I took Pippin to the vets last night as the wetness over his cere had returned. I noticed the night before when he landed on me that he was lifting his left foot up and was putting all his weight on his right. It was still the same when I came home from work last night and he didnt look as if he could grip his perch with it. I bundled him in to his travel cage and went to the avian vets for the appointment.

 

The vet had a good look at it and said it could be a pulled muscle or infection. He also said that if there was no improvement by next week he would xray him as it could be an enlarged kidney or a testiclular tumour. I am out of my mind now with the worry of it (the vet gave me more antibiotic for the cere). I know I should be thinking positive but the fact that these things were mentioned makes me think on the black side.

 

I'm sick to my stomach with the worry of it. I just wondered if anyone had experienced anything similar that had a good outcome.

 

I cant bear the thought I might lose him, I love that little bird so much, he's such a little character and is a brilliant little talker.

 

Any ideas ????

((hugs)) sorry to hear about everything

will keep you both in my thoughts

If the vet was really worried about either of them he would have done the xray there and then. I think he was just warning you of the possibilities.

 

Fingers cross he get better soon.

I agree with Nerwen, if the vet didn't have any urgency in giving an x-ray, that's good. I know how I feel when any of mine get sick (and people don't understand), try and keep calm, monitor the situation and if he gets worse, take him back immediately rather than wait for the followup visit. May Pippin have a speedy recovery, he sounds like quite the character!

keep us updated on Pippin

Thanks everyone for your support. Unless you have had a budgie and know what amazing personalities they have, its easy for people to dismiss your feelings (how many times do you hear 'it's only a budgie').

 

I checked Pippin when I got in from work tonight and there doesn't seem to be any improvement. He is still eating and drinking and still chattering away as normal, it's just his little foot that he is either holding up against him or it's flat on the perch with no grip.

 

If he shows any signs of deteriorating before Tuesday (he has an appointment at 1:20pm) I will take him back to the vets immediately. I'm just hoping that my little man isn't suffering.

 

Will keep you updated.

I'm sorry to hear that your little guy isn't improving yet.

 

I'm not sure if I have anything really reassuring to add, other than try to find comfort in knowing you're providing the best care you can for Pippin. I will be honest in what I do have to say though.

 

It is common for budgies to get kidney and testicular tumors, which affect their hind limb functions. I'm not sure of any of the mechanics of it, but my guess would be that the mass might press on nerves and blood vessels to the legs, which would impair the way they work. My vet hasn't told me any of the specifics surrounding them (like he has with respiratory infections), so I could be way off. He did tell me that there's not much that can be done for them though, as they're basically too small to operate on.

 

If Pippin is suffering, he'll do his best not to show it until its really bad. Even though its very difficult, maybe you can feel a little better knowing he's not hurting so much that he IS showing it. I'm not sure if there's any way you make him feel more comfortable. Perhaps putting a little bit of padding on a perch or two might give him a little comfort when he does decide to rest his bad foot on the perch. Be careful not to add so much padding that he can't get his good foot around it. A soft towel works well, and I think a number of people here have padded a little ladder and laid it horizontally across the cage as something soft to stand on (as opposed to have to wrap the entire foot around to perch on). Putting some padding on the floor of the cage would be wise too, in case he falls. I'd also leave a regular perch for him to go to if he prefers.

 

Good luck - you're in my thoughts and I hope he feels better soon!

Sorry that your little one does not seem to be improving much, hopefully he will respnd soon. I agree, people don't sympathize when you have an ill bird but they were all concerned when I had a dog.

I've taken some of your advice and put a towel in the bottom of his cage and moved his branches lower down nearer to his food and water so he doesn't have as far to go to eat and drink.

 

The foot doesnt seem as floppy today, but I think I'm trying to kid myself that its not what I think it is as he was lay down on his perch this morning when I uncovered him.

 

He is still chirping away and eating, although he isnt as active and is quite happy to sit on my shoulder and give his mum kisses.

 

Will keep you updated.

my budgie, Cwirek, seems to be having exactly the same problem as your Pippin had. He behaves quite normally, chatters and plays with his toys but holds one foot in the air most of the time. Unfortunately the best bird-vet in Warsaw is abroad right now. I took Cwirek to another one three days ago and he told us it was probably an inflammation of the knee, or something. We are to mix aspirin into his water. But its already half of the week and he doesn't seem to be better could you tell me how it turned out with Pippin? I hope he is okay...

