Budgie had a stroke?

[haddoway]

Hi there
I just wondered if anyone has experienced this.
I have a budgie Bluey  I was a member of the oldforum and years ago posted about him after finding him on the beach in 2007 as a baby
We discovered after he saw an avian vet that he had a liver problem and since then has had his seed soaked daily and had to have regular courses of anti-b's

Bluey has had a happy lively life and apart from the week or so about 4 times a year when he has one of his "do's" with his liver, he has had his cage open and been free to flyaround. he is tame as can bem sitting on our heads, shoulders and anywhere else.
he's been lively this week, even flying out into the kitchen after us and then coming to us when we admonish him and call him out.
Tonight I went in the lounge and he was perched on top of the door. he didn't look right. His tail and head both looked not right. i went up to the door to put him on my hand and he flew in a semi circle and then onto his cage where he landed  awkwardly and appeared slumped. It was apparent he couldn't stand up.
I picked him up and just held him quietly to me for a bit and stroked his chest, then put him back in his cage. he  tried to climb to his perch and fell
I have had him wrapped in an old top and cuddled in my arms but then every now and then he appeared to be twitching. Now i felt he was maybe "fitting" but he could also have been trying to take flight, as on one occasion he actually flew up, but onto the cage and then fell. So I wasn't letting him do that again.
I have now taken the top of his cage off. His cage bottom is very deep so have put soft clothes in the bottom, and then pout the top of the cage sideways on it, so that he is confined to the bottom and can't climb. His breathing looks laboured and he is just lying there now (Which I want him to do in the hope he's had a stroke but will regain feeling, rather than thrashing about ) but I do feel this is the end Am very very sad as we love our Blue. The avian vet i saw years ago is long gone. I worked for a vet myself for years and I am aware that normal vets really don't have a clue "I'll give him an injection" is what they say and I don't want to upset him further taking him out there  doing that if it isnt going to do any good. . 

I just wondered if anyone had experienced this?
I am awarethat his lifespan would be shortened by the liver problem, but he has been so well all week. I always thought he'd be killed by one of those "dos" not like this.
is there any chance he may pick up if he is able to rest for a day or so?

[mizloco]

I can't answer your questions but I just want to wish blue well poor little thing.

[haddoway]

Thank you.

[birdguhl]

Same in that I can't help but sorry this is happening and sending good wishes to you both. Sounds like you couldn't be doing more for him to keep him feeling loved and comfortable either way.

[haddoway]

Thank you for your kind thoughts. he has spent the last few hours asleep in mylap with part of my dressing gown over him. he seemed peaceful which was good.When i picked him up to put him to bed, he went from being asleep to flying on the door. good thing was he didn't fall off. But he was still unsteady
have put some water on my fngertip to his beak afew times to try and get a bit of fluid in him. have also put some antib's in it just in case, although I have removed the water now I a going to bed in case he gets into trouble with it in the night, and put some loose seed and apple in cage. he is in our bedroom now, just on the bottom of the cage as before so he cant fly or climb but has 16" x 10" of room and I am hoping he will rest up tonight. he does actually look slightly better for the few hours rest but I daren't hope. I feel so sorry too because i can't explain why he is feeling like this. I hope he doesn't think because he is in my lap it is me doing it to him:( I will let you know tomorrow and i hope someone sees this who has experienced it

[stace]

Poor little thing. It does sound as though he's had some sort of stroke. I haven't ever dealt with this but if it's only been a mild stroke, some birds can recover. You'd need to see improvement quite quickly, I think. If it has been a bad stroke or he has another or doesn't improve, things don't look good. He also needs to be able to feed himself.

The only thing that might help is getting him to an avian vet quickly and getting some vitamin B injections. That's if it's not too severe. 

[Hezz]

There is a chance he may well recover to an extent or fully, depending on how badly he has been affected. He has done very well for a rescue, hasn't he? All you can do is what you are doing, looking after his every need and being prepared to make that very hard decision if he doesn't recover enough to have a decent quality of life. It is very difficult watching your much-loved little companion go through these traumatic times, as you very well know. I can only wish you the very best of luck with Bluey and pray for a full recovery.

[haddoway]

Thank you. I see you had a bluey too! Well he woke me at 5am, flapping about but he still can't walk properly. Am worried about him feeding too as he doesn't appear to be. will ring vet at 9am, but don't think there is an avian one around here now.
It's hard as well knowing there'll be no surgery open till Tuesday after this morning. Do I make that decision now or do I hope he may recover?

[haddoway]

May 4, 2013 0:30:30 GMT stace said:

Poor little thing. It does sound as though he's had some sort of stroke. I haven't ever dealt with this but if it's only been a mild stroke, some birds can recover. You'd need to see improvement quite quickly, I think. If it has been a bad stroke or he has another or doesn't improve, things don't look good. He also needs to be able to feed himself.

The only thing that might help is getting him to an avian vet quickly and getting some vitamin B injections. That's if it's not too severe. 

I don't think it looks good tbh. I thought straight away this is it.. How soon is quite quickly? I as hoping after a night's rest he may have been walking round, but he isn't

[stace]

May 4, 2013 5:48:22 GMT haddoway said:

May 4, 2013 0:30:30 GMT stace said:

Poor little thing. It does sound as though he's had some sort of stroke. I haven't ever dealt with this but if it's only been a mild stroke, some birds can recover. You'd need to see improvement quite quickly, I think. If it has been a bad stroke or he has another or doesn't improve, things don't look good. He also needs to be able to feed himself.

The only thing that might help is getting him to an avian vet quickly and getting some vitamin B injections. That's if it's not too severe. 

I don't think it looks good tbh. I thought straight away this is it.. How soon is quite quickly? I as hoping after a night's rest he may have been walking round, but he isn't

I can't advise on that. ASAP I'm sure. All I know is they can give them a couple of injections, one of vit B and one of something I can't remember the name - starts with C I think. 

[haddoway]

No I meant where you said you'd need to see improvement quite quickly, how quick is that? Personally I'd have thought through the night but I don't really know anything about strokes and budgies so maybe it takes longer? I will ring and ask later anyway. Thank you

[haddoway]

The C drug may be cortisone? Thats a steroid so would probably make sense.

[haddoway]

Went to vet this morning. She said it didn't look good, which I thught myself, but said as he appeared quiet to try him with a steroid injection and bring him back after the w/e if he hasn't improved. I did ask if he should have a B12 injection but she said no, just the steroid. Slightly worried about that. maybe I should have insisted on it?? he was eating out of my hand while there and on coming home have put some new food n a flat plastic tray and he has eaten some. I don't think he will pick up, but we will see.

[budgiefriend]

All my thoughts and prayers are with you and Bluey. Hope the shot helps.

[haddoway]

Thank you. he is no better atm but these things can sometimes take time. I really don't think he will get better but we have to give him a chance. And while he is peaceful it isn't too bad, even though I hate to see him like this. leaving him quietly in his cage today, although I have tried to syringe feed him some water. he isn't having any of it, but he has had a bit of apple and a bit of seed, and as we soak his fed, there is some water in that thankfully. Will bring him out to lie in my lap again tonight as that seemed to comfort him last night. Just as well he is used to being handled. Thank you all