Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,805
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Aug 12, 2022 14:34:51 GMT
Does he need iodine?
Is he taking the antibiotics in his water or are you medicating him?
Just wondered if you are medicating him by syringe if you could add a drop of iodine to his drinking water to see if he needs it.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Aug 12, 2022 15:09:09 GMT
Poor little Charlie. He has such a strong bond to you. Pull through little guy!
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Post by ladybird on Aug 12, 2022 15:11:48 GMT
I am medicating him Marianne. Just seem odd as I have never seen him touch it before….. He has vitamin drops in his water and I am still giving him guardian Angel still. Not sure how long to continue the antibiotics, because the vet didn’t prescribe them this time. i hate having to catch him every day, just feels bad. 😟
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Post by Loz on Aug 12, 2022 15:51:15 GMT
I wish I knew what to do for Charlie.
My little Patch died in April this year. Like with Charlie, I had no real idea, and nor did the vet, what was wrong. He slowly declined over the course of four months, the entire time he was with me. He was prescribed Metacam and Baytril which I gave him for an initial course of ten days. I thought the meds were making a difference but looking back, I can see that his ups and downs occurred independently of his meds. The decision I was faced with was, continue to distress him and medicate him, without any belief they were helping ... or discontinue the meds and potentially live with the guilt that "I could have done more".
I discontinued the meds and a few weeks later Patch had passed on in the night. I remember seeing him in the morning - he was relaxed into his full size and shape rather than hunched into a little ball the way he had always been. I was struck by the sight of him being full-length and slim, a handsome young budgie, even as I grieved for him.
I still have a lot of thoughts about this - had Patch lived his entire life in pain? Could I have done more to help him? I just don't know. Rather than tear myself apart, I try to remember that Eeyore loved Patch so much and they had such a bond. I try to remember that Patch used to lead expeditions for the flock and that he was responsible for sweet corn being everyone's favourite treat.
The point of all this is not to talk on Charlie's thread about my sadness for Patch - it's to tell you Ladybird that there is no single, right, golden answer to your dilemma here. There is one thing you can do for the best and that is simply do your best for Charlie. It's clear that there is no definitive answer to whether Charlie needs meds or what they might be. There is only your best judgement, having listened to advice from as many budgie lovers and professionals you can find. You literally cannot do better for Charlie than to act with love and do what you feel is best. I know from experience that this won't satisfy you, nothing will unless Charlie makes a recovery as mysterious as that which is actually wrong with him. You won't be happy with what you've done for Charlie, thinking you could have done more *if only ...*.
No one can tell you that you could have done more. Those of us who have followed yours and Charlie's journey know that you have done as well as anyone can. You and Charlie have been an inspiration to me. Such love and care that lucky boy is blessed with!
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Post by ffiscool on Aug 12, 2022 16:37:35 GMT
totally agree with loz. there are always what ifs in every sad scenario. if I had done this instead of that etc etc. you have and are doing all you can for Charlie, there is no question about it. He clearly does not hold it against you that you catch him, or he would not sit with you. is metacam just the painkiller? if you feel that he is not improving with the antibiotics, perhaps that could be stopped... it is something you will know in how he is or isn't etc. the only way any of us ever know what's what is if an animal can tell us what is wrong. Charlie and. you have been battling and battling well.. it is hard not knowing what is causing this, plus the fact he has his good days, so nothing obvious etc.. wish I had an answer for you..
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Post by ladybird on Aug 12, 2022 17:10:43 GMT
Lozhinge, I have just read your post several times and with tears in my eyes . You are so so right and I know in my own mind too that I have to stop putting Charlie through all the catching and medicating. Since April, he has had first a four week course……then a two and now this past week…..Is he better….NO… Do I really know what is wrong with him…NO. If he has a bad day and I think he is in discomfort, I can give him Metacam….But I think no more antibiotics, just the usual and that is lots of TLC….. I have been so very grateful for all the help and advice that everyone has given me on this wonderful site……and I don’t want it to stop….. My head feels clearer now……lots of TLC for my boy and hopefully lots of cheeky talk from him ….👏👏
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Post by ladybird on Aug 12, 2022 17:12:37 GMT
Thank you fficool, yes Metacam is a painkiller / anti inflammatory.
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Post by Hezz on Aug 13, 2022 0:52:31 GMT
I wouldn’t read too much into Charlie’s pecking at the iodine block, except to be concerned that he may over do it, but these things aren’t exactly overdosed with the ingredient they are advertised for. It is not uncommon for sick birds to nibble on the extra blocks in their cage, shell grit included. All they are trying to do is replicate what they would do in the wild in trying to find something that makes them feel better. It is terribly sad to not know what to do to help, to have to sit back and watch them trying to cope.
For my two cents’ worth, I wouldn’t be stopping the metacam. It is possibly the only thing that is helping him cope. If you do stop it, watch out for any odd biting or feather-pulling behaviour, and I mean biting at himself, not you.
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Post by ariella on Aug 14, 2022 15:43:54 GMT
I’m also an advocate for metacam. I think if it helps Charlie to feel more comfortable it has to be worth giving it to help with any pain he’s suffering. Hope he picks up and you get some better days with him again.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,805
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Aug 17, 2022 12:39:05 GMT
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