I have a bit of good news to share!

After bringing Kita through Aspergillosis last fall, her blood panels were still showing odd numbers. We ended up doing a Lead and Zinc test. Her Lead level was fine and her Zinc level came back at a whopping 4.8 PPM (parts per million). Anything above 2.0 is considered toxic and needs to be treated.

We began chelation therapy with DMSA (Dimercaptosuccinic Acid) for Zinc Toxicity. The treatment itself can be toxic because it strips the good with the bad from their system. It's not uncommon for levels to fall slightly, remain the same or even rise after chelation therapy because the zinc that was stored in the bones and other tissues then leaches back into the bloodstream for excretion from the body.

We had to test, treat, re-test and repeat this procedure three times before we got acceptable levels! Then we followed up by testing every two months to be sure there was no further excess zinc to be leached out and once again send the numbers to a toxic level.

So with all that said, I am very happy to say, I just got the call from AV yesterday morning and we're finally done!! Her zinc level has remained at a safe 1.6 and so closes another chapter!!

I must have missed something! How did she get sick from zinc? Very scary!

I was just going to post how this happened, in case anyone wanted to know. Kita lived in a hell hole, with nothing but a cage, 2 dishes and a perch, prior to her coming to live with me. She was very sick for a long time. To quote my AV's words when she first saw her a year ago, "This bird is two weeks away from dead."

Anyway, when we got the Zinc report I started testing everything. The only thing I couldn't test was the lovely cage I took her from as I left that behind. I did have a picture of it though. So thanks to someone on a message board contacting me when I asked about this cage, I found out that she also had this same old cage and had it tested and it came back with very high zinc levels. I always caution people about buying or using old cages and this is why.

Wonderful news Karen and thanks so much for sharing all the specific details of your & your bird's ordeal. I'm sure the info. you supplied will definitely help someone else and their bird(s) in the future.

Thank God she found you! How old is she?

From what I was told she is 17 this year. I think she's much older though or she just looks much older.

Maybe she just looks worn from being sick for so long. Maybe that will change, or perhaps she has an old soul. Im sure she has many years ahead of her in your care. Im so happy to hear she is stable now.

wow, karen - those are great news... it's so great that you took her in and brought her back to health....

i can only imagine what a feeling that must be - i'm happy for you

That is so great Karen! I'm so happy for you and Kita!

great news Karen