|
Post by Billie on May 13, 2008 17:44:44 GMT
Hello Everyone I apologise for my absence from the board but my computer died and its being difficult to get back on line. Please help me, you remember my pied budgie Sky well she has to have her beak trimmed every four weeks as it over grows, her claws are nearly always done at the same time. As a result she gets a lot of attention, I keep an eye on her to see when these things need doing. Well she last went to the vet on May the 1st, as I picked her up she appeared to have a small bulge between her legs, but wasn't fretting about it so I thought she was fine. Well I've obviously kept a close eye on her and today it seems bigger. I have taken a couple of pictures I have never had a bird lay and egg so don't know if they go through a pregnant podgie stage before they lay??? Tiny and Minty have both been feeding her and although she will raise her tail for Minty they have not actually 'done' anything (as far as I know). I am worried as she has got runny poop, she is eating and drinking normally, has been quite sleepy, but not in a looking miserable way. I can't afford another trip to the vet but if she must go then she must. I don't want to handle her too much if it is an egg in case it breaks inside her!!! Please help
|
|
|
Post by Liz on May 13, 2008 21:39:19 GMT
Hey Billie, some thoughts... I'm disinclined to think that the problem is egg binding. Firstly, she would be acting VERY miserable, especially since she doesn't have a box to hide in. Secondly, egg bound birds deteriorate quickly, and you say she hasn't been normal for over a week. The hens do get a little podgy right before they lay an egg, but again, it doesn't usually stick around so long. Still, if you pick her up gently and feel the area around her vent, you can feel the egg if it is there. I could be totally wrong. If it is spongy, it may be some kind of internal organ problem, which would explain the runny poop and her lack of energy. (Also, if she was egg bound, she probably wouldn't be able to poo at all.) Another possiblity is a tumor, but it is hard to tell. If it is a tumor, it could be a problem related to her fast beak growth. Sometimes a tumor (even before it becomes visible) can affect organs which in turn affect the growth of the beak and nails. It might just be a fatty tumor, too, budgies are prone to those. I can't tell, but those are some possiblities. If you want to read more about tumors and cysts in birds and their causes this is a good (albeit long) article- www3.sympatico.ca/davehansen/tumor.htmlHope this helps, I know it isn't a very cheery post.
|
|
|
Post by Berserka on May 14, 2008 3:24:17 GMT
Poor Sky! I cannot offer anything over the excellent advice Liz has given. I'll keep my fingers crossed for her (except when I type).
|
|
|
Post by Billie on May 14, 2008 11:01:39 GMT
Hi Budgie Buddy It's funny you should post mentioning a tumor, I made the connection to beak growth myself this morning. My previous budgie Taz had a tumour on his chest and since that his beak grew like a weed too. She doesn't seem in destress and is due to the vet again the week after next, since she is behaving normally I'll not stress her by an extra trip, but will get her checked when she next goes. My poor Sky she is so young she is only 2 in June!!! She is such a character, I don't know what her brother Minty will do if she goes they are like siamese twins where you see one the other isn't far behind. Even if it isn't good news thanks for posting, I appreciate the quick reply so I know what to do next. If she is in no discomfort I won't do anything, but will keep a close eye on her. The vet's can't do anything for tumors, I was just worried in case I needed to jump fast for egg binding. It feels more like what Taz's tumour felt like, she would be laying something the size of a quails egg if it was an egg. Think of my baby and hope she is ok Thanks Billie xx
|
|
|
Post by battybirdie on May 14, 2008 12:46:20 GMT
Hi Billie Sorry to hear about Sky - how's she doing? I had an almost identical problem with one of my budgies, Mr Tickles, at the end of last year. The lump was in exactly the same position between the legs and my concern was that it would end up putting pressure on his nerves. Like Sky, Mr Tickles was a bit off colour although I wouldn't have said he was hanging off his perch, just not himself. I'm not sure where you are in the UK, but I am very lucky to have an extraordinary avain vet only 40 miles from where I live. This gentleman successfully operated on the Tickle monster and removed the lump. After biopsy it showed to be a benign fatty tumour, and although he is likely to get more at some point he is back to being his old grumpy selft again - lol! The vet that treated Mr Tickles said that he used a new method of operating that significantly reduced the risk of bleeding, and while no surgery is safe for birds it definitely made it easier than it might otherwise have been. Mr Tickles came through the surgery brilliantly well, and within 2 days the only sign that he'd been poorly were the stitches in his bottom! These disolved themselves after a couple of months, and you'd never know that there was anything wrong with him The only downside to this surgery was the cost (my birds aren't insured), which came out to just over £200. Best of luck with Sky, and let me know if you would like me to send you the number of the vet. Hugs from the Batties
|
|
|
Post by Liz on May 14, 2008 15:48:46 GMT
I hope Sky stays nice and comfy. You're in my thoughts Billie, vet decisions are tough.
|
|
|
Post by Billie on May 21, 2008 11:50:38 GMT
Hi Thanks for thinking of us, no new news on Sky she is going to the vets next week and I will let you know the result of that. Sky is still in good spirits although not quite so happy as she has joined the rest of them in moulting. The floor is now almost constantly white! Bless em. I wonder if you can buy extractor fans for under bird cages, I bet they would sell well love n hugs Billie
|
|
|
Post by Berserka on May 22, 2008 3:28:15 GMT
Extractor fans? LOL think you've found your business venture billie! Best of luck with Sky, I will be thinking of her.
|
|
|
Post by Billie on May 29, 2008 11:03:41 GMT
Hi All Good News! Sky went to the vet this morning to have her beak trimmed. They had a good look at her and say there is no sign of any lump at all. She does have a bit of a bald patch, and this was emphasised by the feathers growing back and sticking out around it. But no skin infection so no idea why the patch is there, but feathers are returning. so Crack open the booze and party Go Sky you little star. Thank you everyone for your kind words and for thinking of her. Billie xx
|
|
|
Post by Liz on May 30, 2008 18:37:43 GMT
Glad to hear Sky is doing well! A bald patch sounds a bit odd, but I'm very relieved that it isn't anything more serious and the feathers are growing back. Here's hoping your flock stays healthy for a good long time!
|
|