The male budgie is about 16 months old and just last week (5 march 2008) recieved tramua to its neck, mainly on the left side, it got trapped by a door as it was being closed and fell about 5 feet to the floor. He has been to the vet who said because her was still attempting to walk and move its wings and trying to climb out of its box he was relucant to put it down. The wound on its neck was bleeding at the time but it does look like its healing quite well and feather are growing back, though the vet said there may be nerve or internal damage.

 

However the bird is still not able to fly and it very unsteady on its feet and keeps falling over, he can move his head though not all the way round like before. He can perch on my finger so it looks like he can grip, he does attempt to flap his wings, though probably still weak to actually fly. He seems to be eating and drinking okay and we are giving him antibiotics to fight any infections. When he is not moving about he sits in the corner of the bottom of his cage (I've removed all his perches for now as when it first happened he tried to get back on then fell off) with his head down and seems to be asleep alot. He does still try to get out of his cage by trying to grip the bars with his beak, but doesn't look like he has the strength to pull himself up. He does not make much sound as he did before but there is a very low churp when you go to pick him up (never did like begin picked up),b ut its how he gets the antibiotics.

 

The things is don't want the poor thing to keep suffering and not sure how long I should give it before talking him to the vets, but at the same time I would rather not have him put to sleep if there is a fighting chance.

 

Anyone got some advice please?

Hi,

 

Without actually seeing the bird and watching it I really wouldn't want to say. It may regain strength and normal movement, but it may not too! Does it seems to be improving at all. Maybe put a low perch in and see if it can perch again.

 

As you said, it would be horrible if it was in pain and suffering, but via the internet I would hate to make a judgement either way.

 

 

Feathers.

It takes a while for trauma to heal so I would give it a good 2 months before you make an accurate decision (unless of course you see that the bird goes down hill or you see that the bird is in pain).

 

There are a lot of things you can do to adjust his cage life and make it more comfortable for him to get around so he is not stressing and trying to fly. You already have by removing the perches. I would also keep the cage in a very warm place at least around 72F plus because his immune system may be low and it will help keep him from getting a respiratory infection along with adding extra vitamins to his diet.

 

During recovery I would keep him in a small cage where it limits his attempts to fly at the moment let the nerves, muscles in his neck recovery by keeping him quiet.

 

Keeping perches in the cage but very low so if he wants to he can perch if not that is okay. Also keeping the food and water low and maybe even sprinkling the seed on the ground so he can eat that way vs trying to balance himself on a food dish which can be difficult due to his balance issues.

 

Animals are resistent is is amazing what they can go through and how fast they can recovery when humans (like you who care enough) to give them all they need to be comfortable during their recovery time.

 

I see feathers is on here too so I know she will probably say similar things and even add more. Good on you for taking the bird to the vet and caring so much. I believe with patience and time to heal this bird does have a chance.

Its difficult to say if he is or is not improving, I'm far from being any type of expert. He does move around, though like I said very unsteady on his feet, he does lift his head more and tries to look/or get out of his cage. There is a plastic type tray around the bottom of the cage about 4 inches high before you get to the bars.

 

I've spinkled some of his food and grit around the bottom of his cage and added a small towel to help with warmth. the cage is quite near a radiator and is covered all the way round with a blanket apart from the front to keep at much draught out as possible.

 

I will try and put a low perch in somehow or something he can stand on. Is there any foods, vitiams, etc that may help recover strength.

 

Thanks for your fast replies

What you are doing is great. You just need to keep an eye on him. Having the blanket over the cage will help.

 

 

Feathers.

It is debatable but because budgies do hull their seeds which means they take the covering off they don't necessary need grit. There has been studies showing that it can impact the crop if they get too much of it. It is your call but I personally do not give Merlin grit.

 

You are doing good, keep him warm, covered is excellent that keeps him from feeling like he needs to look around all the time so he can recover.

 

I put myself in the bird's position and think about how much recovery time it would take for us as a human if this happened to us just think when we pull a muscle it can take a week for the soreness to go away or if we have surgery it takes about 6 -8 wks to really start healing. The key is if you see improvements everyday that is important it is when you see the backward steps he should feel a little better everyday. He may never be perfect but end up being a "special needs" bird and that is okay as long as the quality of his life is pain free and happy. We do need to have patience and give them time to recovery.

 

You can buy liquid vitamins at your local pet store and either put it in the water or on the food as directed. You know he will eat the food as for water unless he drinks it he won't get it. If he likes veggies this is another source especially brocolli which is a good source of Vitamin A which many birds are deficient in and low Vitamin A causes upper respiratory infections which very often can kill the bird. With him being on antibiotics for infection that will most like cover this aspect but once he is done you will want his immune system to recover.

 

You are doing a great job, I am totally pulling for this little one.

