Need advice after avian vet visit

[lemonade]

Hi there,

This morning my husband called me at work to say he got woken by our 3 youngest budgies flapping around their cage. They seemed to have been spooked. 2 quickly calmed down and returned to normal behaviour, but our smallest bird escaped and was flying into walls and doors in a blind panic. My husband managed to get him onto his his little wooden stick (he doesn't like hands) and he was trying to soothe and calm him, but he seemed to be in a trance and would not respond. The was panting, gasping and his tail bobbing up and down. I rang the avian vet, who is the most reputable avain vet in Scotland, who told us to bring the bird in straight away. After looking at him and giving him pain relief as he had hurt his wing they told us that he was too agitated and not calming down so they thought it would be best taking him home to familiar surroundings.
However he is constantly moving his head side to side and looking upwards and won't stop doing this. He doesn't seem to be able to see properly and I am so worried about him. The edges of the bottom of his cere are red and this head moving constantly and the panting just won't stop. He hasn't eaten or drank anything since this happened. He doesn't seem to know we are there. He is currently in another room with us,  in a half covered cage, quiet, and away from the other birds. 

I don't know what is wrong, and scared he will die. I am so disappointed that the vet sent us away and couldn't tell us what was wrong except for agitation. 

Has anyone had a similar experience that could offer any advice? Also what is the best way to keep him hydrated and eating when he is like this? 

Thanks

[budgiefriend]

I don't have any answers for you, but I hope the little one has calmed down and is returning to normal. He must have been so scared. Hugs to all of you.

[mizloco]

I'm so sorry this has happened and you all must be very worried. One of mine flew into the wall when the phone rang underneath where he was flying and frightened him. He then flew across and into another wall and landed on the floor very distressed and dazed. He then flew away from me as I tried to help him into the cage but then sat still for a couple of hours moving his head back and forth and I was really worried and panicking. After a couple of hours he seemed to get his bearings again and went back in the cage. I think he had concussion as we would have if we hit our head but he is right as reign now. I hope yours perks up and gets his bearings too.

[nat]

He may have a severe concussion. You are doing the right thing keeping him separate, warm and out of draughts. Its important to get some fluid into him. Can you try and feed him some body temperature water via a small syringe? Just offer a drop to the side of his beak rather than try syringe it into him as this would cause him to choke.

He doesn't need to be left not drinking and eating for too long, and as the weekend is coming up and the vets will probably be shut, I would either pick up a small 1 ml syringe from them tomorrow morning so you can get some fluid into him, or if he's still not eating they might be able to take him in so he can be fed via the crop. This will depend if they have a weekend nurse that can crop feed.

If he hasn't drunk all day and you don't have a syringe to hand right now, just gently dunk the 'his' right side of his beak into some water.

[Hezz]

I like what Nat has advised. I was going to suggest keeping him as contained as possible, covered and warm. He certainly needs fluid. Some cooled, weak black tea or chamomile tea may help calm him down as well.

I really don't think there was more that the vet could do except maybe give him a crop feed.

[mizloco]

How is he today?

[lemonade]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. I rang back the vet and asked to speak to the owner of the practice, who I know is the one with most avian experience, but he travels about a lot tending to sick and injured parrots. It wasn't him who seen my budgie but one of his other vets. Anyway, I told him I wasn't happy with his condition and that we got sent away feeling helpless. I also wasn't too happy with the fact the vet who seem him kept referring to him as a 'her' when an avian vet should know better!
After explaining all symptoms to him he told me it sounded like severe concussion with some kind of brain damage. We took the little one back in again and he has been put in a little incubator for warmth and respite. They are going to get fluids and food into him with a syringe.
The vet was blunt, he told us his condition is very worrying and his chances are not good. He said once the head moving starts that is a sign of brain damage. He also cracked his cere which is why it was so red.
I am absolutely devastated. I've been crying all night and hoping and praying he does manage to get better. My budgies are my world and this one was a little sweetheart.
We have to ring the vet back in half an hour to get an update on his condition so I will know more then

[Deleted]

Awww, I'm so sorry he's so sick. Hope he pulls through, at least he has you to do the right thing and get the help he needs. Well done.

[OP]

Sorry to hear that Lemonade, my thoughts are with you and your budgie.

[birdguhl]

Really sorry - very distressing. All good wishes for him to pull through.

[lemonade]

Aug 3, 2013 9:40:21 GMT birdguhl said:

Really sorry - very distressing. All good wishes for him to pull through.

Hi birdghul, just out of curiosity, your location in Scotland. What avain vet do you use for your birds? I go to Lawrie practice as it is recommended by most bird people I have came across in Central Scotland, but I would be prepared to travel if I knew of any others specialising in birds

[sweetpea]

Fingers, toes & wings crossed here for your little one's recovery.

[mizloco]

I really hope your little one gets better. Positive vibes coming your way.

[Moogie]

So so sorry xx
Please keep us updated and we are ALL sending the best of vibes to your little one x

[birdguhl]

Lemonade, I've taken mine to the Exotics Dept of Dick Vet's (Ed Uni vet school) in Edinburgh (well just south of Edinburgh, near Penicuik). Being a vet school it has state of the art equipment and expertise, inpatient facilities and out of hours service. I think the prices are quite reasonable from what I've heard about other vets' charges too. Where is Lawrie's?