[HernameisDragon]

Hi friends,

My 12 year old son has a 4 year old green budgie named Dragon. Friday I found her huddled in the bottom of her cage, fluffed up, movements clumsy, and not acting well. I took her to the vet, who said she doesn't have symptoms of an infection, but believes she may have a chronic disease that she has been able to hide well. Shes a little underweight, and he didn't like how her sternum protruded when he examined her. He gave her a vitamin K (?) shot, and recommended to keep a heat source near/in the cage, food/water of course, and hope for the best but prepare for the worst. We placed a soft towel in the bottom of the cage along with a warm water bag, and a 65 watt dim coat (bug) light hanging on her cage, and covered the cage with towels. We offered millet spray and a honey stick to help boost her appetite. She ate up the millet spray, but has shown no interest in the honey stick. By Friday evening she was doing considerably better. She was back up on her perch and made her way next to the light bulb. She didn't look nearly as fluffed. She stayed on her perch yesterday and kept near the bulb. We positioned some millet spray next to her and she's eaten most of it.
This morning she was back in the bottom of the cage, moving around clumsily again, fluffed up. We heated the water bottle and put her next to it, and covered her partially with the towel. She ate a little millet spray, but isn't doing well. I don't know whether shes had anything to drink this morning. We changed out her water and have it and the millet spray next to her. Should we add anything to her water? I bought some vitamin drops and we added the recommended amount per oz. I was reading somewhere that adding honey or gatorade might help, with frequent changing?

What else can we do? Has anyone had a similar condition with their bird, and have you been able to nurse them back to health? Do we force fluids with a dropper, or will that be too stressful for her condition?

My son is so distraught. I really don't want him to lose her .

TIA for any advice/suggestions

Natalie

 

[S1m0n]

Hi sorry to hear your budgie is not well. Was it a registered Avian vet you went to? This is very important as ordinary vets usually know very little about birds. I'm sure someone more experienced than me will reply soon and help you further.

Sent from my M2 using Tapatalk

 

[aluz]

Welcome to the forums,

I'm very sorry your budgie hasn't been doing well. Besides the vitamin shot and the palpation, was your budgie tested as in droppings analysed, blood taken, etc?
If the vet wasn't specialized in birds, then it would be best to get the professional help from an avian vet specialist.

To get some fluids and a little boost on your budgie, you can soak millet spray on electrolyte solution.
This link should be helpful: http://talkbudgies.com/your-budgies-health/295617-guardian-angel-pedialyte-pedialyte-recipe.html

I hope you will soon have the answers and the right treatment plan for your budgie. I'm wishing Dragon a steady and full recovery.

 

[FaeryBee]

It is important to see an Avian Vet when dealing with a sick budgie.

Avian Vets have special training to determine the cause of symptoms resulting from illness or trauma. This is important as "regular" vets will often overlook symptoms that are quickly obvious to an Avian Vet.
When you rely on anyone who has not had training in Avian diagnosis and care, you may be delaying effective treatment. This can prolong suffering that may be avoidable.
The bird will often require a more intense, prolonged treatment with a poorer chance of full recovery than it would have if you seek prompt professional diagnosis and treatment at the first sign of illness.

Distinction between an Avian Vet and a Vet that "Will See Birds"

Using the Guardian Angel or electrolyte solution aluz recomended may help stimulate Dragon's appetite. I would strongly recommend you take her to an Avian Vet as quickly as possible, however.
She may need to be given fluids by the vet and/or to be hospitalized.

http://talkbudgies.com/articles-general-budgie-info/340410-avian-physical-examination.html

Sending lots of positive thoughts and healing energy for little Dragon.
Please be sure to update us on her condition.

 

[StarlingWings]

Hi Natalie and :welcome: to the forums!

I'm sorry to hear that little Dragon is so sick. You're doing great in keeping her warm and comfortable, and the Guardian Angel recipe posted above will help to keep her appetite and blood sugar constant.

However, there's really nothing you can do for her now with her at home--it's essential that she sees an avian vet as soon as possible so she can be diagnosed and treated A.S.A.P. :upset:

You've been given great advice and I hope that you're able to get her into a vet soon! :fingerx:

Please keep us posted on her condition, I hope she pulls through.

Tell your son for me that he has to stay strong for her--if she senses his anxiety, it will only make her feel worse. If he sits next to her and reads or talks to her quietly, she may feel better.

Best wishes! :wave:

 

[HernameisDragon]

Unfortunately Dragon passed away yesterday :'(. My son was with her when she died. He's pretty devastated by it, staying home from school today.
The vet we saw was experienced with birds. He did not want to do blood work because of the condition she was in, and worried the stress would kill her. I trust this vet and did feel that he was very thorough with his examination.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions, I had subscribed to the post but did not receive any email notifications. I thought I hadn't gotten replies, until checking the site just now, and now I'm regretting not checking directly yesterday . I don't know that we could have done anything more to turn her around as she went downhill so fast, but wish we could have tried your ideas.

We are so very sad. She was my sons bird, but she was a family bird as well. She socialized with all of us and we will miss her.

 

[aluz]

I'm so sorry your Dragon didn't make it...you and your son have my deepest sympathies.

Please try to not blame yourself, you did your very best for Dragon.
May time heal the pain left from her departure and the memories of the good times you had with her give you comfort.

If you would like to write a little memorial for Dragon you can use the section on this link: In Memory - Talk Budgies Forums

I'm closing and moving your thread to the Follow-up Center section.