How to mitigate stress from vet trip?

[SchwuggieLove]

Is there any good way to help my (12 y/o) baby be less stressed when I have to towel him or take him to the vet? The vet is over 30 minutes away, and I know it will be a traumatic experience for him. He's been to a couple vets before, but it was years ago.


He has droppings stuck to his vent, he's been spending more time fluffed up, been relatively lethargic, and was having issues with his poop (first bigger and wetter, now closer to normal but not quite there, and they are sticking more). He has started breathing harder as well (deeper breaths and a sound sometimes that is almost like a clock ticking).

He's eating fine, perching fine, and his feathers are perfect apart from his vent. He's still flying but does seem a little more clumsy than usual, which I'm thinking is because of the poop issue causing him to be imbalanced. And I know they're annoying him because he keeps trying to preen or kick off the droppings, but he just can't quite reach. I tried to get him to take a bath, but he specifically avoiding putting his butt in. I need to clean it for him, but I'm dreading betraying his trust by grabbing and restraining him.

Also, same concern with taking to the vet. Right now he's uncomfortable but still still at least feels safe and cozy, and is spending time "cuddling" on my shoulder. After I do this, he won't feel as safe or relaxed, which can't be great for his recovery either

I just want to figure out how to help his physical health with as little damage to his mental health as I can...

He's bonded to me but only started stepping up less than a year ago. He's actually been stepping up more frequently since he's been feeling sick, but probably because he's just preferring it to flying in some cases.

 

[Sparkles99]

My budgies dislike travel. They don’t like it at the vet, but the ones who turned out to be sick seem to dislike it the most. I completely cover the travel cage with a draping blanket.

 

[Danita]

Yes, completely cover cage, what they can't see won't scare them.

My budgies dislike travel. They don’t like it at the vet, but the ones who turned out to be sick seem to dislike it the most. I completely cover the travel cage with a draping blanket.

 

[SchwuggieLove]

I completely cover the travel cage with a draping blanket.

Yes, completely cover cage, what they can't see won't scare them.

Thank you! I'll plan to do this. It seems counterintuitive to me because I'd feel safer knowing what's around me! I'm also thinking about having my husband drive so I can sit in the back with the little guy and peek in on him/reassure him if needed!

 

[Rebel]

My budgies dislike travel. They don’t like it at the vet, but the ones who turned out to be sick seem to dislike it the most. I completely cover the travel cage with a draping blanket.

Me and B have been on several journeys to the vet. 2 hours each way. She likes to see the world outside.

 

[Rebel]

Thank you! I'll plan to do this. It seems counterintuitive to me because I'd feel safer knowing what's around me! I'm also thinking about having my husband drive so I can sit in the back with the little guy and peek in on him/reassure him if needed!

I talk to my birds alot as we’re going down the road.

 

[SchwuggieLove]

I talk to my birds alot as we’re going down the road.

I did do this. I was able to have my husband drive so I could talk to my baby. I had 3 sides of his cage covered, only leaving open the one facing me, and I talked or sang to him the entire trip. He calmed down but mostly was still frozen.

On the way home it was dark, and I was still talking to him but he started freaking out at one point. I turned on the light so he could see my face, and he calmed down. But I could see almost an instant relaxation in his body as soon as we stepped back into our apartment! He was so relieved to be home.

 

[Rebel]

I did do this. I was able to have my husband drive so I could talk to my baby. I had 3 sides of his cage covered, only leaving open the one facing me, and I talked or sang to him the entire trip. He calmed down but mostly was still frozen.

On the way home it was dark, and I was still talking to him but he started freaking out at one point. I turned on the light so he could see my face, and he calmed down. But I could see almost an instant relaxation in his body as soon as we stepped back into our apartment! He was so relieved to be home.

Im glad all went well.
What did your vet have to say?

 

[SchwuggieLove]

Im glad all went well.
What did your vet have to say?

It was a 24hr ER vet.. Very young and he admitted he's more familiar with lizards, but did his best, and consulted with someone. He said it seems to be trauma to his abdomen and likely bruising on his lungs could be causing the hard breathing. He has night frights sometimes, increasing over the past couple years along with some symptoms of aging. So I'm thinking he maybe hurt himself from that..

They tried putting him in an incubator with oxygen, but honestly his breathing got even worse because it was pretty soundproof and he couldn't hear me anymore. Later they let me leave it open for that reason and just put the nebulizer hose right up to his cage.

I didn't think any extra testing (X-ray, blood) was worth the risk but they gave me some syringes of an anti-inflammatory. They said I could stay overnight with him there in case he needed oxygen, or take him home where he'd be more comfortable, and I opted for the latter.

Vet said he's not sure he'll make it through the next 24hrs but staying was also no guarantee of course, and he was panting more there even with oxygen than he does here at home. I was up with him a couple times in the night and woke up from every sound.

I'm not sure if he'll make it... His little body is so weak, and he's 12, which I'm sure isn't helping. But if he doesn't, I want it to be in a place that feels safe and familiar to him. My heart would be crushed to lose him but I don't want him to suffer. So I hope with all my heart he recovers, but if not I hope he goes peacefully, with me there talking and singing to him.


(Sorry, that's long)

 

[Sparkles99]

Thinking of you guys & your family.

 

[Rebel]

It was a 24hr ER vet.. Very young and he admitted he's more familiar with lizards, but did his best, and consulted with someone. He said it seems to be trauma to his abdomen and likely bruising on his lungs could be causing the hard breathing. He has night frights sometimes, increasing over the past couple years along with some symptoms of aging. So I'm thinking he maybe hurt himself from that..

