| I thought I'd close out this series with an update on Cody Carrottops (my
Citron-crested cockatoo baby). First off, Dr. McMillan was *FABULOUS*. It was a
long trip down to Walpole for us (1 1/2 hours, partly because I didn't pick the
best route). It was also well worth it. Dr. McMillan was very kind, seems to be
an outstanding diagnostician with loads of experience, and makes a point of
calling back the evening that she gets test results in.
On reviewing Cody's history, Dr. McMillan's first response was that, with the
CBC so elevated, she suspected a "deep" infection. She took blood for a new CBC
and blood chemistry for liver and kidney function, and also did a "deep sinus"
culture. The results showed that her white count was still quite elevated (this
was after a month on Baytril), her liver function was abnormal, she had abnormal
cells in the mucous membrane lining her sinuses, and a bacterial infection of
the sinuses. Dr. McMillan was away when the test results were due, so she
arranged to have one of her associate vets call the results. The associate was
kind of an idiot (she called me at almost 10:30 pm and told me that it could be
months of repeat testing before the problem was diagnosed, telling me the story
of her dream patient who was still bringing in a bird after 18 months of
testing!!! She also mentioned that Dr. McMillan pioneered avian radiology and
was "probably the...best in the world"); at least she called in the results.
We made another journey to Walpole for x-rays and a "deep trachael" culture. Dr.
McMillan made some disclaimers before doing the culture, stating that she would
get down as deep as she could, the deeper the better, but it depended partly on
how much Cody cooperated. I felt bad for poor Cody, but the culture went
extremely well (Dr. McMillan started exclaiming "perfect!" and "oh, wonderful!"
while poor Cody's eyes rolled around -- too late for her to escape!)
Then they took her off for x-rays. The x-rays brought the bad news. Dr. McMillan
pointed out all her internal features (this is her spine, here is her liver --
it looks normal, here are her kidneys -- they look normal, etc.). Then she
pointed to her heart and said, "This is her heart. It's misshapen, with a bubble
coming off of it..." At this point, I didn't hear anything she said, but was
clutching poor Cody trying not to cry. I "came to" when I heard Dr. McMillan
say, "They're difficult to identify, but treatable." Then I didn't hear any
more for a while, while I sighed some relief.
The bottom line was that Cody had an infection in the lining of her heart! As I
had suspected, the recurring sinus infections were secondary.
Dr. McMillan prescribed a specific antibiotic to start, while we waited for the
'deep tracheal' culture. The culture came back normal, so she extended the
antibiotic (Cefadroxil?) for 4 more days and asked to have another CBC and blood
chemistry for bile acids done 5-7 days after the prescription ended.
Dr. McMillan called last night to confirm the test results -- all tests are now
normal and Cody appears to be cured!!! This poor baby has been sick since before
I bought her, but finally, at age 10 months, I think she's finally well! We'll
know 100% in 3 months, when I repeat the CBC.
Mary
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| It cost me a bundle, although less than buying Cody (Citrons are not the
most expensive cockatoos, but they're not the cheapest either). I don't
know what I have for recourse with the pet shop owner, but that is my
next step, now that I we have a diagnosis and cure and ending point. I
chose to buy her (I had the initial tests done the day after I bought
her), but had already invested emotionally, with 2-3 weekly trips 45
minutes to the pet store to spend bonding time with her and learning to
hand feed her, so from the day I had the initial results, returning her
was not an easy option.
I'm hoping either to get some cash compensation or free pellets and
supplies over time. To be honest, I haven't thought about it for some
time -- after the associate vet told me it could take months and months
and might not be curable, I gave up hope of compensation. Thanks for the
reminder!
Mary
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