upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

Hi,

Ok, so the story goes, that around late summer or so, my budgie (about 6.5-7 years old, male) could not fly straight any more. Every time he tried to fly, he gradually descended towards the floor as if he didn't have enough energy. He didn't show any sign of broken wing or anything.

So I took him to the avian vet (so they called!) where an individual who claimed to be a budgie expert told me - after examining him - that he has too much fat on his belly which pulls him down. That was one of the most ridiculous and stupid thing I've ever heard, but she sold me a medicine which I should administer him daily that reduces fat.

The bird was quite active, singing and chirping and all that. So after about a month I noticed that his left wing start to droop down and doesn't look good. So I took him back, where the avian "specialists" suggested to just trim his wings so it wouldn't bother him. Ok.

But things got worse. His left wing is completely somehow twisted, and about half of his wing feathers are curled below his stomach. As a result he has even difficulty walking because his leg is in-between his flight feathers.

Yet again I took him to the "vets" where they tried to tie his wing. However, during this procedure, they didn't notice that they accidentally tied his wing to his legs. I was going crazy, like what the hell are you doing!

Ahhh... ok. So I said, just forget it. It was at the point where they cannot do anything about it.

So by this time he got so week, that he can barely balance on the perch. He has to hang on to the bars either with one leg, or with his beak so he wont fall.

I put one perch all the way down to about less then 1 inch to the floor and he has a lot of difficulty even climbing up to the perch, even that 1 inch high. And of course this became worse since the "avian vet" accidentally tied his wing to his leg. But anyhow.

He still eats. His food dish is on the floor but it takes a lot of effort for him to climb up to the food dish. Even though, it's just a small food dish, maybe about 1.5 inch high. He is shaking a lot, and if I put him down to the floor - which I don't really do it any more - but he flips around to his back because his leg is between his left wing, and can't turn back around.

So now I'm in the crying period because I can't believe he is not in pain. Is it time to put him to sleep? How can I tell if he is ready to go? I mean, what if he still wants to hang around? The vet said they can give him some gas that will put him to asleep.

I mean I know he will not get better and seeing him having difficulty just to get to the food dish, is well, break my heart.

I guess, I just want to get "approval" (?) I don't think this is the right term because it feels stupid to put it this way, just want to get others' opinion if this would be the time to put him asleep?

thanks.

leslie

Well, I confess, I think -- and hope -- you're a troll, Leslie. Before considering putting any bird down, you should get reputable vet care and advice. If you'd like our help finding a reputable avian vet, tell us where you live and which vet(s) you've already seen, and maybe we can help you.

Paca

I'm not sure what you mean by troll, but either way, I've been here 3 times so far:

http://www.eaeamc.com/

The AAV website is down right now, so I'm not able to look for other avian vets near Kirkland. Have you? You obviously don't feel your bird has gotten good care, yet their website surely makes them SOUND wonderful.

Budgies often fall victim to tumors that make their little bodies heavy and misshapen. It's very possible this is what's causing your bird's problems, but it doesn't seem your vet(s) have told you that or tested for it. If he were my bird and that clinic was the only avian vet within 50 miles, I'd ask them to do a consultation with another avian vet via phone. I'll be glad to tell you more about how that works via PM, if you'd like, and I can recommend some well-respected vets to have your vet contact. It would cost about the same as any vet exam and can yield quite valuable information, especially since you're considering ending his life.

I hope your boy has some good days left.

Paca

Dear Leslie,

Euthanasia is a deeply personal and emotionally painful decision. I wrote recently (within the last few years) about this subject on Yahoo Answers to which my responses were about 50-50, but the ones who were against me definitely had hate in their speak. When using this term in conjunction with a "companion" either animal or human, it evokes the harshest emotional chords.

I reviewed your Doctor's web site and see all the customary credentials of an Avian Practice. Based on their "Curriculum Vitae" I would feel confident enough to bring any member of my flock for a consultation. But you see that is what it is, "a consultation," and as such you place a certain amount of faith upon these experts to provide services you require. It is up to you to make all the final decisions in the care and well being of your companion.

