Merlin's got the runs...

[TeGz]

For the last week Merlins poop has been really weird. It has the normal non normal urates... BUT they've been bright green.. the colour of "healthy" droppings, cept this isnt' the actual dropping... and when she has been pooing, they're massive.. nearly half my fingernail!! She seems to have been doing a lot, so its not like she's constipated. Her vent is all stained yellow and gross... and it seems like theres ALWAYS poo there.. I can't clean it because she stresses and has a panic attack because of all the tests she's had done at the vets..

We have her on Protexin atm because her gut flora isn't as it should be due to the doxy.... She's ever so slightly puffed up.. but being Merlin thats not unusual either, and she IS moulting... Could she just be stressed? Cos this moult is massive.. i swear!

I should hopefully get my dads camera tomorrow so I can compare the two... but just wondering if anyone has any ideas?? The vets think ccocidia again (NOOO) but Wimpy isn't sick.. so they don't know.. Looks like I know where my spare pay will be going!

Will she EVER get a break? I'm so f*cking sick of this.. shes still playing soccer.. but she's NOT bright I don't wanna lose my angel girl.

[Berserka]

It could be just stress, my girls poo goes like that when they are breeding which is pretty stressful. Dunno TeGz, it's just a thought.

[Julie]

Oh TeGz you poor thong-it must be soul destroying.

www.birds-online.de/gesundheit/gesallgemein/indikatorkot_en.htm

www.birds-online.de/gesundheit/gesparasiten/spulwuermer-brutus_en.htm

Green or Yellow Urates: Liver Disease
Anorexia

Diarrhea is an increase in frequency and liquid content of the fecal component of the droppings. In birds, the droppings are composed of three elements: feces, urates and urine. The droppings are stored in the cloaca, the common emptying chamber for the gastrointestinal, urinary and reproductive tracts.

Feces are produced in the intestinal tract, and are normally green or brown in color. Urine and urates are produced in the kidneys. Usually, birds only produce a very small volume of liquid urine, and the majority of the waste from the kidneys is in the form of semi-solid, white/beige urates.

Occasionally, a larger volume of urine is produced (polyuria), which is often mistaken for diarrhea. Birds that are polyuric have a more liquid dropping, but the fecal component remains solid and formed. Birds with diarrhea have a more liquid consistency to the fecal component.

General Causes


Bacterial infections

Fungal infections

Viral infections

Dietary changes

Toxins

Foreign bodies lodged in the intestinal tract

Your veterinarian will recommend specific diagnostic tests depending on how severe the diarrhea is, how long the bird has had diarrhea, and if other symptoms are present. Birds that are showing other symptoms, such as vomiting, anorexia or lethargy may require extensive diagnostic testing.

If your bird occasionally has a few droppings with a liquid or loosely formed fecal component and has no other symptoms, it may be normal. If, however, the diarrhea is persistent (lasts more than a day), recurrent (returns frequently) or other symptoms occur, medical attention is needed.

What to Watch For


Lethargy

Ruffled feathers

Tucking the head under the wing

Loss of appetite

Vomiting or regurgitation

Blood in the stool, which appears as dark, green-black tarry stool

Lack of feces in the dropping

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will recommend specific diagnostic tests depending on the severity of the diarrhea, or if other symptoms are present.

A complete history is extremely helpful in reaching a diagnosis. Be prepared to tell your veterinarian when the diarrhea began, the consistency of the diarrhea, and if it contains blood. Additionally, tell your veterinarian the type of diet your bird is on, describe his chewing habits and note any potential exposure to other birds.

Diagnostic testing your veterinarian may perform include:


A thorough physical examination

A complete blood count (CBC) and serum biochemistry panel

Sampling the crop and/or feces for bacterial culture and cytology

Radiography (X-Rays) to look for evidence of intestinal disease

Endoscopy to view the intestinal tract or body cavity

Don't know if any of these help?