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Post by Loz on May 11, 2023 9:38:42 GMT
What a sad post, rdm . I feel for you. I know the agony of the decision you're faced with and it's made harder when your budgie is in anyway active, able to perch and fly and sing. I had an easier choice than you recently as it was obvious to me that there wasn't going to be a turn-around, only further decline and therefore I had my dear, beautiful Sandy put to sleep to spare her further discomfort and the inevitable decline. With Dante it is harder, based upon what you've written here. No one who doesn't regularly interact with Dante can make the choice for you - equally, no one can possibly criticise the choice you make, either way. Only you, with advice from your avian vet, can rightly make that choice. For me, the choice comes down to - is there daily pain? Is there a hope of recovery? Is there a quality of life that compensates the poor budgie for the discomfort and disorientation they feel? When you can honestly & confidently answer those questions, the choice is slightly easier - the hard part is getting to that point. I wish you & Dante the best and hope you can find the choice in your heart that feels right. It may be that you have to delay the decision until certainty is achieved, or you may need to be brave & soon make the choice that you hate. I wish someone could tell you which way is right but that is impossible.
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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: 28,765
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Post by Marianne Marlow on May 11, 2023 12:56:54 GMT
For me what it would come down to is does he have any quality of life?
Eating, drinking, playing (if playing is normal for him that is, as I have budgies that do not play).
Also is he in pain or is that pain manageable.
Lots of people have disabled birds, so if his pain is managed then maybe cage adaptations for him so that he can get about okay might be in order.
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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: 28,765
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Post by Marianne Marlow on May 11, 2023 12:57:36 GMT
Sorry, should have said, I am sorry for the decision that you are faced with.
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Post by Hezz on May 12, 2023 0:44:37 GMT
No one but yourself can make these decisions with the support and respect of your vet, and no one should in any way think to judge anyone making or contemplating this decision.
If you want him off the meds but are willing to try more natural supplements, I can offer a couple of suggestions, but of course there is no guarantee that they will make any difference. Cayenne pepper is a natural pain reliever and can be added to drinking water or given straight into the beak, a little powder moistened and rolled into a ball and put under the tongue. Turmeric is being used in a number of trials on other pets with tumours, although I think these are more of the topical sort than internal. You can buy turmeric capsules in concentrated form for human use which I understand are perfectly safe for budgies. Sprinkled over his food or put into the drinking water. For his bumblefoot, does he have a platform perch so that he can lie down if he wanted? Perches padded? (Vetwrap/sports tape can do this) has the vet given you something to apply to the sore itself? Some members have had good results using fucidin ointment, but I think that is a prescription-only med and aloe vera leaf using the gel inside the leaves has natural soothing properties.
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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: 28,765
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Post by Marianne Marlow on May 13, 2023 10:06:22 GMT
How are you both doing now?
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Jan 7, 2023 9:21:41 GMT
rdm
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 12
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Post by rdm on May 15, 2023 6:46:39 GMT
Thank you so much to everyone that’s replied. It’s really meant so much to me and it’s wonderful to have a place to ask these questions. I’ve read the replies as they have come in but I’ve been too sad to write anything.
We’ve made the very hard decision and have an appointment tomorrow for my wee boy to be put out of his pain. I think I knew it had to be done before my previous post, but then on Friday night I knew for sure. He’s not playing any more, hardly moves in his cage and even his chirps don’t sound like him any more. His feet are very obviously hurting him now, the bumble foot is getting worse and I’ve noticed a wee patch of it appearing on his other foot. The implant also doesn’t seem to be working as well this time, so I’m presuming the tumour hasn’t reduced much in size.
I’ve tried so much to help, wrapped his perches, got him a flat perch (which typical to him he was too scared off so I ended up wrapping cuttle fish for him to sit on!) cleaned his wee scab twice a day, given him cayenne and more but sadly nothing is getting better.
I know a lot of you will have made this hard decision before so I’m sure you know how I feel. I know it’s right and I have to put him first, but I’m so sad and can’t stop thinking about it. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster since he got ill at the beginning of the year, but this forum has helped so much and I want to thank you all for that. ❤️
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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: 28,765
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Post by Marianne Marlow on May 15, 2023 6:56:30 GMT
I'm so sorry you have had to make this decision, I have had to make this choice twice now and it doesn't get any easier.
You know that you are doing the kindest thing for your little friend.
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Post by Loz on May 15, 2023 7:19:03 GMT
Marianne put it better than I can.
I'm so sorry for you and for Dante. An end to suffering is the small crumb of comfort but it sounds the right choice. Know that you are doing right by your little lad.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on May 15, 2023 15:00:35 GMT
Sending you both comforting thoughts.
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Post by Hezz on May 16, 2023 1:13:13 GMT
This is very sad, but go knowing that you are doing not only the right thing but the best thing for your little friend. I hope you are able to be there through it if that is what you wish. I have found being involved helpful.
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