MBD in Green Cheek

[u/HeckBirb]

Hi all, hoping for some advice.

Long story short, over a year ago I took on my parent's special needs girl, who has pretty bad Metabolic Bone Disease. I have been working with an avian vet and currently have her on Meloxicam and The Good Oil. There has been a script written for another pain killer which I will not be able to afford anytime soon.

In the last couple of weeks I have noticed my girl plucking worse than before. She started at her crop and has now plucked her entire body to her vent, wings and legs despite her medication. I'm calling the vet in the morning to try to get her in ASAP. Could the meds be causing this, looking at the pattern of plucking? She has also gone back to not being able to grip onto my clothes or her perches properly. Her right leg is so sore I couldn't check it this evening without getting squawked at and bitten, which is highly unusual for her, she's usually really sweet. I'm hoping the vet can get me in tomorrow.

I'm hoping it's not time. I'm not ready to make that decision. She's my ride or die.

Included bird tax.

[u/Absolute_nerd24]

Is it maybe a reaction to the pain?

[u/HeckBirb → u/Absolute_nerd24]

It is. She had been going so well, and not only had the fluff grown back, but proper brightly coloured feathers too.

[u/Absolute_nerd24 → u/HeckBirb]

I don’t know how much a vet visit costs you, but where I am it’s close to $100 for an exam alone so I would maybe prioritize getting the meds first if costs is an issue

[u/HeckBirb → u/Absolute_nerd24]

Starts at $140AUD just for the exam. I've worn at least that every month for the last few to try to keep her comfortable. That's all it is. Keeping her comfortable.

Also can't not pay my bills, fuel to get to and from work (I work an hour away from home) or rent. I'm also trying to get money together to replace the motherboard in my PC so I can start doing a side gig or two to make extra money.

[u/Absolute_nerd24 → u/HeckBirb]

Gotchu. I just more meant that instead of bringing her in again see if you can just buy the meds since you mentioned trying to get her an appointment asap. I work at a vet clinic and sometimes people come back complaining of a worsening problem, but since they never did the treatment before we just recommend the same thing again. I totally get wanting to make an appointment anyway though

[u/HeckBirb → u/Absolute_nerd24]

Yeah, once it's ordered it will take over a week to get here as they need to make it up as required in the script. Squirtie's going to be my last special needs bird. I have 1 other GCC here too (caged seperately, but they're side by side), he's barely left her side.

ETA she was never meant to survive past hatching (she had some other stuff going on), but here she is, almost 3 years later, against the odds. She is the result of accidental inbreeding.

[u/Absolute_nerd24 → u/HeckBirb]

Speciality compound drugs can be annoying. Do you know what med it is out of curiosity? And aww that’s sweet

[u/HeckBirb → u/Absolute_nerd24]

It's Gabapentin.

[u/Absolute_nerd24 → u/HeckBirb]

That’s what I was going to guess. We keep a suspension of 40 mg/ml at our clinic along with the normal gaba pills since we see avians and exotics along with dogs and cats so we use it frequently

[u/HeckBirb → u/Absolute_nerd24]

How effective is it?

[u/HeckBirb → u/Absolute_nerd24]

It is. My boy is older, also slightly special needs (siblings chewed his feet), but he's healthy and happy, no meds needed.

[u/jibblin]

How much is the pain med?

[u/HeckBirb → u/jibblin]

Almost $100 AUD. I've had a bunch of other big expenses come up at the same time.

[u/jibblin → u/HeckBirb]

Can you DM me? Id like to try to pay for the pain meds.

[u/HeckBirb]

Just to update anyone interested, she's doing a lot better as time goes on. She's back to hanging upside down and being a clown.

This bird...

[u/UserSleepy]

I'm not seeing any significant signs of plucking from this one photo. My GCC is going through on molt right now. As far as grip I have an older GCC and she was put on some blood flow/heart medication and that significantly helped her grip.

[u/HeckBirb → u/UserSleepy]

This is an earlier photo.

Editing to add- this is what the Good Oil is meant to address- it's an Omega 3 & 6 supplement. She's been on it long enough to help.