Budgie Tumours?

[Marianne Marlow]

Blueboy was diagnosed with a tumour today (stomach area)

I just wanted to know if anyone had heard of using Apple Cider Vinegar as a remedy to shrink tumours. I am sure I read about it somewhere but have been googling a lot today and can't find it!

I know you can add it to the budgies water for other things so I am going to try it.

He's been given two months by the vet so it's worth a shot.

I'd also like to hear from anyone that has or did have a budgie with a tumour. What did you do to help?, where was the tumour and how long did the budgie live once diagnosed?

Thank you!

Marianne (+Blueboy)

[BudgiesBuddy]

Apple Cider Vinegar is popular among breeders for Infections, Asthma, Fungi, Acne and as preventative agent. I didn't read anywhere about tumors and haven't used it as it is not available here.

[Marianne Marlow]

Acne!

I didn't know that one BB. Do budgies get spots?!

[ruthpaton]

Marianne you are so funny! Do budgies get spots.. ;D

I think some people believe that cider vinegar as a natural remedy can help shrink tumours in people so it wouldnt surprise me if some also think it could shrink them in birds. I don't know one way or the other but it would do no harm to try it. I sure hope it does help!

[Tacey]

Sorry to hear Blueboy has a tumour!

Bibi has a fatty tumour and has had it for at least 3 or 4 years... and it doesn't bother him at all. I have heard ACV can help, I think it has to be quite a strong solution to be effective though. I tried with Bibi and he didn't like the taste so I just left him alone, he seems quite happy. Some people have also had success with 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide.

[nat]

Hi Marianne. Sorry to hear about Blueboys tumour diagnosis.

All I can do is tell you Freddies tumour story and I hope it will give you some hope.
As you might remember about 2 years ago + Freddie had a large 'tumour' on his chest. It grew rapidly to more than a centimetre square. He lost weight, plucked the growth, it was very solid and not at all fatty, his breathing became laboured and he begun to make a squeak while breathing.
Now it was happened last year that was surprising. The tumour that was visable externally disapeared gradually but left him with a remaining tumour inside.
He did become very weak at one point and picked up a bacterial infection which prolonged baytril treatment eventually cured.
Basically, he still has been diagnosed with a remaining tumour inside which is interfering with his breathing. I need to watch him carefully and whip him out of the aviary at the first sign that hes looking tired. If he gets tired he is going to be more prone to picking up infection. We've done this so many times now that when he feels bad he actually flys out of the aviary of his own accord and readily hops in the hospital cage and when he feels better he knows when to come out again!
I haven't given him anything different in diet or supplements to the others other than when hes poorly he gets guardian angel for however long he needs it.
He gets almost a constant supply of fresh eucalyptus courtesy of my tree outside.
There have been a few times over the months where hes been so bad I've nearly rung the vet to have him pts and then hes picked up just in time and been almost as good as new apart from the breathing problem. Thank goodness the avian vet is there only once a week!!!!
Given that his tumour started more than 2 years ago, hes managed to bring up 4 healthy chicks and it probably the livliest bird I have over the age of 5 years!
In humans with tumours an alkaline diet is suggested as an alternative treatment to chemo etc. Alkaline foods are really only raw veg and plant matter. Budgie seed is all acidic food.
This is where I think the idea of cider vinegar comes from as its supposed to have an alkalising effect on the body. Fresh willow bark is also meant to have medicinal properties as well as eucyalyptus.
Most foods with high carbs and protien content are highly acidic to the body. This would mean that budgie seed is acidic.
Sugars also are meant to promote tumour growth so no fruit, tea with sugar added etc.

[budgiefriend]

My Willow had a testicular tumor that was diagnosed when he lost the use of one of his legs. He was given Lupron shots every two weeks for 3 months. He was 8 years old when he passed away from the tumor. The vet was unable to predict how the treatment would work nor how long Willow would be with me. But I don't think he suffered.

[Deleted]

i have a hen with a tumour,
it started about a week after i got her ...
its very big now ...iv had hr about 2 years....
and she cant fly very well ......but still goes out.... into the outer flight with the others ...if left alone.... she gets on well.....but if i try to get her..... she panics and falls to the floor ....so i dont bother her ....shes happy but big.....no probs breathing ....she just cant fly very far.....

[Hezz]

Fatty lipomas are not the same as tumours. Lipomas are benign, usually just under the skin, and exercise and diet are all that should be recommended for treating them. Tumours are a malignant growth - usually a cancer which can grow very slowly or very quickly, and generally invade the body cavity, causing stress on the bird's organs as well by taking up necessary space.

You know my whole story with Bluey, Marianne. I don't need to say any more, except that I am feeling for you. xx

[samwiseg]

Oh Marianne, am so sorry to hear your news about Blueboy :-( I may not have any useful advice like others here on the forum but I can give you all my love, support and well wishes for you both x

[Marianne Marlow]

Thanks for all the info everyone, it really helps to hear that some budgies can live quite a long time despite a tumour.

I am going to eventually get a Euccy tree for the balcony as I have heard many times how budgies love it and how great it is for them.

I've started adding Apple Cider Vinegar at a very low rate to their water and they have all been drinking it no probs so far.

Blueboy was very sprightly this morning, shouting, flying and scoffing food.

My sister in law is going to bring over some Organic ACV and some rescue Remedy for Blueboy today

I figure if I can keep him calm then his breathing wont be so stifled.

I also asked her to bring some celery as it might help Blueboy not to strain when he makes droppings if they are slightly looser.

[samwiseg]

That all sounds really positive Marianne, you are doing everything you can. Wishng all the best for Blueboy - keep us posted x

[Marianne Marlow]

Will do Sam and thank you for your continued support

[Hezz]

Rescue remedy was something I was advised to try with Bluey, but when I researched it, it wasn't targetting the points I was looking at. It certainly may have positive affects on Blueboy.

[Marianne Marlow]

It's like a nip of brandy to relax him in the evening ;D

If he hasn't got long to live then it's not going to hurt him and the Avian vet did recommend it.