r/pidgeypower

I have posted before but just wanted to post a new update on my disabled bird Moniker. First off, after some bloodwork we were able to determine that Moniker is a little lady! For a little backstory, my partner and I adopted Moniker from my place of employment. I work in wildlife rescue and Moniker was a resident that was deemed unreleasable due to a severe spinal injury that caused complete loss of leg function- so I decided to adopt her. I figured that with some more one on one work and some extra space she might be able to see some improvement. She had also spent her entire life in the wild and so there was some question as to how happy she would actually be long term in captivity (this turned out to definitely NOT be an issue lol). It has been quite a journey but we are approaching the one year mark in her new home and she has continually amazed me with her progress. She has regained a TON of function in her legs and has a completely new lease on life! She is an absolute love bug and an irreplaceable part of our family!

First video is first day home with us, the rest are recent days!

Im about to go back home now.

I had to leave Olive at the vets. They cant do blood test today but its tomorrow, they suggested i leave him because i cant take him in morning because im very busy and can bring him in after 5pm only. They've taken a poo sample and looks normal. They will also crop feed tonight.

He dropped from 52g to 39g in a week. He just about met the amount needed for blood test. Vet is worried if he loses more weight she cant do blood test (higher risk). He started eating from yesterday but is very picky. He ate only the canary seed and oat groats and before that he wouldn't even eat at all. Yesterday was the first time i saw his old self returning and today too a little bit, a little chirpier.

The blood test is £260 + however much the poo sample was plus consult. Im looking to pay £400+ tomorrow because I didnt take his medicines with me today i just didnt know I'd have to leave him behind, and she said they'll have to charge for that again now🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

This is what I mean, these costs are ridiculous and unpredictable. I thought I'd be fine after raising £600 but I guess not🫤 Not to mention his xray in two weeks which is another £152 oh my god. And I just deposited another £100 into the vet fund account myself. I only had £54 left in the vet fund bank so I cant thank yall ENOUGH! The reason im able to do this is because of you guys.

Unfortunately I will have to continue fundraising because again I have no idea what will happen next. Please share my link, thank you all again😭❤️‍🩹

https://gofund.me/efd34081a

I wish he was just able to eat properly at the very least, that would've sold most of our problems.

I have to syringe feed the emeraid formula and he doesnt have much of it, he definitely has some because I noticed better changes in droppings but it gets so messy and he trembles afterwards because of fear.

Those who dont know, in about 2 weeks time he is due for a repeat XRAY which is £150+ and they'll charge consultation too im guessing (£70) and then thats when im thinking about asking about infection tests like faecal (gram stain) and bloods which will cost more. The reason im not testing for infections right now is because there's no dangerous signs and I will likely have to pay for ANOTHER consultation (£70) plus the one in 2 weeks. Everyone who donated thank you so much❤️, all of it will be going towards the medical bills for the vets, i dont know what i could've done without everyone's help. One of the vets suggested hospitalisation but that would be ridiculously expensive. Hes still eating but not properly so if the vets have to crop feed that would have to be a few times a day, and I'd have to go back and forth every single day which is a 2hour commute. and if im not sure if u can leave him at the vets till hes better but even that would be crazy expensive

Im not sure why he isnt eating properly or if the metal is still bothering him but thats why we were given a chelator medicine, its only been 6 days since hes been on it. He does crush the food, ive seen pellets dust but im not sure if hes swallowing enough of it.

How did he go from the healthiest bird to this condition in a matter of days. I made sure to give them the best life I possibly could and then this happened. The last time I was this stressed was when my other budgie who is still with us hurt her foot, it was quite expensive and I managed it all myself without telling anybody but at least she was able to eat and rest it. His one just seems so scary you never know what could happen🤕

https://gofund.me/1b04f42c4

All vets are fricking closed today due to bank Holiday. Im getting all brain foggy and panicking now. Ive been searching for an avian vet for a while and my exotic is closed.

My only option now is an emergency clinic but its a cats and dogs clinic not for birds really. I took my other bird to that one last time for a different issue but they didnt really do anything and just prescribed metacam and the total was ridiculous.

Im really not sure what to do now, hes throwing up occasionally or at least once he starts eating. They likely will just stabilise him but I doubt they'd treat it. Please help. What should I do? Should I still just go there now? its about an hour drive and they keep us for hours and I'll have to keep my other budgie at home which has separation anxiety

I havent posted on this sub before but I think we belong here? If you want more history I'll attach links to the posts and you can find more on r/birdhealth long story short, my strong lil man is battling metal toxicity and is being treated for it. We have been to the vets and emergency clinic and now falling short for further tests.

