2023 Living Legend: Polly Rhythm

The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center’s annual Living Legends highlights some of the incredible work that goes on at our hospital every day while celebrating the unbreakable bond that exists between people and their pets. Each year we honor companion animals who survived seemingly insurmountable health challenges because of their owners’ love and dedication, along with the exceptional care and innovative treatment they received from our specialty veterinarians.
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Polly Rhythm, a 58-year-old Amazon parrot, is our oldest Living Legend! This sweet, talkative guy visited the AMC’s Emilia Saint-Amand Krimendahl Institute for Trauma Care after falling awkwardly off his perch. He was triaged and stabilized in the ER before seeing Dr. La’Toya Latney in our Avian & Exotic Pet Medicine Service. Dr. Latney suspected that Polly had suffered a stroke, which is common in older parrots. A CT scan confirmed this diagnosis. Polly responded immediately to treatment and was soon discharged. However, the stroke impacted Polly’s vocal abilities, and he tragically lost the ability to sing. That’s when AMC’s Tina Santi Flaherty Rehabilitation and Fitness Service took over. They designed a full rehabilitation program, including exercises to be done at home, and, within two weeks, Polly had made great progress and started singing again.