Hi there,

 

I have a 14yr old male budgie who has a large papilloma growth on his back. He managed to hide this from me apparently for a while (he is an aviary bird).

 

My dilemma is:

 

The nearest avian vet is over an hour away and the stress of the trip could kill him.

Every other local vet is too scared to surgically remove it cause they think it will kill him.

Auckland's rescue bird specialist says to treat him with olive oil (which kills wart-like growths apparently) because surgery will kill him. (she's not a vet, but most vets go to her for advice)

 

So I'm thinking, maybe no surgery. But I don't want him to waste away if the olive oil treatment doesn't help. He's looking a little sick right now, but still interested in the world.

 

Any suggestions?

I personally would not put a budgie through surgery at that age and not because he is a budgie but I didn't put my 14yr dog through surgery just last year because of the age.

 

I believe you give a bird (or any animal) a good life and when you feel they are suffering you make the decision to help them either by assisting in pain medication and/or making the tough decision of letting them pass peacefully (never easy decision to make).

I totally agree with Elly.....

Yeah, it must be said that at 14 the budgie has had a long life. Surgery (if successful) would probably prolong that life for a little while but the recovery will be slow, and the stress of anesthetic on a bird that age would, as you say, probably kill it. So I would suggest keeping him somewhere nice and warm, easy access to food and out of the cold New Zealand winter and letting him enjoy himself for a while longer. It may get to the point where he is in a bit of pain and you need to put him to sleep but when that time comes I am sure you will know

 

All the best with him!

Hi kilgh,

 

Elly and Hamish have put it in better words than I could have. And by the way, welcome to the forum. I'm sorry it's because of a sad reason :sadsorry:

 

Yeah, thanks everybody.

 

That's kind of what I was thinking too.

 

His name is Marble incidentally. He's at least 14. He was full-grown when I got him, so he could be older. He has fathered two clutches for me. He is a bit of a favourite because he is just the nicest guy and is a beautiful deep blue colour.

He was looking happy enough today, still preening and eating. The olive oil does seem to have made some changes to the surface appearance of the growth, so maybe it will at least shrink it and make him more comfortable.

Keep us updated on him okay, he sounds like a real gem

I understand, it is a difficult decision. I have a hen that also had a growth on her wing which I did have surgically removed because it was growing quickly and she began to pick at it and make it bleed. She is much younger than your bird, but she has liver/kidney problems and internal cysts (inoperable) as well so there was a good chance she might not have made it through either. Thankfully she did, and so far the tumor has not reappeared. I did not have it biopsied, so do not know if it was cancerous or benign. My thoughts are with you and Marble.

Would love to see a photo of Marble if you can and tell us more about him in happier healthier times

Thanks. I'll see what pics I have.

 

He's okay today also, though not too pleased to be basted in olive oil. But he never bites. I cleaned up the area and removed a few feathers caught up. It's one ugly looking tumour, poor guy.

We had a couple member come here with the same issue, I believe you could do a search for growth and if you want you could read up on what happened. Please keep us updated, would love to see pics.

Well sadly, the tumour got infected so I had to go with the surgery option. I found a good vet and he managed to get the lump of in five minutes without any blood loss. And just when we they all thought they were good Marble went and passed away in recovery. Little sod.

 

Best budgie ever.

((hugs)), sorry for your loss.

So sorry kilgh.....

 

R.I.P Little Marble....

I am very sorry for your loss...it is always so difficult when they go.

Sorry to hear that, it was always going to be hard on him, at least it sounds as though he didn't suffer and wasn't in pain.

Yes, he had a great life. At least I have his son still. He doesn't have his colouring, but everything else is about the same.

 

Thanks for the kind words.