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Post by Scully on Aug 8, 2008 4:18:20 GMT
is that a serious thing? I dont know alot about thier diets. Good you have some answers, and something to go forward with..claws crossed over here ;D
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Post by mybirdpix on Aug 8, 2008 4:23:31 GMT
Ant larvae?? ewwwwwwwww I never heard of that. I think though I might be a little scared that there might be something bad in the ground.
I did some research as well to see what fruits were lower in carbohydrates so I can cut back there too.
So tree bits...do you mean the bark off trees or a branch or something? I was thinking of starting some plants in the house for all the birds. I've been looking up some that are recommended and it kind of sounds fun. Also was thinking I should be sprouting my own sprouts because getting them in the stores now is kind of scary.
I just hope a diet change is all he needs. If I have to I will do the insulin for him but if changing his diet fixes things then that would be wonderful.
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Post by Berserka on Aug 8, 2008 10:44:38 GMT
oh trust me! you have never seen a lorikeet as excited as when they spy ant larvae! I thought Bo was going to wet herself in excitement! her eyes pinned like nothing I've ever seen, she polished them off in 10 seconds flat (about 20 larvae). It's easy to dig up and it's safe - they are really good sources of protein. Bark, leaves, dirt, flowers etc. they chomp it all in the wild.
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Post by mybirdpix on Aug 8, 2008 14:13:39 GMT
The thing that scares me is the amount of sprays that are put on our outside plants for bugs. I don't think that would be too safe. I guess if I lived in the country hmmmm I guess I need to go for a nature walk away from all the city chemicals.
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Post by kiwi on Aug 9, 2008 7:04:04 GMT
I'm so glad to hear that they've finally found out the cause of Robby's seizures, my Mum died of undiagnosed diabetes when she was 37, she suffered a huge seizure from which she never came round from. I'm hopeful for you that you can control his diabetes with a change in his diet - I now work for Abbott Diabetes Care as manager of their laboratories, I find it very rewarding and it makes me SO happy that diabetes is more readily diagnosed these days, too late for Mum but so wonderful for all new sufferers who are diagnosed earlier. Robby you have a special place in my heart and I've asked my Mum to watch over you xx
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Post by mybirdpix on Aug 9, 2008 13:57:01 GMT
I'm so glad to hear that they've finally found out the cause of Robby's seizures, my Mum died of undiagnosed diabetes when she was 37, she suffered a huge seizure from which she never came round from. I'm hopeful for you that you can control his diabetes with a change in his diet - I now work for Abbott Diabetes Care as manager of their laboratories, I find it very rewarding and it makes me SO happy that diabetes is more readily diagnosed these days, too late for Mum but so wonderful for all new sufferers who are diagnosed earlier. Robby you have a special place in my heart and I've asked my Mum to watch over you xx OH NO I am so sorry to hear about your Mom.. She would be so proud of you working for the cause. Thanks so much for your kind words that means a lot to Robby and I.
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Post by Liz on Aug 9, 2008 17:20:08 GMT
I'm glad to hear the doctors finally figured out what was going on, it must be a relief that it isn't anything requiring surgery, etc. Good luck with the diet change!
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Post by Berserka on Aug 10, 2008 5:14:54 GMT
oh Deb that's so tragic! I reckon it just makes it so much harder when it's an undiagnosed and is a controllable disease. My mother was diagnosed as diabetic in December last year but her regular doctor says she thinks she's more pre-diabetic. My thoughts are with you Deb.
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Post by mybirdpix on Aug 13, 2008 1:49:59 GMT
Just a little update. The vet still has not called me since he left the message about the results. I've called him about 8 times since Thursday and so far he has NOT returned my call. I'm so frustrated right now. I've gone to sites that have online vets and asked for advice and you would not believe the differences in opinions. It's mind boggling. Now I'm back to "Do I hunt around for yet another avian vet?" Do I just keep haunting this one with calls? Do I tell his receptionist to send the results to my old avian vet and continue with treatment and monitoring there? Anyway, just venting a little here. Robby's energy is back up today, he's been doing a lot of sitting and cuddling since the blood work. I'm sure that's all it was. He's accepting the mushy fruits and veggies I'm making him really well. Hopefully I'm doing the right things. I've cut his nectar down to once a day as opposed to twice and it's more diluted now. He isn't getting any treats at the moment until I can figure out what's good and what's not. I've given him egg whites from hard boiled eggs a couple of nights before bed but that's about it. I'll keep you all informed. Thanks so much for caring and listening.
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Post by mybirdpix on Aug 13, 2008 14:25:00 GMT
I spoke to the vet this morning. He was waiting for the cbc report from the lab and they sent it to the wrong vet office. He now has it and the results are good. There are no infections in the blood, his white blood count is normal.
He also says what I'm doing is good so now we feed Robby more fruits and veggies, reduce his nectar intake and get him out for exercise a couple of times a day. Watch his weight so it doesn't do an extreme drop and in a month take him back for more blood work to see if it's improved. Right now it's sitting at over 700 and normal is 200 - 400.
So unless his weight drops a lot or he has a seizure I keep doing what I'm doing and pray.
Insulin is a last resort if this fails.
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Post by Scully on Aug 14, 2008 3:09:05 GMT
Sounds like hes quite heavy at 700. Hopefully what you are doing will bring his weight down. Good about test results though, glad to hear they did not find anything else. It must be hard to monitor a nutritious diet for a Lori, its sounds quite complicated. Is he a perch potato?
My little guy Graham i have to try and keep on the heavy side, as he cant fly and has falls. He needs the extra fat to protect his front chest bones.
claws crossed.. he will loose that weight, and the seizures will stop ;D
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Post by mybirdpix on Aug 14, 2008 4:06:06 GMT
The 700 is his blood sugar level not his weight....lol He is a little heavy but he's 160 grams not 700...that would be one monstrous lorikeet
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Post by Scully on Aug 14, 2008 17:24:53 GMT
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Post by mybirdpix on Aug 14, 2008 23:10:00 GMT
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Post by Scully on Aug 15, 2008 4:00:36 GMT
Robbie Rotund!!! Checking on my avairy birds , i decided i must have a perch potato myself..I have a sweet grey Budge called William. While i was giving them some sprouts i noticed he was having a tad trouble flying. He looked like a troup carrier plane flying around. Picking him up ..boy he was podgey! anyway not good!! I now have ...William the Weighty
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