Hi, Just in case some people don't know about my previous postings the gist of what's gone on is, budgie is 4 yrs old, has enlarged liver with associated problems.. ongoing since we had him as a youngster. He's chirpy and well in himself but is on and off antibiotics for dropping problem etc etc.

 

With the liver his beak and claws grow really quickly and this is where at the moment I need the help. Periodically we have the vet cut his beak, took him today but the vet cut it so it bled.. the beak is very very short now. Vet stopped the bleeding, but it began again when we got home and budgie touching things in cage... took him as emergency to our local vet (our avian vet who cut his beak lives a distance). The local vet used a caustic stick on the beak and said all was well......... said he would be able to eat etc etc.

 

Two hours later budgie scratching himself, beak bleeding again, tho not profusely......... PLEASE... what can I do? I bought a caustic stick from the vet but it really looks as tho this is going to happen for a while, I have to say it's not bleeding profusely but enough to make a blob on his beak and drop onto his feathers. I am at my wits end re this now and soooo upset..... is the budgie going to be able to eat now do you think? Is the bleeding going to need more treatment?

 

I am sorry to ask all these questions, but I really am upset by this.... would it be possible someone could get back to me asap please, I would appreciate it so much.

 

Thank you for your help. .. I really need some feedback. Thank you again.

 

Chrissie

I don't know much about this but my common sense of the situtation. When you cut a dog's nail too short it may continue to bleed a little bit but it will finally stop and in a day it will look better and better.

 

Though you may not like the blob of blood it must happen I believe so it can scab over. I would continue to use the stick and watch for any sign of infection (yellowish, greenish discharge etc...) I would think if it is not bleeding profusely that it will heal if you leave it and let nature take its course. In a day you will see improvement and if you don't call the vet back.

 

Have you called the vet back and asked what do to?

You can use cornstarch to stop the bleeding if you don't have anything else.

You could make an elizabethian collar to stop him scratching his beak.

Hi, an update on my budgie Percy. Took him back to the vet last night and he kept him in until 3 p m today. He has "heat sealed" his beak to stop it bleeding. Says that due to the liver condition, clotting factors don't work well... Percy has been chirpy since we brought him home but of course his beak is too short. Vet said to give him soft food for a few days but I don't really know what to give that he would eat. Is there anyone who could possibly tell me what I can give that is soft and bugies can eat please? I would be so grateful for any help, he is in a sorry state. Thanks for the advice re infection, hopefully he will escape but not going to be complacent about it. I appreciate all your help, thank you so much.

 

Chrissie

will he eat fruits or veggies? That is the key because you can use soft fruits and veggies or you can soak his seed in water to soften it up. Does he like millet another thing you can use - soften it with water though it is not super nutritional it will keep him from starving. Did your vet have any suggestions?

Try some egg & biscuit mixed with a bit of water - that is very soft, or even some mutigrain bread soaked in water... ask Bubbles her budgies love it..... I should be okay for the short term.

Hi everyone, thank you again for your most valued help. Lovey, he eats a little fruit at times but not much, is having a little peck at some nectarine at the moment - at least he's eating. Is having a little seed too, but not much. I boiled an egg and mashed it to pulp with a little soaked brown bread and he tucked into that a little too (so glad, I can't tell you). Reibie, thanks for that, will try some bread again soaked in water, wholegrain bread I mean. Also this morning because I didn't know how much he'd eaten I mashed up some cornflakes in semi skimmed milk and he ate some of that too.. Once again he is bouncing back, this little boy has been through the mill I can tell you but he tries to be chirpy whatever happens.

 

One thing at the moment, with his liver condition he is scratching like mad, it's terrible to see, esp his vent. I wonder if anyone knows anything about Thistle milk which I've heard is for liver conditions, and if you have, do you know where I can get it please? I need to do something about his scratching, poor soul what with the beak and the scratching I just wonder why he doesn't give up... ugh.

 

Thanks again guys and gals, you really do help out and especially in a time of need. Thank you SO much.

