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  • This forum is for advice about initial treatment given to your injured/sick bird until a qualified avian veterinarian is available.
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Urgent Heavy Metal Poisoning in Budgie?

Petepete

Moving in
Joined
7/3/24
Messages
14
Hello.
My 1 year old budgie is currently hospitalized at the vet, X-ray found particles of something in her gizzard (we think it's paint as we just noticed paint chipped from the windowsill) her symptoms were pooping water, leg weakness on left leg then both legs, poofiness, not perching. She was eating and drinking still even today when I took her in to vet.

Symptoms of weak leg started Monday but we noticed her vomit Saturday along with poofiness. I believe this is when we noticed the paint missing as well. The vets plan is to pull the toxins out with metamucil and give fluid therapy and gout medication. She's in the best place possible now, but I'm just seeing if anyone has experienced toxic poisoning in their budgie or smaller parrot and what was the quality of life like if they survived? I'm so scared and sad. The symptoms came on quickly. Did we wait too late? She seemed happy and fine Sunday and Monday morning until Monday afternoon when I noticed her not able to put weight on her left foot.
 

expressmailtome

Ripping up the road
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Joined
4/15/10
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51,022
Real Name
Matthew
Firstly, I am very sorry. Secondly, unfortunately, the effects of HMP are frequently intense and can be fatal if not caught soon enough. With that said, only your veterinarian can say how quickly that it was caught. However, even if it was caught "quickly", "too late" can depend on the specific bird as well. By that, I mean that your bird's prior health will play a role in this.
 

Petepete

Moving in
Joined
7/3/24
Messages
14
Thanks for replying. So far it looks like she is responding to treatment. Her uric acid levels are coming down and X-ray shows the particles passing out of her. I am likely going to get her tomorrow. I have an incubator for her and will have meds to give her. Possibly meds for life we don't know the extent of the damage yet. I'm honestly still so nervous for her.
 
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