What next for Woody?

[birdguhl]

I would very much appreciate any guidance on the following situation.

Woody is on day 6 of a 7 day course of antibiotics for a respiratory condition. He has been holed up in another room with just an infrared heat bulb and Radio 2 for company.

His breathing is much better and he is no longer tail bobbing which is great. I wish he had gained a bit
more weight though - he is eating but he has hovered between 38-40g.

He is going back to the vet tomorrow, and I hope she'll feel he is well enough for us to discontinue the twice daily catching and dosing ordeal.

BUT what I am not sure of his what is best to do with him even if he has recovered.

There are two issues - the bacterial issue if Luee was the source of infection and the social exclusion issue as Berry and Luee are as happy and devoted as ever and are likely to go on ignoring him as before. (I notice they haven't sent him a get well card.)

Key question: Is it likely he will be at risk of re-infection if I put him back in with Luee?

Meanwhile I have heard about a very lovely looking male (Cheeky) whose elderly owner died and is in need of a new home... oh dear - I seem to be in danger of becoming a budgie rehoming refuge!

As per advice before I could pair Woody up with Cheeky (or another budgie) but the logistics of keeping Woody on his own for another 4 weeks while I quarantine a newcomer is a bit much.

Sorry it is all a bit complicated. You're doing well if you're keeping up!

[sarah*glittergirl2212]

I'm sorry I have missed the issue with Luee and Woody, could you fill me in how Luee may have infected Woody with something please as I'm confused...

[birdguhl]

Thanks, Sarah. Confusion is the normal response to all this.

The story with Luee is that he had been on his own for about 4 years and I put him together with Berry and Luee before recommended quarantine time. All seemed fine for a while then Woody got ill with this rapid breathing tail bobbing issue. The vet was quite worried. But, as I say he is better.

Meantime Berry and Luee are madly in love and both seem well. There was about a week when Woody was being completely shut out by them. Then I took him out as he was acutely ill.

I might be wrong to pin this on Luee but I am thinking that he gave something to Woody whilst not being ill himself and that if they are allowed to go back in the same cage Woody will get reinfected. Or will he have developed resistance to this bug?

The social exclusion thing is a big worry as well, but the infection risk is uppermost right now.

I hope this seems clearer.

[sarah*glittergirl2212]

Hmm, but Berry and Luee are bothe well yes? I'm not sure how Luee could give something to Woody but not Berry, who he spends more time with, or indeed not becone ill himself, but that's why I'm not a vet
Can the vet rule out Luee as the culprit by taking a sample of something froom Luee so you can know one way or the other?
I would get a new friend for Woody but definitely not until he is better, you don't want to bring new birds into the house with an illness about even with proper quarantine in case somehow you pass it from one bird to another unwittingly....
Sorry my answer tells you NOTHING useful... I hope you can fix it for poor Woody x

[birdguhl]

Yes - it is a real question why Berry is not ill if Luee gave something to Woody. Even if Luee is an asymptomatic carrier of something you would think Berry would be vulnerable and even more so than Woody as Woody has always been the bigger stronger bird. The idea of taking a ?poo sample from Luee is interesting - hadn't thought of that.

I agree about the new bird thing. Even though I really want Woody to have a lovely friend I feel I can't face any more illness worries etc. Apart from being anxious about him, what with catching him every morning and doing all the food things separately my morning routine has gone to pot, I haven't been meditating and I seem to be late for work every day!

[Hezz]

Your vet would be the best to advise on your key question, I feel. If she thinks it is fine for him to go back in .......... she should know that the best. Is the 4th bird able to be housed with someone for a time while you sort out Woody and his health?

[birdguhl]

Thanks, folks. We are just home from the vet who advised a further 7 days of baytril. She agrees his breathing is a lot better but as he has only gained 1g in the last week he is still a bit vulnerable.

But she also suggested that he could go back beside the others (though still in separate cage) as solitude will be a stressor now that he is well enough to take more of an interest in things.

Both the others have come over to greet him and Berry has been clinging to the bars nearest to Woody so that is a nice vote of confidence for him in view of previously being sent to Coventry (that means being ignored for non-Brits!).

Woody has shown a bit of interest in food I have just put in which is good because over the last week he hasn't been eating soon after new food arriving as he did before being ill.

The only thing she said to watch is if he gets a bit frantic about not being able to be in with the others. He has been much more active in the last 10 minutes and right now he is doing a bit of clambering around the cage but I hope that that settles.

She didn't think re-infection (by Luee if he is the culprit) was too much of a concern as he should have developed some immunity. She also suggested that since Luee and Berry aren't ill perhaps Woody has become ill through something in him that has been dormant but got activated through the stress of having a new bird around.

I hope this convalescence arrangement works out as it is lovely to have all my birdies in the same room again! It also means that there is quarantine space for Bud No 4... And might Bud No 4 be Cheeky? He is another older bird whose elderly owner died and he is awaiting re-homing.

[mizloco]

I'm glad woody is feeling a bit better and near the others. Hopefully that will perk him up even more. Welcome to your new addition too.

Sent from my HTC One X using proboards

[Hezz]

Glad Woody is getting back onto his feet. I do hope he is over the worst and ready for a new friend.

Is that Cheeky in the photo?