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Post by Hezz on Jan 31, 2015 1:14:28 GMT
We have had a very traumatic couple of days, Smudge and I. I came home mid-morning Thursday, putting the groceries away and heard her making a very strange squeaking noise. When I looked at her, I could see she was straining to pass something. My first thought was that the poor girl had an egg, and all the consequential problems that that can cause for an older bird. So off to the vet, there and then, no sign of any egg, maybe constipation, her straining was getting worse. After some painkiller and a worming dose we came home again, only to go back in later in the afternoon, Smudge still struggling with whatever, and now I could plainly see blood in her stools. Poor girl went downhill really quickly in a short amount of time, wasn't eating or drinking, just sitting trying to s#%t. Not nice to have to watch. So Thursday night she stayed in hospital, a good crop feed to see her through the night, I really didn't expect her to make it through the night, was preparing myself for the worst. But she did, Friday sees my favourite birdie vet at work and Karen managed later in the day to take an xray without anaesthetic - she wasn't strong enough to be put under - and has found what she thinks is lead/heavy metal specks in her kidneys. She is now on a chelate flushing program which hopefully, if this is the problem, binds with the metal and flushs it out of her system. She is still in hospital, and will be for a few more days, as she needs an injection a couple of times a day for the next few days, and also getting crop feeds until she starts eating again. Hopefully by Monday I/we will know whether it is working. How has this happened? My educated guess is that she has been chewing on lead-based paint, under the current layer(s) of paint. Our house was built in the '60's when all paint was lead-based. I think I know where this might have happened, but am at a loss to know how to prevent her chewing there in future. The only solution I can think of is to paint the window frames with the hardest enamel paint I can find. Any other suggestions greatly appreciated. My relief is that I am writing this up in the health section, and not "Fields of Millet". BUT ....... she is not out of the woods yet, by a long shot.
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Post by JennyB on Jan 31, 2015 1:22:07 GMT
Oh no poor Smudge. How traumatic the last few days must've been for you both. I will keep my fingers crossed that the treatment works for her and she's back home asap xx
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Post by budgiefriend on Jan 31, 2015 3:17:20 GMT
Poor little Smudge. I hope the treatment works quickly. You and Smudge have only my very best thoughts and prayers. She is much too cute to be sick. Please keep us posted.
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Post by OP on Jan 31, 2015 6:34:10 GMT
So sorry to hear that Smudge is sick. At least you may have caught it in time, thanks to your keen eye and the thoroughness of your vet. I have no idea how to eep your buds from chewing the paintwork.
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Post by stace on Jan 31, 2015 8:43:39 GMT
Oh no. I hope you've caught it in time.
Are you sure it's lead? It could be the paint. Can you remove the birds, strip it safely and repaint, so you don't have to worry about it?
SOURCES OF LEAD Toxicity in birds
Lead fishing weights, , Lead gunshot, Lead putty, Lead solder Lead based paints – especially undercoats in older houses -paint pigments. Glitter from trendy clothes, Christmas ornaments Curtain weights Foil from the top of wine and champagne bottles Pewter based products Stained glass window Coins, Costume jewellery Batteries, Linoleum Ceramics Drinking water Light bulb bases Glaze ceramics Mirror backs
SOURCES OF ZINC toxicity in birds
Galvanized wire aviaries Galvanized nails, mesh, washers Coins Staples Fertilizers Hardware cloth Some paints Containers Monopoly game pieces
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Post by jellybean on Jan 31, 2015 9:02:36 GMT
Poor little girl. Is their anything these birds won't chew? I hope she makes a full and speedy recovery Hezz. I wish every vets surgery had a Karen. Lots of love to little Smudge x
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Post by Shirls on Jan 31, 2015 9:45:43 GMT
Oh Hezz I am so sorry to hear this. Fingers and wings crossed for little Smudge. She really is in the best place with your wonderful vet at the moment. Hugs to you and I'm sure Karen will do everything she can.