They tried putting him in an incubator with oxygen, but honestly his breathing got even worse because it was pretty soundproof and he couldn't hear me anymore. Later they let me leave it open for that reason and just put the nebulizer hose right up to his cage.

I didn't think any extra testing (X-ray, blood) was worth the risk but they gave me some syringes of an anti-inflammatory. They said I could stay overnight with him there in case he needed oxygen, or take him home where he'd be more comfortable, and I opted for the latter.

Vet said he's not sure he'll make it through the next 24hrs but staying was also no guarantee of course, and he was panting more there even with oxygen than he does here at home. I was up with him a couple times in the night and woke up from every sound.

I'm not sure if he'll make it... His little body is so weak, and he's 12, which I'm sure isn't helping. But if he doesn't, I want it to be in a place that feels safe and familiar to him. My heart would be crushed to lose him but I don't want him to suffer. So I hope with all my heart he recovers, but if not I hope he goes peacefully, with me there talking and singing to him.


(Sorry, that's long)

Im sorry to hear that about your little guy.
I would have made the same choices as you. I hope the meds help him.
Will be thinking about you.

 

[Rebel]

How is your bird doing?

 

[SchwuggieLove]

How is your bird doing?

Sadly he passed away Friday night. By then I knew it was coming and planned to stay up with him as long as needed. I went and sat with him as soon as I got off work and it was around 6 and a half hours of me holding and singing and talking to him before he went. He passed in my hands with me singing his usual goodnight song.

I'm absolutely devastated and heartbroken but grateful for the 12 wonderful years together. I'm glad he's no longer suffering, and that I was able to be with him and make sure he felt loved and safe till the end.

I keep thinking I'm seeing him or talking to him or hearing him still. In over 12 years - my entire adult life! - I've never not had him there. I'm glad it was the weekend so I could spend the weekend grieving and reminiscing with my husband, though I'm really not looking forward to tomorrow... I'm thinking of ways to memorialize him now and keep him always close

I knew he was a huge part of my life, but I think I'm realizing even more now. Because every single little thing reminds me of him. Everything I do, I start to talk to him or expect him to be part of it. It means constant painful reminders but also means we had a lot of love and life together. And I hope I keep finding random feathers and seed hulls in everything for many years to come!

 

[SchwuggieLove]

I would have made the same choices as you.

Also, thank you for this! I'm sure every time someone loses a beloved bird they must wonder if they could have done something differently. So this was honestly reassuring to me.

I hope the meds help him.

I don't think it did very much for him.. I started just giving some dose on his millet so he would get at least some without me stressing him by restraining him. But then he was declining so fast and barely eating anyway that I just didn't bother. I knew it was the end so I'd rather he be comfortable and be able to trust me, rather than try to push meds. (Also it's supposed to be taken with food and he was eating so little, I was afraid it would make him sick and worsen things).

I'm just glad he felt safe with me. It took a day after the vet before he was less jumpy with me. He finally let me pick him up on my finger and he just leaned against my face because his feet weren't working right anymore. Later I was holding him most of the night, keeping him warm and cozy in my hands. Occasionally he would want to hop down and waddle around on the floor, though it became increasingly difficult for him. But then he would come back over to me and lay his head against my hand/arm/foot until I picked him up, and then he'd nuzzle his head back into my hand. So I know that I was a source of comfort for him and that makes me happy.

 

[Emma&pico]

I am so so sorry for your loss

 

[Sparkles99]

 

[Rebel]

Sadly he passed away Friday night. By then I knew it was coming and planned to stay up with him as long as needed. I went and sat with him as soon as I got off work and it was around 6 and a half hours of me holding and singing and talking to him before he went. He passed in my hands with me singing his usual goodnight song.

I'm absolutely devastated and heartbroken but grateful for the 12 wonderful years together. I'm glad he's no longer suffering, and that I was able to be with him and make sure he felt loved and safe till the end.

I keep thinking I'm seeing him or talking to him or hearing him still. In over 12 years - my entire adult life! - I've never not had him there. I'm glad it was the weekend so I could spend the weekend grieving and reminiscing with my husband, though I'm really not looking forward to tomorrow... I'm thinking of ways to memorialize him now and keep him always close

I knew he was a huge part of my life, but I think I'm realizing even more now. Because every single little thing reminds me of him. Everything I do, I start to talk to him or expect him to be part of it. It means constant painful reminders but also means we had a lot of love and life together. And I hope I keep finding random feathers and seed hulls in everything for many years to come!

Oh no. Im so sorry to hear this.
He was very fortunate to have you.
Birds are such special creatures.

 

[Finchbreed]

So sorry for your loss. At 12yrs of age you can know you gave him a nice long life for a budgie.

 

[SchwuggieLove]

Thank you all! I appreciate the support.

I'm trying to remind myself that it was definitely among the better ways he could have gone. He was getting older and slower but he still had good quality of life up till his last 4 days. Even the morning of his last day he was still able to fly, albeit a very short distance. I'm grateful for that! But I do miss my baby.

 

[Iluvbirds~]

I sincerely very sorry for your loss. I know what is feels like to lose a beloved feathered friend like yours. But one thing to remember is that even in these heartbroken times, we should appreciate the life and time spent with your budgie. All the good moments and even sad ones. Because in the end, life is something to appreciate. Even in the tough times! Stay Strong in this time! Always Remember what you did for your feathered friend, and also you are going to see him one day in heaven again!

~The Flock