 

I've already written a message to you, but maybe you will see the post faster.

 

If anyone else could offer any advice I would also be extremely grateful.

 

in case you prefer to answer via e-mail, my adress is: martakolos@orange.pl

If your budgie is not improving within a 48 hour period I suggest actually both of you to take him back asap. Knowing how fast they can go. Pretty showed no signs was sick in the afternoon gone by evening that quick.

 

If it is an enlarged liver there are meds and diet improvements that can help. Inflammation of the knee? Did he take x-rays or anything that is the key to finding out the underlying cause.

 

What I noticed in my 2 visits 1 was avian one was not was that non-avian vets are guessing they simply just don't have the background. Our avian vet was very specific and even gave us a sheet that blood tests and x-rays are the true way to find out what is really wrong with a bird.

 

So I suggest trying to get in with an avian vet no matter what. I wish they were open when Pretty got sick but they were not, Merlin was exammed by an avian vet the next day and the difference was incredible along with the knowledge.

Thanks for the advice. The only thing is that it might be impossible for me to find an avian vet who works during the weekend... There are only about four in Warsaw, the best one is abroad and the others work just one or two days a week. The vet I took him to (theoretically a bird specialist) was actually rather irritating, if we hadn't insisted, he wouldn't even have told us what he suspected was wrong. He did not take an x-ray, just examined the leg and said the knee-joint was stiff. I'm starting to wonder whethther he knew what he was doing...

as mentioned above it could be an enlargement of the liver or another internal organ which is pressing on the nerve in the leg and the only way to find that out is x-ray because unlike us or dogs the keel bone that the birds have covers all the interal organs so they can't press to see if there is enlargement. Blood tests will also reveal inflammation of the liver and internal organs.

 

Keep him warm like 75+ over the weekend and comfortable if you don't find that he is getting worse then he may be okay till Monday. Also keep an eye on his poos that is a sign of internal issues but it could be stress too since the foot hurts.

thank you very much. you are more helpful than most of the vets I tried to call I'll do some research during the weekend and I hope to find some real expert to examine him on Monday. I've just got two more questions:

-to do an x-ray he would have to be anaesthetized, right? Wouldn't it be dangerous for such a little animal?

-as to keeping him warm, should i put a lamp near the cage?

 

Cwirek sends you a kiss

Hi. I have replied to your message, but on the chance you haven't read it.

 

Pippin is doing fine now, he is back to normal with his leg. He has been on antibiotics and went back to the vets again last night for a further check up. The vet was pleased with the outcome and believed that Pippin had had a kidney infection causing the kidney to swell and therefore pressing on the nerves in his leg. As like humans we have a strong side and a weak side, ie if you are right handed thats your stronger side etc. Therefore the swollen kidney affected the weaker limb. Pippin has always from being a baby gripped harder with his right leg.

 

I would strongly recommend searching out another avian vet. If he does need medication, the sooner he starts on the treatment the better. I could see a difference with Pippin within a couple of days of him starting his treatment.

 

Keep us updated on your little one.

thank you sooo much for your answer! I didn't notice your message before. I'm glad to know Pippin (really cute name!) is fine as his case looks just the same. I've spent the whole day looking for a good avian vet today and maybe it will be possible for one to examine him tomorrow. Cwirek doesn't seem to be much better but at least he isn't getting worse, he is still cheerful. I guess the aspirin isn't enough... (although the vet I called today said it couldn't do any harm, which I hope is true)

x-rays no they wouldn't be - and blood work they usually cut a toenail and then blot it up quicky they don't need much

I've been to a marvellous avian vet today, a real dr dolittle :budgiedance: Cwiek's got an antibiotic for a week, and in two weeks everything should get back to normal. If it won't improve he'll get an x-ray, but it looks quite optimistic for the time being. Thanks for the help everybody and hold your fingers crossed

excellent keep us updated

Things are sounding MUCH better now and Cwieck is under good care. Just like people doctors there are good doctors and not so good doctors.