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Post by Hezz on Jan 31, 2015 9:50:20 GMT
stace, I did say lead/heavy metal. Your list says it all, I feel - Lead based paints – especially undercoats in older houses -paint pigments.There is nothing else that fits except the paint around the window frames. The house is of the era of lead-based paints. I stripped a banister rail and found 10 different layers of paint a while back, but unfortunately I don't have the time to do that now. I too hope we have caught it in time; it is going to be a looong process. JennyB, budgiefriend, OP, jellybean ....... thanks for the good wishes xxxxx, jellybean, I don't know what I would do without this woman. Mind you, she costs me a lot of money ..... Does anyone have a sure-fire 'something' taste- or smell-wise that budgies HATE and won't go near? Of course, also needs to not be harmful.
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Post by Hezz on Jan 31, 2015 9:59:22 GMT
Thanks, Shirls. Update from the vet on duty today, she is a bit more alert and observant, drinking but still not feeding by herself so still on crop feeds. It seems that this so going to take a long time, talking potentially weeks before we are through and out the other side. Looking at having to have a blood test on Monday to have a heavy metal base level to work from so they know when the procedure can be scaled down and then stopped. I cannot begin to image what this is all going to cost ......
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Post by birdguhl on Jan 31, 2015 10:00:04 GMT
oh dear, Hezz, I am so sorry to read this and can only add my good wishes for Smudge's speedy recovery - all strength to you x
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Post by stace on Jan 31, 2015 10:11:16 GMT
stace, I did say lead/heavy metal. Your list says it all, I feel - Lead based paints – especially undercoats in older houses -paint pigments.There is nothing else that fits except the paint around the window frames. The house is of the era of lead-based paints. I stripped a banister rail and found 10 different layers of paint a while back, but unfortunately I don't have the time to do that now. I too hope we have caught it in time; it is going to be a looong process. JennyB, budgiefriend, OP, jellybean ....... thanks for the good wishes xxxxx, jellybean, I don't know what I would do without this woman. Mind you, she costs me a lot of money ..... Does anyone have a sure-fire 'something' taste- or smell-wise that budgies HATE and won't go near? Of course, also needs to not be harmful. The only thing that works, as far as I've been able to figure out, is covering the problem item. If that's what it is, you'll have to repaint at some point. I know what you mean about costs. It's the repeat x-rays that will do you in.
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Post by stace on Jan 31, 2015 10:25:55 GMT
Thanks, Shirls. Update from the vet on duty today, she is a bit more alert and observant, drinking but still not feeding by herself so still on crop feeds. It seems that this so going to take a long time, talking potentially weeks before we are through and out the other side. Looking at having to have a blood test on Monday to have a heavy metal base level to work from so they know when the procedure can be scaled down and then stopped. I cannot begin to image what this is all going to cost ...... She might be in there getting hospital feeds for around 10 days while they leech out the metals. I know, because I've been through this scenario with Boo. Given how on the ball you are, I'm sure you've caught Smudge in time. If that's the case, I'm also sure she's got a really good chance of pulling through. Given she's a hen, she might be picking around more looking for minerals. You'll have to fix it at source somehow.
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Post by starlingqueen on Jan 31, 2015 10:34:55 GMT
So sorry to hear this Hezz. Best wishes to your little girl. With regards to the window. Could you have it replaced with a PVC window frame?
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Post by samwiseg on Jan 31, 2015 10:35:46 GMT
Oh my god I am so sorry to be reading this poor little Smudgy! But knowing what your vet was like for Smudge last time I reckon she will do all she can for Smudge - she was brilliant with her last time. As for your "Does anyone have a sure-fire 'something' taste- or smell-wise that budgies HATE and won't go near? Of course, also needs to not be harmful." You probably need something that tastes bitter, first thought came to mind was Baytril but perhaps you need to look for something like this?
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Apr 30, 2024 2:05:31 GMT
Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2015 17:32:52 GMT
So sorry to read this, but I'm so impressed at how much care you're giving her and what a great vet you have. Smudge is very lucky to have you, and I hope you will be lucky enough to have her for a long, long time. It sounds like you guys are on top of things, so I hope she will recover damage free.
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