My gorgeous poor little boy Beaky is very unwell at the moment He has a daft habit of jumping from heights; he has done it loads of times and not hurt himself at all but he jumped yesterday (only from about waist height), landed on his back and couldn't get up. Since then, he's been in a terrible state with hardly any strength at all. He spends most of his time just laying down. I immediately separated him from his buddy and put him in a small cage with a soft floor and just some food and water in. I gave him a millet spray to try and tempt him to eat as it's his favourite food.

 

I took him to the vet at the first opportunity today and the vet said that he definitely had a good chance of pulling through. There is nothing broken and he can still just about move all of his limbs but as I said, he's very weak. The vet thinks he has bruised his back which is obviously very painful and gave him a steroid injection which should reduce the inflammation and will last for two days and suggested keeping a very close eye on him, obviously making sure he eats.

 

He won't eat on his own but if I hold a millet spray up to his face, he will eat it, he had a good feast on that for about 10 minutes earlier, which I hope is a good sign. How often do I need to feed him? Will he be okay left overnight or should I get up during the night and feed him? I am also concerned about him drinking, I have tried to get him to drink droplets of water off my fingers but he won't.

 

His buddy, Tammy also seems upset. The two of them are normally good playmates and make a lot of noise but I haven't had a peep out of Tammy since Beaky has been taken ill. Obviously, she misses him.

 

I'm just really worried about the poor thing, it breaks my heart seeing him in such a state. He's just laying there looking glum with his eyes half shut, opening them when I call his name or when I move. I just want him to be back to his normal self, causing mischief and making a lot of noise! I really hope he will be better in the morning.

 

Still, I guess there are some morals here. Be careful if you have a bird that can't/won't fly! I hope Beaky has learned his lesson now but I am not risking it, he's not going anywhere loose except for on the floor from now on. Also, don't take your budgies for granted, you never know when something unexpected will happen

((hugs))

keep him warm, calm and continue to feed him anything he will eat at this point along with offer water on some lettuce leaves.

 

Keep us updated.

Poor Beaky, I hope he makes out okay. I too, have budgie that can't fly (Monty) and occasionally he takes a tumble onto the floor from his cage when he is out so that's why his cage is placed on a carpetted area. I wouldn't worry about feeding Beaky during the night as they don't normally eat then, he needs to rest, do he and Tammy normally feed each other? Maybe she could be let in to visit him for a little bit. If he likes greens you might consider putting some romaine lettuce next to him so he can get some moisture from that. Otherwise maybe put some little containers (i.e. small plastic tops from jars) close to him with seed and water. Hang in there Beaky and best wishes for a speedy recovery! And don't blame yourself, accidents do happen and you shall have to be extra vigilante when he is on the floor.

Thanks for your replies folks. Beaky doesn't really seem much better this morning although I just managed to get him to drink some water - when I turned my back, he was actually drinking out of the bottle top I provided water in! He isn't eating much this morning, he had a couple of nibbles but that's about it.

 

Unfortunately, I have to go to work today but I will come home at lunchtime to check up on Beaky and make sure he eats something so I won't be out for more than 4 hours at a time. I have set up a webcam so that I can keep an eye on him at work. Have a look if you like - http://garyreggae.ww.com Be warned though, it only updates every 20 seconds or though so you won't necesarrily see a lot of movement.

 

I did try putting Tammy in his cage for a visit but she just ate some of his millet and pecked Beaky's head in an unfriendly looking way so I took her straight out again.

Edited September 5, 200618 yr by Gary

Hi, I hope Beaky gets better soon and pulls through this. I know what it is like to give a bird food and water, as my busby has just been ill with his left claw being curled up and unable to straighten it.

 

I had to re-alter his cage, give him water by hand as he would not go to it on his own for a few days. But he pulled through and is happy enough. Just be there for the Beaky, as Buzby suprised me the way he fought to pull himself through his condition, and i'm sure Beaky will too.

 

Anthony

Edited September 5, 200618 yr by acharris

Thanks Anthony!

 

Beaky seems a little better today, he is definitely more active and can almost stand up now. He will sometimes eat himself although I am still feeding him every few hours to make sure he does eat and drink. Hopefully he'll be better soon, he does seem to be on the mend

Im so glad Beaky is feeling a little better - I checked out your webcame a few times yesteday to see how the little guy was getting along.

I hope Beaky is feeling ever so much better, tried to view the webcam but it was turned off.

Great idea with the webcam!! Just checked on him and he's munching his millet!!! Hope the wee guy makes a speedy recovery!

I looked in on Beaky a couple of times yesterday and he was on different sides of cage each time. Looks like he is doing well, he was chewing on paper the second time, maybe you can give him a cuttlebone for a really good chew. Good Boy Beaky! :budgiedance:

It's been a few days now since you have reported back, how is Beaky doing? :ausb: