I think Luee is ill

[birdguhl]

It is with an all-too-familiar very heavy heart feeling that over the last couple of days I have seen Luee sleeping and eating more than usual, spending a lot of time just sitting quietly and not interacting as much as usual with Berry, and - quite distinctly - tail bobbing. It seems like he has the kind of respiratory symptoms he had before.

I will phone the vet tomorrow and see if they will give me some baytril and lend me a nebuliser without seeing him as getting them both up there (I would hate to separate them as they are so bonded) is difficult (don't have spare cage they are familiar with) and a bird with BPFD is not a popular visitor. Berry seems fine but a bit puzzled as to why his good friend is not as much fun as usual.

Some of you may remember that Charlie was a bit iffy with his foot a while back. I notice he is still holding it up at times (not consistently), and a new thing is that he has developed brown spots about his cere. I really don't think he can be vit A deficient, and he doesn't seem ill otherwise. I am back to worrying about the kidney disease possibility. Does anyone know if this kind of discolouration might be associated with this?

I just don't seem to be able to keep illness at bay.

[tinksmum]

Poor Luee, wish i could give some advice but this is a grey area for me but i really hope Luee gets well soon, hugs to you both xx

Have you tried vit drops in their water? x

[stace]

Oh, poor Luee. Sorry this is still going on.

[birdguhl]

Okay, it's budgie hospital again here.

I got Luee seen this morning (bunking off work again). I took him by himself although it is unheard of for him and Berry not to be together. There was some very mournful chirping as we left and there has been an ecstatic chirpy reunion since getting home. Poor Luee had to spend an hour and half in the car while I went to a work meeting. I left the radio on for him.

The results of the exam showed nothing obviously wrong with his breathing. However, he has lost 4g since he was last weighed there which is quite a lot. The main question is whether there is something internal going on - for example swollen organs restricting lung capacity. This is how Woody's liver problems first presented.

The poor vet got quite a fright when she first saw his mega beetroot & carroty beard, but of course I was able to reassure her re this. But he produced some very red-looking droppings on the journey which I have never seen before despite the fact of them getting beetroot most days. So, no more beetroot for a while and we'll see what happens to that.

As for other action, I have to weigh him first thing every morning, give him 0.03ml baytril and 0.01 metacam twice a day and see how he goes with that.

There were some cameramen in the waiting room who were there to do some filming for children's BBC programme Junior Vets. I told them they could do a whole series on my budgies - easy!

[starrymist]

Sorry to hear this Birdguhl. I'm relatively new to the forum but from the sounds of it you've been through the mill already. I hoe things calm down & improve for Luee soon.

[samwiseg]

Oh no I hope Luee gets better soon x

[tinksmum]

Really hope the meds help & Luee gets better soon xx

[mizloco]

Sorry you have more stress. Hope Luee gets better real quick.

[moonkira *Julie *]

Hope Luee will soon be on the mend x , its so worrying when they are sick .

[Hezz]

Oh dear. The merry-go-round has started up again.

[birdguhl]

Some kind of surreal fairground is a good image for all of this, Hezz. I am reminded of the creations of the Glasgow based Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre:



As the whole thing creaks into life again, it is necessary (for oh-so-many reasons) for me to hold to a realistic position about how much I can do and what may need to be done if things do not go well.

[budgiefriend]

Come on, Luee. Feel better soon.