An odd title, I know, but I am thrilled to report that Kelp likely has arthritis in her right hip. I've made modifications to her cage a few weeks ago: http://forums.avianavenue.com/special-needs-crossing/38489-anything-else-help.html and she is slipping and falling much less frequently now.
Her appointment with the vet was just a couple of days ago. Getting her in wasn't an 'emergency' per se, even though I thought she had a potentially life-threatening problem. I lost one budgie, Spray, to a kidney tumor almost exactly four years ago, and this looked just the same. Kelp was knocked out for some radiographs (X-rays) and it looks like her hip joint is big and abnormally shaped, something that is a sign of chronic arthritis. No kidney or ovarian tumors were seen, which is excellent. It doesn't mean that she does not have cancer, but it gives me hope that her lameness is just from the pain in that hip and not a tumor pressing on the nerves.
She's getting oral Metacam daily now, and she already seems a bit more comfortable and lively. All in all, excellent news since I was expecting to have to make some difficult decisions very soon with her. Not that arthritis is fun, not by any means, and her comfort is of utmost importance, but at least it is something that looks like it's going to be manageable, at least for now. She's not thrilled about the meds, but so far is taking them without a fuss or any stressing. She just nibbles at the syringe while I hold her and slowly press the plunger.
Her appointment with the vet was just a couple of days ago. Getting her in wasn't an 'emergency' per se, even though I thought she had a potentially life-threatening problem. I lost one budgie, Spray, to a kidney tumor almost exactly four years ago, and this looked just the same. Kelp was knocked out for some radiographs (X-rays) and it looks like her hip joint is big and abnormally shaped, something that is a sign of chronic arthritis. No kidney or ovarian tumors were seen, which is excellent. It doesn't mean that she does not have cancer, but it gives me hope that her lameness is just from the pain in that hip and not a tumor pressing on the nerves.
She's getting oral Metacam daily now, and she already seems a bit more comfortable and lively. All in all, excellent news since I was expecting to have to make some difficult decisions very soon with her. Not that arthritis is fun, not by any means, and her comfort is of utmost importance, but at least it is something that looks like it's going to be manageable, at least for now. She's not thrilled about the meds, but so far is taking them without a fuss or any stressing. She just nibbles at the syringe while I hold her and slowly press the plunger.
A couple of the others, especially Sun, seem to like playing on them though, so it's not a waste.