|
Post by Marianne Marlow on Jun 15, 2021 12:49:45 GMT
A few days ago, George had a stroke and was unable to fly or stand on a perch. At first I put him in the hospital cage, but he tried to climb the bars and exhausted himself, so I transferred him to the Pet carrier that we use for taking budgies to the vet. One wing and one leg are paralysed, he is almost 9 years old and has been with us almost 8 years. I have been offering him water(with daily essentials1 and a tiny drop of calcivet in it) every few hours and giving him millet to eat as he doesn't seem to want anything else. I'm loathe to take him to the vet because I know they will want to put him to sleep. Some of you may not agree with my decision and if he stops eating and drinking I may well revise my decision and take him to be pts. Having had to do this twice in the past it's really an awful thing to have to decide. Any stories of budgies recovering from a stroke are welcome. Photo of George in the pet carrier sleeping, with Billy and Iris visiting.
|
|
|
Post by ffiscool on Jun 15, 2021 13:12:06 GMT
Oh poor George! Poor you too š. I have no idea about that sort of thing as in recovery, but with humans, itās amazing what improvements can be made.
How is he in himself?
I think at his age and your love and care, knowledge gained over years, youāre doing the right thing. The vet could stress him so much, that he wouldnāt make it possibly. Or as you say, the alternative probably is having him pts.
Youāre with him and will know when you need to take any action etc.
Sending positive vibes for you both.
|
|
|
Post by Marianne Marlow on Jun 15, 2021 13:46:18 GMT
Thanks ffiscool, he's mostly tired to be honest. He is finding it hard to balance and so leans against the side of the carrier box to rest. Here he is after I just changed his paper towel, gave him a drink of water and new millet. I've stopped leaving water in the carrier because he just knocks it over. Instead I offer it to him when I change the paper towel and he drinks a nip of it at least 1 in 2 times it's offered. I really don't think anything can be done for him, unless there is some sort of miracle. When I look in his eyes, he is still with us and not in pain, so I find it hard to let him go. Been very tearful over this
|
|
|
Post by ffiscool on Jun 15, 2021 13:51:02 GMT
I so feel for you. Iām sure heās comforted being at home. Having familiar noise, you.
As you say itās doubtful he can be given anything,
Iām glad heās not in pain, youād know if so.
Iād be the same.
|
|
|
Post by tweetiepiesmom on Jun 15, 2021 14:03:15 GMT
Awww he looks so sweet. Don't we all just want to be home when we're feeling off? He's got the best possible care with you. Hopefully people with experience dealing with budgies who've had a stroke will chime in.
|
|
|
Post by ariella on Jun 15, 2021 14:13:38 GMT
Iām really sad to read this Marianne Marlow. I well understand why youāre so upset. They are such a big part of our lives and itās distressing to see when theyāre not well. The main thing is that George seems comfortable and not in pain. I wonder whether heās headachey and dizzy, perhaps with his vision affected, something many people with strokes feel in the first days after a stroke. Itās a disorienting feeling and would explain his lack of appetite, though itās good that heās eating millet. Donāt lose hope yet. As ffiscool says, you know him better than anyone else and will know if he has reached the point when heās had enough. While you see heās still with you, then Iād trust your instincts. He might not make a full recovery but if he makes enough of a recovery to have a fulfilled life, he could perhaps join Penny on the floor to play. I hope so much he shows signs of improvement in the next 48 hours.
|
|
|
Post by ladybird on Jun 15, 2021 14:15:59 GMT
Marianne, I think you are doing the right and loving thing for him. You would know if he was in pain. We donāt put old people down if they have had a strokeā¦do we?! You love him and he will know that . People DO recover from strokes, so little George may do the sameā¦ā¦..donāt give up, you are doing the right thing just by loving him ā¤ļø
|
|
|
Post by Marianne Marlow on Jun 15, 2021 14:26:45 GMT
I had the Pet carrier, with George inside on my lap to try and deter some naughty budgies from staring in at him and this happened. Iris is not scared of anything and Billy followed her. It was on my lap and I did not expect them to do this! Then Billy came and landed on the sofa next to me and mooched about. I noticed his beak is a bit long so I'll have to trim it at some point.
|
|
|
Post by Marianne Marlow on Jun 15, 2021 14:27:52 GMT
Oh and Iris nibbled that hole in the paper, so she could stare in from the side.
I'm convinced that she's just after George's millet. Hens can be so mercenary.
|
|
|
Post by ariella on Jun 15, 2021 14:47:53 GMT
I expect theyāre missing George and perhaps are concerned for him, millet or no millet. Iām sure he likes to know theyāre around him.
|
|
|
Post by mona on Jun 15, 2021 15:04:01 GMT
It's tough to look at them like this.. I hope he feels a bit well after a while.. pts is such a difficult decision to make.. You are making the right choice Marianne MarlowSending lots of love š§”
|
|
|
Post by Marianne Marlow on Jun 15, 2021 17:41:55 GMT
Thanks mona, it's just so hard. I don't like to have to "play God" with their life, I hate that decision. It's tough to look at them like this.. I hope he feels a bit well after a while.. pts is such a difficult decision to make.. You are making the right choice Marianne MarlowSending lots of love š§”
|
|
|
Post by jellybean on Jun 15, 2021 17:58:10 GMT
It's heartbreaking to see them like this, and I'm so sorry I have no advice to give you.
Just know that I'm sending lots of love to you and George.
|
|
|
Post by sweetpea on Jun 15, 2021 18:16:30 GMT
So sorry to hear this has happened to George. It must be very distressing for you to witness. My only advice was actually to 'look into his eyes' but you said that already above. As long as he does not appear in pain then perhaps put the pts option on the back burner for the moment. I don't know anything about strokes but I guess there is always a chance he may improve a bit. Sending good vibes to little George.
|
|
|
Post by Marianne Marlow on Jun 15, 2021 22:08:03 GMT
Thank you all for your support. He's still with us, stumbling about, unable to balance. Tonight he seemed to want to drink a lot of water (well about 6 or 7 gulps, which seems a lot) so I just kept offering it until he had enough. Then he was interested in a leaf of basil and ate some more millet. His droppings aren't brilliant, but there is some substance to them, they are not just water. I had his carrier on my lap so I could fend Iris off for an hour as I felt she was being a pest. He's covered up now as are they all. I hope he is still with us tomorrow. It's odd but it feels like I have a newborn again as I change his kitchen paper every 2 hours during the day and offer him drinks and food. Eating millet Nibbling Basil.
|
|