*Sniffle* I cannot imagine how a person could be so cruel! It still amazes me that birds can trust, even after something like that They are so wonderful!!!

Ironically, Angie called me at the store this evening. Hemmy is doing good. He is still on medications and is going back to the vet for more tests next week. He has gained his weight back - or at least a good amount of it! So things are looking up!!

Thanks for the update Kathie! That's so great to hear! I hope things continue to look up for them! Keep us posted!

That is great to hear! I hope he continues to improve!

YESSS!! Thank you SO much for the update Kathie! I hope you told her, Hemmingway has a ton of people rooting for him!

What a great story. So sad and so uplifting at the same time. Thanks so much for sharing and thanks for the update Kathie!

This is a little last as I was unable to register a few weeks ago, but as the Mom to Hemingway, the bird referenced in the "Prayers Needed - Possible PDD" and "A Heartwarming Story" threads, I would like to comment.

My parents did lose a young Illiger's Macaw who was roughly a year old, however, we had a tissue necropsy performed, and PDD was not listed as the cause of death. In fact, Baxter had a congenital liver defect, and this is clearly listed as the cause. I have purchased three Eclectus and three Macaws from Todd Marcus Bird's Exotic in NJ, and all have been happy, healthy birds with the exception of the Illiger's. As a matter of fact, Calvin's Mom was the first friendly employee to greet me at Birds Exotic, and she actually introduced me to Hemingway, a then 2 year old male Eclectus in need of a new home. Of course, no bird owner wants to hear the three lethal letters PDD, so I kept researching and asking questions. I spoke with upwards of a hundred people who have Eclectus and other birds who have been misdiagnosed based on an enlarged proventriculus. We are still in the testing phase, but it appears that Hemingway has ingested pieces of his cage liner paper (a partially waxed paper) over the course of the last several months and this material, undetectable on x-ray, could be sitting in his proventriculus causing the distention. Hemingway has responded well to anti-fungal meds for a yeast infection, and antibiotics for a bacterial infection, and is now gaining back some of the lost weight. He went from 514 grams to 471 grams in a matter of days after becoming syptomatic, and was back to 484 grams after only three days of treatment. Since there is no definitive test for PDD, I can only keep testing for another cause and remain hopeful. I can say, though, that I have other beautiful birds and I thank Todd Marcus for all of his experience and advice over the last 4 years. Todd and his staff, including Kathie, have been an invaluable resource to me!

I am happy to report that today Hemingway was 515 grams during the morning weigh-in, and he is back to his normal self again. He is eating, active and vocalizing. His meds are complete, and we are doing a follow up x-ray on Saturday to assess the proventriculus again. Today is Hemingway's Birthday, and I thank God that he is here to celebrate another year with me.

Angie, Hemingway, Otis and Cayenne

Meet Hemingway, the feathered love of my life: http://www.landofvos.com/tales/hemingway/hemingway.html

Angie

I am so glad that you were able to finally post! As you can read for yourself, Hemmingway has a great group of cheerleaders here.

Happy hatchday to Hemmingway. It sounds as if he is really coming around. Those birdies can certainly make you worry.

Here's hoping that he continues to do well.

Oh and BTW

WELCOME to PARROT CHATTER!

Check out the other forums. You will really love it here!

Angie, thank you for the update!

It sounds like Hemingway may be on the road to recovery, at least from the weight gain. Keep showing you love and we will keep praying for him from here.

Hi Angie, Welcome to ParrotChatter! Happy Hatchday to sweet Hemingway! I am so glad to read that Hemingway is feeling better and I am sending prayers that he remain healthy and happy!