After living in the same home for 15 years, his owner moved overseas and couldn't take him along. Pauly lived in a cockatiel-sized cage and was fed only seed.
As we do with all our larger birds, we had him to the vet for a wellness exam and bloodwork. His liver enzymes and bile acids were the highest we've ever seen in a bird. These results were caused by the poor diet he was on in the past. Our vet also did x-rays and, finally, a liver biopsy. When she called after the biopsy, she reported that the liver was orange and crumbly (it should be smooth and purplish). The pathology came back with a diagnosis of fatty liver disease and cirrhosis of the liver.
This diagnosis means that Pauly's time with us is now very limited. His poor diet has virtually turned his liver into fat and what is left is in bad shape. One day his liver will cease to function and he will literally fall off his perch dead.
We have a wonderful volunteer who is willing to take Pauly into her home for the last days/weeks/months of his life. Pauly, by all rights, should be living to be 50-60 years old. He is probably now in his early 20s. It's just a shame that a person can have a pet for so many years and never take the time to learn how to properly care for it. We will never understand that logic (or lack thereof).
3 comments:
Poor Pauly! :( Can birds have milk thistle and sam-E? I know we give it to the dogs to help the liver. Good vibes winging their way from the 5 'Zons here!
Poor Pauly. I am so often saddened by how many of our small and feathered friends suffer so greatly from good intentions and poor knowledge.
In reading this sad story about pauly it reminds me of my April that I adopted from you who had the same fatty liver disease, from a poor diet. We took her into our home anyways, we loved her unconditionally and gave her a great home and good diet, but she was only to be with us for a short year. I have no regrets in our short time with her. The problem lies in people not educating themselves about a pet before they take on this responsibility. There is so much more then just cheap seed and water to feed these beautiful little feathered friends. Thank you to the volunteer who will take Pauly into her home and give it the best days/weeks, months of its life. you are all a godsend there. I admire all the love and caring you give each and every bird who enters your place.
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