Advice please!! Three days ago the cat got inside when the birds (two budgies) were loose. She got my female! Cat got kicked out and Diggy flew off. Had to catch her, so she flew all around until I got her. Inspected her and her wing seems punctured.
I just kind of watched her. Bleeding stopped immediately. She stayed out for a bit, then went into her cage. On the first day she stayed quiet and perched. On the second day she was on the ground and was all fluffed up. My male is taking care of her. Feeds her like a baby bird, lays next to her, and sings to her. I put a heat lamp over the cage. She climbed toward it and now (third day) is sitting on a box i had in there closest to the lamp and is still puffed up.
No avian vet near and can't afford a vet visit. I want to do whatever I can to help her survive! I read that cats are poisonous, either mouth puncture or claw. Could it be, since she has survived this long, that she will pull through??
Also, interesting point, I got her from a friend who rescued her from outside. Someone had let her outside and she was being attacked by crows. She survived that.. she's a tough little thing. She is also still afraid of humans, so just to catch her is stressful.
I know I should take her to a vet, but fear it's too late and I can't afford it. Please some help, not criticism.

I'm so sorry you had to go through this

The best thing you can possibly do in this scenario is to take her to the vet, even though we know you cannot afford it.

Puffing up on the ground is a CLEAR sign of illness.

If there is any possible way to bring her to a vet, please do

Sending prayer your way!

__________________

Welcome to talk budgies. Sorry to hear your little bird has been injured by a cat. You need to keep her warm, and quiet. The fact that the puncture wound did not bleed is bad, and there it is likely that she has an infection started. What does the injured area look like ? I understand you can't afford a vet but you cant just dismiss the notion of trying to get professional help or advice over the phone or online. Have you called the local vet and talked to them about anything they could possibly do ? If she has an infection her only hope is to get her medication...

__________________

A cat attack to your budgie is clearly very dangerous. As Mineofbudgies pointed out, the best course of action *is* a vet visit.
Is there anyway you can borrow? Will the vets let you pay in installments? Can you contact an online vet that can give you advice?
Some other members might be able to suggest some things you can do to help your budgie. Do you have a budgie first aid kit at all?

And please don't take this as criticism, but maybe get a little savings pot started up and just put a certain small amount in weekly/monthly in preparation for any other emergencies. I know from experience that if you have a cat that is sneaky around birds, they will continue to look for a way in. My cat used to do the same thing to wild birds.

I hope your budgie is okay.

__________________

Thank you all so much for your thoughts. I really appreciate all the suggestions. No worries Therm, it is a sound suggestion. The wound did bleed at first but stopped pretty quick. Now it just looks scabbed over.. I just checked on her and she is moving around the cage and just went into the food bowl to eat, whereas she hadn't for the first two days. I honestly didn't expect her to last this long, but since she seems to be fighting, I want fight for her too. I will see what I can put together, fund wise. In the mean time, should I put some antibiotic ointment on her, or will just trying to catch her hurt her more?

An antibiotic injection by a qualified Avian Vet is the best treatment for fighting infection of a cat bite.
Cat (and dog saliva) harbors bacteria which is very toxic to budgies.

Please take a look at this thread:
https://talkbudgies.com/follow-up-cen...-recovery.html

Unfortunately many budgies suffer attacks by cats when people choose to keep both in the same household.

__________________

Please get her to an avian vet and explain them that this is an emergency and maybe you can pay them when you can. She must be examined by a professional and have a proper diagnosis and treatment. I hope she'll be better soon!

__________________
budgies are friends for life

A systemic infection can be lethal for your bird. An antibiotic injection is what is needed to save her life. give her probiotics and electrolytes to help her immune system fight off the invading micro organisms. If she goes off her food presoak her millet spray with the combo of electrolyte and probiotics. If she will not eat the millet spray it is not a good sign. See your Avian vet ASAP. Start a little birdie savings acct for vet care and to purchase Items for a first aid kit. See stickies here on TB with what to contain in the first aid kit. Items like cornstarch are great to stop bleeding and other items are usually in the kitchen Purchase a food gram scale from windy city parrots or a kitchen dept of store like walmart. 20 dollars is a good deal and will clue you in if your birds start to loose weight before they show any other sign of illness. Welcome To the Forum. I hope you enjoy reading and joining in the great experiences our members have with their budgies. Best Wishes, Jo Ann

__________________

I'm sorry to say Diggy has passed away. Thank you so much everyone for your kind words and recommendations. I wish I had been able to immediately take her to the vet, but it is what it is. From now on, I will work on an ER fund. Thanks again all.

I am so very sorry that diggy died from your cat.... Next time if you decide to get another budgie you have to be responsible for the safety of your birds... Also that is a good idea to save on a ER fund... Welcome to talk Budgies everyone here is to help one another..

This is why I will not have a cat it is a cats nature to hunt and cats are so quick they catch your bird or anyone's bird who has cats in a half of a second then it's to late... I always say that cats and birds don't mix together...I know that Diggy was very much loved... Try not to be to hard on yourself... Poor little Diggy she is now up in heaven rest in peace sweet little one.....

__________________

INDIGO.