Is sedation needed for leg band removal?

[Carp5699]

I called the vet for my budgie because his leg band managed to slip up to his ankle and had begun to swell up. The avian vet there said they would need to sedate him so they could take it off and asked for an estimate. He's a bit feisty, but is sedating him necessary for the band removal? I also don't know what the estimated cost of sedation is.

 

[Mizzely]

I've definitely heard of vets sedating for that. They are so small and a wrong move with the Dremel could seriously injure your bird.

 

[~Drini~]

My bird was sedated for leg band removal. Anesthesia was $130, band removal was $50 (vet in Virginia, US).

 

[April]

I've had 2 bands removed one on a Green cheek Conure and one on a Linnie. The Linnies was a cheaply made one that was only barely half closed so that was easy enough to remove with bare hands by the vet. My Green cheeks was tighter but still was able to be removed awake and the pliers used but my vet did warn me of the risks of being awake while it was being done and how her leg could be broken but she was being so calm that she was willing to try and all went well.

But especially on a bird so small and feisty I'd personally chose sedation for it if it was my budgie.

 

[Kassiani]

I had Opie's band removed during a regular exam. He had to be sedated for x-rays and bloodwork. The band was removed while he was still under. It was a closed band and had to be sawed off.

 

[Shezbug]

My bird was sedated so there was no accidental slips of tools or moving of the leg, he was also microchipped at the same time. I have heard of some breeders and vets removing split rings with no sedation but I have not heard of a slipped band, problem band or solid/closed band being removed without sedation- it is simply safer for the vet to work without the worry of moving the leg too much.

 

[PeterNPipe]

My green cheek Peter came with a band but our other green cheek Piper liked it and didn't seem to understand it couldn't come off so that he could play with it... So we asked our vet to take it off. They didn't sedate Peter, but instead stuck a tongue depressor between the band and the leg. Using a drimmel they then took it off. No problems thankfully. I'm guessing it is based on comfort level/experience of the vet with this procedure as to if they sedate or not.

 

[flyzipper]

Jericho is bigger and the work also included a microchip along with band removal, but his was $312.44 CAD and included sedation.