Thanks guys for the advice, will keep you informed of his progress.

good luck mate...

you are doing a great job.

l hope your little one will get better soon.

Was an xray taken of the little one's neck ? If not the bird may well have a broken bone in its neck and dealing with more than a superficial wound.

excellent point Kaz

excellent point Kaz

Thats what it sounds like to me.

No an X-ray was not taken. He seems to be moving his head fine at the minute, can stretch up/down and turn it from side to side, though not all the way round to reach his back like he used to, I just put that down to the visible wound on his neck, which is healing nicely by the look of things, though you may be right could be something internal.

 

One thing I have noticed that he has started doing is that his wings have started vibrating for what of a better description. They don't flap or move away from his body, they just seem to vibrate for a few seconds and then stops. Doesn't seem to stop him eating or anything.

No an X-ray was not taken. He seems to be moving his head fine at the minute, can stretch up/down and turn it from side to side, though not all the way round to reach his back like he used to, I just put that down to the visible wound on his neck, which is healing nicely by the look of things, though you may be right could be something internal.

 

One thing I have noticed that he has started doing is that his wings have started vibrating for what of a better description. They don't flap or move away from his body, they just seem to vibrate for a few seconds and then stops. Doesn't seem to stop him eating or anything.

 

The vibration of his wings doesn't sound too good... mmm. Are you still keeping him warm and giving him vitamins as suggested? Watch him closely, perhaps another vet visit may be on the cards. See what the more experienced members have to say. Good Luck!

any photos at all. it may help the more experienced people on here if they can see what you are talking about

The vibration of his wings doesn't sound too good... mmm. Are you still keeping him warm and giving him vitamins as suggested? Watch him closely, perhaps another vet visit may be on the cards. See what the more experienced members have to say. Good Luck!

 

Yeah keeping him warm and he feels warm, cage is covered on sides and across the top, getting vitamins, will try and get some photos so you can see where he was hurt.

good stuff Trekmp. keep us updated. You sound like you are doing all the right things. If there looks to be no sign of improvement, and only u can judge that, go back to the vets

When he vibrates his wings is there anything at that point upsetting him or did he just try and get around and now he is trying to calm back down? When they vibrate their wings they do it out of fear or when they get really hot and they usually move their wings away from their bodies. Continue to do what you are doing if you find that he is getting worse instead of better I suggest another avian vet visit and ask for an x-ray as Kaz suggested to insure there is no internal injury.

I dont think there is anything upsetting him, apart from the fact he's confined to his cage at the minute, till he's better. He was used to being out most of the time. He's shouldn't be hot as the room is at the same temperature that it has been for a while now.

 

Could it be the fact that he may be healing and sensations are returning????

Sorry the images are not very clear, not the easiest thing in the world to take, when you've got a bird that refuses to sit still

 

The second one looks worse on the picture than it actually is, its healed a lot since the accident.

 

 

He has now started to sit on a little perch I made for him at the bottom of his cage and has made further attempts to fly. Still falling over when he tries to move to quickl, if he takes his time and moves slowly he's not to bad. Still vibrates his wings and has now on occassions flapped them.

Him flapping his wings sounds like an improvement. I guess it's just something that will take time, and if he's going to have some permanent 'disablilty', it will take him time to get used to what he now can and can't do. It sounds like you are looking after him very well. Keep it up, and if he looks to be going backwards...head off to the avian vet.

I'd like to thank everyone for their advice and it looks like it has paid off. He seems so much better now, to the point where I had him out the cage the other day, he was sitting on my knee when he just took off and flew briefly around the room, before landing (well it was more of a crash landing). He's now also climbing all the over the inside his cage, sitting back on his perch and is just wanting to be out.

 

Still not letting him out for to long though I dont want to run the risk of him agrivating his injury.

 

So thanks again.

That's good to hear, sounds like improvement and you are doing the right thing. Give it time and take it slow, keep watching and keep us updated

 

I had a thought about the tremors in the wings. It could be due to the trauma itself, but I notice that Milly does that sometimes, just before she launches into a massive bout of flapping madly while hanging onto the perch - her way of saying "Let me out! I wanna fly!" So perhaps it is a way of releasing some pent up energy.

Edited March 20, 200817 yr by Chrysocome

I think sometimes the tremors excited nervous energy because they do it when they are nervous too (Merlin did it at my MIL the first couple hours and then he was fine). I am glad everything is coming along and he is improving it is amazing how fast we can heal from an injury. Good on you taking the time with him he will appreciate it 1000x over.I think sometimes the tremors excited nervous energy because they do it when they are nervous too (Merlin did it at my MIL the first couple hours and then he was fine). I am glad everything is coming along and he is improving it is amazing how fast we can heal from an injury. Good on you taking the time with him he will appreciate it 1000x over.

Awsome news!!! I'm very happy for you.