I have finally decided it i need to set up a fundraiser for him because im not giving up and neither is he

Gofundme

Hi everyone!

First of all I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone, whether you donated, sent a positive message or even shared my link, thank you❤️‍🩹 I am honestly so grateful, I would've never expected this level of support ever! I have paused the fundraiser for now as this amount should definitely be enough now. I just hope the next xray doesnt show anything bad. Olive is a lot happier, thank you from both me and him❤️🦜

The vet told me yesterday that it will be well over £400. Today's bill came to £383, I was expecting a lot more. They definitely fed this boy well (crop feed), I couldn't even grab him as quick as I usually do because he was full of energy, but is now very tired, (the grab was for giving medicine). I think the reason bill didnt come as high was because they couldnt do the heavy metal tests because of being anemic, and only did the standard bloodwork.

He's still quite frail and looks so small. His weight is still very low at (39g) he dropped 20% of weight in a week, so that's what we will be working on slowly, while also treating the metal toxicity with his prescription medicine. I was told to use grit in small amounts for a few weeks because the metal is still in the gizzard.

And then in 2 weeks time, we need to be back at the vets again for a checkup and the xray to see if the metal has left or still causing a blockage. Im not sure if it will be necessary to do another blood test for heavy metals this time, when I go for the next check up. Maybe we could test that after the xray, or whatever procedure is best but xray will definitely be next.

I really hope this metal leaves his body and toxicity decreases so that he is able to return to his old chirpy and energetic self, because its affected him so bad, hes a completely different bird now compared to how he once was.

Once again, thank you to each and every single person who has been supporting us from the very beginning and also my new supporters❤️🫂 I cant thank you guys enough. Olive has been so brave and thanks to you guys, I actually have the chance to bring him back stronger and watch him recover. Thank you❤️❤️‍🩹🫂🦜🙏

Just got a call saying they've done Olive's blood test, they couldn't get enough for the heavy metal tests but she is certain hes got metal toxicity. Blood test detected anemia and she said something about the liver but isnt worried and hes all good. I will get the medical history for you guys.

My vet suggested grit for the metal. Anyone else who's bird suffered from metal toxicity could you share your experience? She said to use a very tiny amount of grit. I will ask again when im there but how long would grit likely be safe to use for? And she said to continue with the penicillamine. The course for this ends in 2 weeks. So I really hope we get some good news from the xray when this is over.

Hello,

Firstly I have already contacted the vets, I just want to know if anyone has had this experience while I wait for them to get back to me.

My cockatiel (Jerry) will always have bumblefoot. He is two and his entire life he has always rested on his bad foot, even at its worst. It has never bothered him. I don't think he feels alot it.

Last week his foot went black (picture on the left, not necorosis), he's been on antibiotics since then. Additionally, anti inflammatory and pain medication long term. It has been getting better (picture on the right) but now he seems like he is in discomfort for the first time despite the progress. And he laid down for the first time when he usually perches on his bad foot.

Has anyone else seen seen increased discomfort before despite appearing like it is getting better?

Hi everyone, I have some good news. Today he started eating some seeds again, he was *very* picky about it, but im glad he still ate something, his weight has dropped significantly in just a week, so i will be discussing this too with the vet. Because of your kindness and the money I have set aside, I believe we now have enough to cover the costs and the initial tests. Im planning to do the blood test and faecal gram stain at his next appointment.

If anyone has any other test recommendations please let me know, and i will ask about those too. Because as soon as he shows me his improvement and making me happy he just crashes again, (lethargy, eating less, trembling). Like I noticed abit of tail bobbing too and had to instantly book an appointment. Its not bad but mild and noticeable.

In 2 weeks time he is due for a repeat xray to see if the metal is still there, so ultimately we wont know much of his outcome until that day. But i will still keep you all posted. Someone suggested calcium EDTA injections. My vet said the penicillamine should help him for now. If the xray does show us bad news then the injections is what will likely be happening next.

Thank you all for your support❤️

trying to talk with sweet little jewel

He loves hanging in the light.....and pooping.....and keeping an eye on dad 😍

I have a crossbeak pigeon (in photo) and ive been making him custom pellets for over a year now made from seed, vitamins, water, and mineral supplements. However its kind of tedious work without machinery and I was wondering if anyone knows of large pellet brands above 0.25 inch? Harrison is stupid expensive and no other brand seems to be that large. I was considering buying small machinery and selling pellets as a side hustle since most pellets are corn anyway, but i wanted to see alternatives since there probably isnt a big market for it haha. Thanks!