Woody is in hospital

[birdguhl]

I decided yesterday that I still didn't feel happy with Woody after two weeks on baytril for a respiratory problem. He was slightly fluffed up, wings were a bit droopy, and he didn't even seem excited by some through-the-bars attention from the other two. He had also not gained any weight despite eating for about 40 minutes solidly the night before.

Today he was seen by the head of exotics at the university vet school practice, so top notch expertise. He agreed he is not right but was quite honest in saying he didn't know why and further tests would be needed. So he is an inpatient and I just came home with his blanket . Of course I am sad and worried (and thinking about the money too - unavoidably), but glad I took him back and he is in good hands. I will get some news tomorrow.

That is my fourth trip up there including Berry's Christmas outing and each time I have mercilessly inflicted my budgie video on the captive vet students. They have no choice but to look appreciative and interested!!! (I am SO glad I made that video - especially as Berry's flying days were so shortlived and Woody is on the sick list.)

Now I must concentrate on getting some serious work done with Cheeky Charlie's delightful company. He is such a wee sweetie. Today I put in a new mirror as I broke one of the perches on his old one and he was climbing onto it before I could even get it fixed up! His beautiful singing is just what I need to keep up my budgie spirits.

[skysmum]

Aww im sorry Woody is still not right, its such a worry for you , i hope they can get to the bottom of what is going on, at least it will put your mind at rest knowing what it is and how to treat it. Keep us posted.

[Moogie]

I hope dear woody will be home with you soon x

[Hezz]

Poor Woody. I am wishing for a positive outcome from the experts. Hope he is home soon.

[samwiseg]

Fingers and wings crossed for Woody's speedy recovery x

[birdguhl]

Thanks for good wishes, guys.
First report is that nothing showed up with crop wash and fecal samples, so I have just given the okay for blood samples and x-ray. Poor wee soul, but hopefully I am doing the right thing putting him through this. There should be some news later today.

[lousette]

I am sure the tests are stressful for him, but rather safe than sorry. I always believe you need to go with your gut and you have been worried for a while now so you have totally done the right thing. Hope all goes well!

[skysmum]

Apr 3, 2013 9:04:34 GMT birdguhl said:

Thanks for good wishes, guys.
First report is that nothing showed up with crop wash and fecal samples, so I have just given the okay for blood samples and x-ray. Poor wee soul, but hopefully I am doing the right thing putting him through this. There should be some news later today.

Its not nice for him but at least you can get to the bottom of it birdguhl. Good wishes for him and you.

[birdguhl]

Thanks - I really appreciate your support.

I feel we have to try but is all rather awful.

And my mind (esp around 4am) can do a great job on me when it comes to this sort of thing: "Hmmm, let's think about this - budgie in vet hospital or donation to people in Syria...? Interesting one..."

Back to work.

[budgiefriend]

Thoughts and prayers are with you and Woody. Hope the news is good.

[BudgiesBuddy]

Hope every things goes right.

[birdguhl]

Ok - some news - fatty liver disease.

I have looked it up and see it is serious but common. It seems like the enlarged liver may have been the reason for the obviously laboured breathing rather than an infection.

From what I have read, liver disease is related to poor diet which I am upset about because I thought I was doing reasonably well in this regard. He has never looked overweight and he is a great flyer, although he has been doing less of this since Berry lost his flight feathers. Maybe that is a factor. (Little Charlie in quarantine beside me - PLEASE PLEASE be a lovely flying companion to Woody!)

The main thing they eat is germinated seeds (I have tested various kinds for freshness by observing how many germinate and rinse them with apple cider vinegar to get rid of nasties) with some dry seed (both Beaphar premium and one of the fancy VitaKraft brands) and reasonably regular treats like millet and seed sticks, but only small bits of millet - I cut them into 3 bits usually - and not available all the time.

They like carrot, but apart from copious amounts of parsley (which I stopped because of the calcium binding issue) they have never taken to any other vegetables or fruit (have tried apple, pear, beetroot, broccoli, cauliflower and others), despite repeated offering.

I also had a really good try with pellets even letting them get a bit hungry to encourage them but they were going through the seed husks on the floor rather than eating them so I gave up.

I feel relieved that something has been found though and we can do something about it. The others will have to have a dietary upgrade as well.

He is getting some injections (ouch for a budgie I expect) and I am getting him home tomorrow.

[birdguhl]

Just found this on Barrie's site:

You can't "starve" a ny bird into eating right - he can literally starve to death before he'll eat what he doesn't consider "food". To help guide new eating, I stage feedings, feeding different foods at different times to minimize his choices.

That certainly fits with my experience of the pellets episode.

[nat]

Oh dear :-( At least you know now whats wrong.
My hahns macaw was diagnosed with fatty liver disease when I initially got him over 4 years ago and it has proven very hard to get him to eat anything other than a seed diet.
With him and some of the fussier budgies the only veg they will eat is sweencorn from a tin, but I've found that all my budgies, even the fussy ones, love to chew through leaves and bark of willow and eucalyptus. That is one type of vegetation they can never seem to get enough of!
Best of luck with him

[skysmum]

Oh no poor woody, at least you know what's wrong now and can only do your best to manage it. I don't know enough about this to advise and it seems that you are doing right by the sprouted seeds. The only thing i will say is to stop giving Millet, this is quite fattening, also the seed sticks because these can be mainly millet and sweetner. Something ive found that mine LOVE is Pak choi and Butternut squash i don't know if you have tried these but if you offer the choi wet and a whole leaf mine go for it like locusts also a LITTLE dandelion leaf but make sure you collect it away from the roads where it can be polluted, they love these. Its worth a try if you haven't already .