Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treatment of neck injury and muscle disease in a female Eclectus
By Hale Mitchell, Lorrie K et al.·Published in Journal of avian medicine and surgery·2023·Louisiana State University, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Successful Treatment of a Cervical Injury and Myopathy Using Integrative Medicine Techniques in an Eclectus Parrot () Following Cervical Entrapment.
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old female eclectus parrot was brought in for severe neck problems and depression after a suspected injury. The vet found that her neck was bent down and she was quiet but responsive. Blood tests showed high levels of enzymes indicating muscle damage, and she received fluids, pain relief, and nutritional support. Along with traditional treatments, the vet used integrative therapies like acupuncture and massage to help with pain and recovery. By the end of her 20-day hospital stay, the parrot was eating on her own, lifting her head better, and showed no signs of pain.
People also search for: eclectus parrot neck injury treatment · parrot myopathy symptoms · integrative therapy for birds
Abstract
A 2-year-old female eclectus parrot () was presented for suspected cervical myopathy due to trauma. Severe ventroflexion of the cervical spine and mental depression were identified during the physical examination. The bird was responsive to stimuli but otherwise quiet. Plasma biochemistry results were suggestive of a myopathy, based on marked elevations of both aspartate transaminase (25 652 U/L) and creatine kinase (253 240 U/L). Whole-body radiographic images were unremarkable. Treatment was initiated with supportive therapy for presumptive shock, dehydration, pain, myopathy, and possible spinal swelling. Allopathic therapy included subcutaneous fluids; vitamins A, D, and E; dexamethasone sodium phosphate; hydromorphone; and gavage feeding to treat the acute inflammatory process and provide nutritional support during healing. Supportive care through the Integrative Medicine Department (Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA) was also performed on the patient. Photobiomodulation, acupuncture,massage, and rehabilitation exercises were instituted to provide adjunct treatment for relieving pain, promoting muscle healing, improving patient demeanor, and improving cervical mobility. Integrative therapies were well tolerated by the patient, with no sedation required. By day 3, mentation had subjectively improved by 50% despite the persistent cervical ventroflexion. By day 8, the elevated serum enzyme activities had decreased, the patient could eat and drink on its own, and it could readily step up and seek attention during handling. The bird was able to lift its head and could hold it at approximately 50% of normal posture. Integrative therapies were continued throughout hospitalization. The bird was released from the hospital 20 days after initial intake, with head carriage in approximately 80% of the expected normal position and no apparent cervical pain based on palpation. This case demonstrates the benefits of integrative therapies as an adjunct treatment for cervical pain and myopathy in a psittacine species.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37733456/