctor and then a very far away vet, but she told me some of the stuff the vet said it could be a calcium problem or a protein problem but I don't have the blood work until they call me.. and then I'll be able to see whats off.
So, unfortunately, when the stitches come out, it could prolapse again.. or it could prolapse a month from now, or a year from now, or never.  That's what the vet told her and what I've read.   There is a very invasive procedure where they secure it inside the bird but I would not even consider that for a minute as it's very dangerous and many birds don't make it through.  If he has to have it again we'll deal with that when it happens and we will hope it doesn't turn to anything bad.
So I am very very happy today, even though for some reason I'm still crying, lol..

Crewella, I am very very sorry about your cat, I understand exactly what you mean and have been faced with similar situations before and sometimes that's the decision you have to make.. I was really scared that's what was going to happen here and I'm so glad that, so far, he is ok

Alex always amazed me too.. Tyler does as well as he seems to understand many of the words he says, even the bad ones, lol..
Thanks everybody
Phew..     

- Sarah

[Crewella]

I'm so pleased it turned out well and Tyler's OK for now, at least.   

[aibo7m3]

I'm glad that the surgery went well and your bird seems better. It's always scary when a pet is sick.

[LuckyPleo]

It's good to know Tyler is ok at the moment (it's funny, I have a friend named Tyler). Personally, I wouldn't suggest the permanent surgery either, because a bird can be fine with this for some time, as long as you are willing to give it special care. Many people think disease or a condition with animals is a death sentence, but it is not if people would be willing to put in the time and money for the animal. We have people fighting in hospitals for months and years, animals are capable of the same. From what it sounds, your bird wouldn't do well with the permanent surgery, since you said he had a problem with wearing a cone, most of the time, animals don't make it through surgery because of the stress and anxiety, and he seems like he'd become agitated easily. It's good to know he's alright now, hope he's ok for a good while. Tell him I said good luck! 

[kat]

I'm glad they were able to help him.  I hope he recovers from his surgery fast and stops pulling his feathers out    I'd be grumpy too if I had to wear a collar to stop me getting at my stitches   They do make you look rather silly.  So I'm not surprised he is making such a fuss.  Plus if he is feeling well enough to make a fuss then it can only mean he is getting better.  

[latrine]

Yes, the fact that he's making such a fuss is a good sign and African Grays are very easily agitated/stressed birds.  
LuckyPleo, I would definitely never even consider that surgery, it sounds awful. I am very glad that he's ok so far and I am certainly willing to jump through hoops to help him get better, I just meant that sometimes it's a condition that does not go away and that major surgery becomes a last resort because they don't want to keep doing the littler ones over and over.  Plus, I know what it's like to be sick all the time and have surgerys all the time, I've had 10 in the past 5 years and may be looking at number 11 sometime in the coming months so I don't want to subject him to that... I am just hoping he will do well and not need anything else.  
Thanks so much, everyone for all the support, when I see Tyler in the next few days I'll be sure to tell him you all said hello and to get well soon

Here are a few pictures of Tyler, s you can see, he is very handsome but very usually very camera shy so I don't have any videos..

Here he is popping his head of of his favorite wooden box

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Here he is standing next to the crab tank that was right next to his cage when we lived with my parents.  He loved to hang off the side of his cage and watch the crabs, he called them his puppies. I imagine he got that from hearing us call the dogs our puppies.  He would scold them and tell them bad puppies when they fell down off their rocks or tell them they were good puppies.. he'd say goodnight to the 'puppies' when it was time to turn their light off.. I never called them puppies until after he'd been doing it for awhile, so it was all on his own.. they really are very smart
The only reason he's next to a can of soda is the forum I was on was comparing sizes of bird species and we decided to measure against a can of soda... it's the only picture I have of his entire body, the little turd!

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And this is Tyler's extreme closeup, right before he bit the camera and called me a, er, 'poophead'  

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I am going to HAVE to get a picture of him with that cone on, if it doesn't upset him too much..  

- Sarah

[LuckyPleo]

Puppies? That's too cute! Such a smart little bird, and he looks very pretty too!

[Crewella]

A very smart bird indeed, in every way!  Glad he's come out fighting! 

[kat]

He sounds like a real character.    

[Talon]

I'm glad he's doing better, too. Glad he's still spunky! Lol!
Talon

[latrine]

Ugh.. we got a phone call last night around 9pm, Tyler had prolapsed again..
I of course went into full panic mode, if it happened again this fast it's never going to stop..etc.. so I calmed myself down as quickly as I could (thank you Valium) (prescribed!!)
and we called the vet and then rushed down to my brothers house, picked Tyler up and brought him to the vet.  I felt so bad for him, it was obviously painful and he was being such a trooper.. 
Luckily it was the same Doctor and he was very nice, explained everything.. I got to be in there while they performed the procedure.. They knocked him out, cleaned the area, pushed the prolapse back in, and this time the doctor put in more sutures to make the vent area smaller.
He hadn't wanted to make it too small originally because he wanted to make sure there was enough room for stool to get out but since it popped out again so quickly there was no choice but to make it smaller. 
So he is going to be staying with us for the time being, in a hospital cage-like setup, heating pad underneath, and he will be fed more watered down foods to help him go to the bathroom more easily.. also it will be easier for me to give the medicine and he can stay nice and calm here.  Once he is doing better and the sutures and collar have been off for a little while without any problems, he can go back home to my brothers house and be happy with the kids again
We got home at like 3am.. I finally got done setting him up comfortably around 5:30 am, after making sure he'd had some liquids and was warm enough and calm, since he was very upset at first.. and he was just so exhausted too.  So am I.. I sat next to him for the rest of the 'night' and got no sleep, again.. one of these days I really need to get some sleep.
For now my little boy can rest easy at home and be super spoiled.. I can't wait till he's feeling a little better and I can show him Loki the Aibo and all the Pleos.. he will go bonkers over the sounds they make!! But for now we are staying quiet and calm.. Thank god he is ok...


- Sarah

[kat]

Hey Sarah, I am so sorry to hear that Tyler had a relapse.  My fingers are crossed for you both that he makes a full recovery this time.