Budgie attacked by cat (URGENT)

[inuester]

Hello, I am sorry to come into the forum with such a title, but i need urgent help. 

Around 20 minutes ago my budgie was attacked by my cat. My budgie is usually kept in the garderobe, since its a quiet and dark place for him to sleep. This morning i have awoken and heard some strange noises, and it turned out to be my budgie flying around the room. They started just when i left my bedroom since thats when other family members heard it too. I don't know how, but the cat entered the garderobe. I am 101% sure that i closed the door, i think it may have been someone from my family who opened it and forgot to close it. 

Long story short, my aunt, who's a veterinarian is coming, but she wont come sooner than 1-2 hours. All the vets in my town are currently closed too since it's 8am currently and i truly believe that my auntie is my best choice.

The budgie (mochi) seems is really quiet and shocked, but thats to be expected. There are 2 places where with roughed up feathers, which i think i may have been the places the cat scratched/bit him. Other than that there are no visible injuries, mochi is still able to fly. 

I came here to ask what can i do in the meantime? I have covered the top of the cage with his bedcloth he uses for sleep so that he is more comfortable, but with plenty of light. Should i just wait for my aunt or is there something i should do in the meantime?

Thank you so much for any replies.

I will update the forum... Let's hope for the best.

[Marianne Marlow]

Apart from keeping the bird calm, I am not sure what you can do until the vet arrives The budgie will need antibiotics if bitten or scratched by the cat as a budgie will die with a bite from a cat.

[jellybean]

Any update on your little bird 🤞

[inuester]

An update: Birdie seems to be doing better now. Sadly my aunt couldn't arrive. As i think i mentionioned, she's a vet. She has called every single veterinarian in my area and turns out none of them treat birds. She told me over the phone to look for any scratches/injuries, but i couldn't find any... which is good i guess. I'm still not entirely sure if the cat had mochi in his mouth, but if he didn't, it would explain why i cant find any bite marks. Mochi doesn't like to be held and he kept escaping so there is a possibility i could have missed the injuries. He had roughed up feathers in two places, his belly and his wing, but he seems to be able to fly. There is/was absoulutely no blood. Mochi is drinking and eating, but is pretty quiet. I don't know if thats because he is hurting or if he's still shaking the stress off. The Budgie is moving around the cage.

What i previously mentioned is not exactly true, because there are 2 avian specialists in the capital of my country, which is around 40km from my city, with the road conditions that's about an 1,5h drive. But since i do not own a car my hope is that i can find someone to drive me there, but the chances are slim.

As im typing, he's just finished drinking and is now eating some apple i left for him.

What are some home remedies i could use in case there is an injury i missed? Anything would be helpful... Thank you for the replies.

[Hezz]

The most usual injuries from a cat attack are internal and there isn’t much that can be done about that, unfortunately. Cat attacks are most often fatal and puncture marks are often well hidden.

Is your Aunt going to come to check him out? He really should be assessed for any damage done. If she can’t, then I suggest you keep him in a warm dark place, nowhere near the cat as that will only add to his distress. I would keep him like this for a couple of days to see how he is getting on. If being cooped up seems to be stressing him out more then return him to his cage. Just be prepared for him to take a sudden turn for the worst, in the event that the cat did catch him. 🙁

[Marianne Marlow]

How is he? Did you manage to get him checked by a vet?

[inuester]

Nov 10, 2022 11:41:19 GMT Marianne Marlow said:

How is he? Did you manage to get him checked by a vet?

Hello, thank you for asking! It's been quite some time since this reply has been posted, but i thought i'd share. I got very good news, since mochi is doing great now. His behaviour's back to normal, and yes, i have managed to actually travel to the avian vet. It was a bit stressful for mochi since he never travelled by car, but he managed. I finally found the injury, thats what prompted me to find a way to the vet immidietely. He said it wasnt major and only to disinfect the area daily. 

In short, Mochi is back to his good old self! Have a great day!

[Marianne Marlow]

That is great news. Thank you for the update

[ladybird]

So pleased for you both x