15 hours ago
Parrot with neurology issuegets MRI scan, acupuncture
Mumbai: A parrot was put through an MRI scan and is undergoing acupuncture for a neurological disorder. Found by a car-washer under a vehicle in Chembur, the bird has ataxia — a neurological problem — but is showing signs of slow recovery.
When it was found under a car, the parrot kept trembling. It could not bend its neck to have water from a bowl nor could it bite into food. An x-ray did not show anything much, said Dr Deepa Katyal Engineer who is treating the bird. "It had a traumatic injury to the tail. The shaking of its body pointed to ataxia which could be a neurological issue," said the vet, who specialises in pain management with special interest in neurological disorders.
For a conclusive diagnosis, an MRI scan of the brain and spine was done at a facility for humans. "We needed to first be sure if it was a neurological issue. If yes, whether or not it was reversible," said Dr Katyal. To get the bird under the MRI machine, it had to be administered anaesthesia.
While doing an MRI scan, movement is not allowed, while this bird was constantly moving. "Images would not have been possible without anaesthesia," the vet said, adding that a respiratory tube was attached to the little bird as an airway access while using injectable anaesthesia.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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The scan detected changes in the area of injury which pointed to lack of coordination between muscle and nerves. Also, the bird's tail bone, which has nerve endings, was affected. "The spinal nerve bundle also had inflammation," said Dr Katyal.
The parrot is being administered painkillers, phototherapy and acupuncture. "Birds can't be over-medicated with drugs as blood flow to the liver and kidneys can get reduced, affecting their function long term," said the vet treating the bird at her clinic, Animal Wellness & Rehabilitation Centre, Chembur.
The bird is being given acupuncture treatment thrice a week. Acupuncture helps strengthen the nerves, Dr Katyal said. It is also being treated daily with 'phototherapy', an advanced therapy in pain management which improves blood flow and reduces inflammation. It helps improve the affected part and helps regenerate new cells.
In less than a week, the parrot started taking baby steps, and pecking at food, including being able to strip sunflower seeds. "It is walking slowly, but still staggers… Overall, it is showing improvement," said the doctor. "I hope its tail injury will regenerate into normal functioning soon, though such issues can take months."
