How do tell if a budgie is in pain?

[starzie]

I am a little worried about Whiskers. Now my birds have gone up to the aviary, I don't get to see them an awful lot as I'm so busy all the time - I usually manage to see them once or twice a week. Whiskers is a 50/50 kind of budgie - half the time she's fine, and half the time she just doesn't look right. When she isn't right, she looks tired, uncomfortable and leans forward on the perch, and she also has her eyes closed a lot when she does this. She is still eating and drinking and moves around the aviary when she's acting normal (she is still a bit on the porky side though, not huge but slightly fat - she has never been a big flyer and despite my hopes that she would take it up once in the aviary, she only flies when she has to).

Whiskers does have her health problems, she has an ovarian tumour (for which she has had a Suprelorin implant which seems to have helped) and she also has a tumour on her chest which, to me, looks to be gradually getting bigger. I think this may the reason she leans so far forward on the perch and she's always had a bob to her tail. Surgery is out of the question given the location of both tumours - it would just be far too risky.

I just wondered if there are any classic symptoms of being in pain or whether you think she is displaying any signs? I don't want to stress her out unnecessarily but if so, I think it may be time to consider another visit to the vet...as horrible as it is it's not right for her to be in constant pain especially when there is no chance of a full recovery from the tumours. I hope it's not the case but I know it would be better to let her go peacefully

[stace]

When my budgie was in pain with something wrong in his digestive tract he would lean forward to alleviate the discomfort and he would wince. You can see the eyes opening and closing irregularly as they feel the pain. It's not as obvious as when humans wince, but if you look for it you can see it. Also, their preening may be less, maybe just on certain spots where they can't reach properly because it hurts for them to reach certain parts of their body.

[Bird Junky]

Hello Sorry to hear about Whiskers. As you know birds try hard
not to show any pain as this makes them vulnerable to predators.
So I think it's time for another trip to the Vet. There's a chance
he might prescribe a strong painkiller........B.J.

[ruthpaton]

Poor Whiskers, it does sound as though she is uncomfortable at least some of the time. These signs would make me want to pay a visit to the vet, especially since you know she has problems. I hope they can do something to help her when you do go.

[starzie]

Thanks for your replies, I think you're right that it's probably about time for another trip to the vet. Not looking forward to it but it needs to be done, dreading what he'll say :/

Poor old Whisky! She isn't uncomfortable all of the time so hopefully they can do something for her.

[Hezz]

All the very best of luck, Starzie. I hope the vet has some good news for you.

[Deleted]

keep us up dated ...fingers x
for Whiskers... .