How much hope is there for birds with heart disease?

Kassiani · 9/12/22

Awww, Widget! I'm sorry he has to go through that, but know the information is so important. My Opie gets easily bruised on his shoulders sometimes when he has to be toweled because he has no feathers there to act as a cushion. I notice that Widget is a bit thin in the feather department around his neck--maybe that's why he gets bruised?

I'm so glad he recovered fairly quickly and pray for good results!

AGS · 9/13/22

I’m not sure if that contributes but the bruising is from when they draw blood. It’s very scary looking but this time is actually not as bad as last time, it didn’t seem sore when he was toweled for his medicine tonight. He is going to sleep well tonight though that’s for sure.

Fecal came back normal by the way, still waiting for the bloodwork results.

AGS · 9/13/22

Can Widget have a mini pumpkin for fall? If so does it have to be cooked first? I wouldn’t let him eat too much although I’m not sure if he would even be interested because he’s usually scared of big food.

AGS · 9/13/22

Got some good news! Even better than his last bloodwork.

Kassiani · 9/13/22

I buy something called a pie pumpkin. The mini pumpkins are often coated with something that isn’t made to be eaten because they are mostly just decorative. Pie pumpkins are a bit larger than the minis, but not as big as a carving pumpkin.

And hurray Widget!!

AGS · 9/13/22

Ohh okay, I’m glad I asked first! I had no idea.

AGS · 9/15/22

SunTruth · 9/15/22

It is very good for Widget and you, and he looks so cute

AGS · 9/15/22

Thank you!

AGS · 10/3/22

So Widget’s play gym I posted before has kind of deep holes for the screws and I put a pinch of seeds in one and he got so happy trying to get the seeds out. So I got him this foraging perch from Lil Monsters and wow. He normally is a bit scared of new toys/perches even if he is really curious. This time he hopped on it right away and started eating. I wonder if there’s anything else I could put in it besides seeds/nutriberries/avicakes? Maybe his freeze dried veggies too.

Kassiani · 10/3/22

Awww! Look at Widget go! Auntie @Mizzely does good work!

SunTruth · 10/3/22

He seems quite fascinated with this food and how to get it

AGS · 10/3/22

Yes Widget loves Lil Monsters! I can’t believe I used to buy toys on Amazon (plus it was always nerve wracking trying to find ones that were safe).

AGS · 4/10/23

Widget is still doing well. He’s an amazing little bird. And his 6th gotcha day is next month.

AGS · 2/25/24

Guess who it is

Widget is still doing well. At this point I think we can say there definitely is hope for birds with heart disease.

April · 2/25/24

AGS said:
Guess who it is Widget is still doing well. At this point I think we can say there definitely is hope for birds with heart disease.
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Aw this makes me so happy,that he's continuing to thrive. :heart:

Kassiani · 2/26/24

Such great news!!!! You are a handsome bird, Widget :heart:

Pritz · 9/9/24

I am mesmerized by your story, my Sonny was diagnosed back in July and we are still having good and bad days. Widget and you have given me so much hope…. Sonny has so many of the same symptoms Widget had. I pray that one day Sonny will be more energetic. He sleeps a lot during the day and I’m just not sure how much exercise is too much. It’s the most saddest thing, one day flying around like a jet fighter pilot and the next day no longer able to whistle or fly. I never saw anything like this. I remember when his vet diagnosed this I did not believe her, I was sure something was wrong with his syrinx and couldn’t figure out why he was so itchy. Anyways, thank you for your story, you have given me hope.

AGS · 9/9/24

I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope Sonny will improve with time. In my experience with Widget, it takes time for them to adjust to feeling more tired. Even once the medicine worked for Widget, he was still pretty tired. But eventually he got used to his new energy levels and now can play, whistle, etc. It’s a shock to them too when they suddenly feel bad, but animals are very good at adjusting.

Pritz · 9/11/24

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I’d just about given up until I read your journey.

How much hope is there for birds with heart disease?

Biking along the boulevard

Sprinting down the street

Sprinting down the street

Sprinting down the street

Biking along the boulevard

Sprinting down the street

Sprinting down the street

Sprinting down the street

Sprinting down the street

Sprinting down the street

Biking along the boulevard

Sprinting down the street

Sprinting down the street

Sprinting down the street

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Ripping up the road

Biking along the boulevard

Sitting on the front steps

Sprinting down the street

Sitting on the front steps