 

Chrissie x

aww hugs he doesn't give up because he knows you love him so much.

Have you tried your local health food stores or looked on-line for thistlemilk? That is where I would start first.

 

Keep us updated.

aww hugs he doesn't give up because he knows you love him so much.

Have you tried your local health food stores or looked on-line for thistlemilk? That is where I would start first.

 

Keep us updated.

 

Hi Lovey, thanks again for your support. Percy is bucking up.. he really is a tough cookie thank goodness. He is eating a bit more today. I am hoping to find out more about thistle milk and if that will help him, someone emailed me about it today so looking into it. Just wondering have I mentioned the AXI soothing spray the vet recommended for the skin irritation? I got that but not used it yet as I know the scratching business is because of his liver. Anyway I'm continuing to try and find out more and get something positive into him for his liver condition. Thanks for you help and I will get back to you when I can.

 

take care

Chrissie x

Hi again, Percy has begun to pick up in himself and is eating better than he was. However, he is sleeping an awful lot which worries me now. I know the trauma to his week was only five days ago, but I just don't know why he is sleeping so much. I feel sure it could be to do with his liver problem as he did sleep more than other budgies but it seems to have increased now. I still haven't found out about using milk thistle, my avian vet said he would find out for me.. so will have to ring him. Thanks again for your interested in Percy and any further ideas/help would be appreciated.

 

Many thanks.

 

Chrissie x

that is good to hear about Percy. Is he on any medication that could make him sleepy?

You should be able to get milk thistle from your vet. It is a liquid, you will have to give it in a syringe. It has healing properties for the liver, and if your bird can tolerate it (most do) might help. Have you had luck feeding softer foods? I would think fruits would sting the raw place on the beak where it was cut too short... If you haven't already, rinse well and soak some of his seed for about 24 hours in a strainer. There should be little "tails" appearing on the seeds then. Rinse well again, and feed. If your mix has any colored seeds, try to remove those first because the dye will come off in the water if you soak those. You can also cook up some brown rice or couscous (without the butter) and chop up some cooked carrots into small pieces to mix. He might eat that.

You should be able to get milk thistle from your vet. It is a liquid, you will have to give it in a syringe. It has healing properties for the liver, and if your bird can tolerate it (most do) might help. Have you had luck feeding softer foods? I would think fruits would sting the raw place on the beak where it was cut too short... If you haven't already, rinse well and soak some of his seed for about 24 hours in a strainer. There should be little "tails" appearing on the seeds then. Rinse well again, and feed. If your mix has any colored seeds, try to remove those first because the dye will come off in the water if you soak those. You can also cook up some brown rice or couscous (without the butter) and chop up some cooked carrots into small pieces to mix. He might eat that.

 

Hi Rainbow, many thanks for your input. My vet hasn't got the milk thistle he said to buy it from Holland and Barrett, but I know that's only for humans and I should be able to get it for animals. I am going to put up a new thread asking if anyone knows where I can buy it.... just in case they know of a place on the internet.

 

Percy is much better at the moment, though still scratching his vent (as has always been the case and which I think is the caused by the dropping problems he's had since 6 wks of age). I've got a spray from the vet for that... AVi X or something like that... don't like to use too much so only use it if he scratches a lot. Percy did start to eat the softer foods thanks, never tried the sprouting seeds, I've read somewhere you have to be careful because of them going bad.... so never done it. I think his chronic liver condition makes him go down from time to time, but of course he could well have done without the vet butchering his poor little beak. He's a tough soldier though is Percy, comes bouncing back each time with all the trauma he goes through.... all I have to do now to keep him going for a while to come, is the milk thistle. Vet told me to give it to him in his water... I'm not sure he actually knows about it....will have to see when I get some.

 

Thanks to everyone for their help and advice, you are brilliant, I don't know where I would be without this site. Thanks guys (unisex meaning).

 

Chrissie x

Ohhh Chrissy ((Hugs)) I hope he gets better soon! With someone as loving and caring as you looking out for him he is sure to have the best chance possible...