In your writing I have come to know a beautiful little boy and a horrible disease or tumor that is taking hold of him. I have read about all the care you as a concerned companion have provided for him. Your compassion about his well being is wrote about and I find deserving for the length he has lived in this world and shared your kindness. I can see you have done everything for the good of your bird and would not consider you neglecting in your duty to him. The best person to make this decision is YOU. In church today I will offer a special prayer for you in order to find the wisdom it takes to care for him in this condition or the courage to say goodbye.

Dutch

As was stated tumors both Lipomas (fat tumors) and hard tumors can cause all kinds of problem and may are in the belly area. Lipmas can be controlled to some degree with diet, removing most all the fat (seed) from the diet. This means the bird already needs to know how to eat veggies and fruits. This is not the time to try and convert it to a good diet.

These bird experts/vets were blowing you & your bird off when their advice was cosmetic “trim the flights” to make the wings even. This was not professional on any level and I would have told them. There should not have been a 3rd visit to this office. Look at the pictures. Your bird is in pain look at that hinged tail. Unless your bird was a hinged tail when you bought it they also do this when they are uncomfortable. It looks like the wing might be dislocated.

You need to find an good avian vet one who likes his/her profession!

As far a putting your bird to sleep, that is your call. You live with this bird, you know what the quality is life is at right now.

Being overweight can cause issues.. as well as tumors... A bird that is overweight is usually so due to a lack of exercise and a bad diet... however, with that said, my budgies are cage-free, eat a variety of foods, and 4 of them are overweight... yet, they started packing those grams when the weather became colder... so it will be interesting to see if they loose weight when the weather gets warmer.

As for the feathers, well when I read of them curling I immediately thought of PBFD (Beak and Feather Disease). PBFD can cause feathers to curl and most birds have a high mortality rate if they get it.... although it seems that lories are more immune to it (they can get PBFD and loose feathers, but then eventually they may grow in normal feathers and look like a normal, healthy bird) as well as quakers (but then they say that South American birds may be more immune to certain diseases? I don't know... but truth is, any bird CAN get it)


Other than seeing another avian vet I couldn't really tell you what to do to help, other than possibly try adjusting his diet, keeping him extra warm (heat lamp? heating pad? - may want to try putting towels around 3 sides of the cage and trying to keep temp between 80-95° in the cage - adjusting it so whenever he appears too warm), and maybe putting some Pedialyte, Powerade, Gatorade, or similar in his water (about 50/50).

Honestly, it looks like his wing is dislocated. My vet was unable to fix this in my tiel, but he lives a very active and healthy lifestyle, he just can't fly. I make sure he runs around and climbs a lot.

As long as your bird is healthy, happy, and not in pain, I would let him live. He may need some accomidations like any special needs bird, but as long as he isn't in pain I would think twice.

Gosh this is such a sad post... I am having a hard time believing these vets are for real
In my opinion it sounds either like a dislocated wing or a tumor. I hope you can find another vet instead of going to that 3 stooges clinic before you put that little budgie to sleep.
please keep us updated

Thanks everyone for the replies!

nutella66 wrote:Thanks everyone for the replies!

And . . . ???

...and...

I just got back from the vet. And placed him under a tree. And now I can't stop crying. I didn't actually went inside the vet, just waited outside in the car and had a family member take him in. I just couldn't do it. I just hope the gas (so I was told) was quick and painless. I was told that's what they use which just makes him fall asleep.

He was just getting worse very quickly. He could not support himself standing and had to use his beak to grab a hold of something in order to stand and not roll over.

Years ago I had another budgie who died from egg binding. After that, I never wanted to have another one because it was just too difficult to bear. then a few decades later I ended up getting one yet again. And now we're back to square one.

But, I guess, that's life. Again, thanks for the feedback folks, and have a great holiday season!


I'll save that for later.

Now your baby rests easy on the other side of "Rainbow Bridge" you had done everything a good companion could do and now it's time for God to share in your kindness. Your baby has lived a most wonderful life. I will continue to pray so you can find the comfort you done all you could and the peace that comes from this ordeal being over.

Dutch

I'm very sorry. Many of my babies are aging fast. Two left me in the last few months, so I know your heart is hurting. Thank goodness you were willing to help him along when he needed you the most. Quite a loving holiday gift you gave him.

Healing light around you, Paca

Gosh what a sad story. I'm sorry you had to put your little budgie to sleep