My 9 month budgie

[Rippanfilo]

My budgie panfilo was born at my house I took care of him as a baby, (backstory)…. About 2 weeks ago I saw he was pooping liquid so I immediately rushed him to emergency. The closes avian doctor near me is 1 hour away. But we made it. They told us he had metal poisoning and showed us the X-rays so he stayed 2 nights to make sure everything was as fine. The next day when I went to pick him up he was looking a lot better but they told us we would have to give him oral medication. The oral medication was supposed to get to me two days later but it ended up being delayed. That’s when I called to let them know and they told me it was important and to go back and get injections. The injection was for 5 days 12 hours apart each. I had to inject him Everything went super good and then when we took him back on Friday they weighed him, he had gain 2 grams back, he was eating playing, chirping and on our way to the vet he fell asleep on my chest and didn’t leave my side till we go there. They told us he looked amazing and that they would take him back to do bloodwork to check if he still had high metal toxics. But after 10 min one of the assistants came back to say he was crashing and gasping for air and they had him on oxygen. Then another min later they came to say he didn’t make it. This absolutely broke my heart because he was only 9months old and was doing so much better. Everything he went thru just to die at the vet killed me. Now I’m trying to understand how everything went bad so quickly. He has gotten bloodwork done before and nothing like this had happen. He was healthy and strong. So I don’t understand how he died. I still have 2 budgies but one has a yeast infection because I got her from petco. But my other one was also born at home. At the moment I don’t want to get anymore birds because my baby dying absolutely devastated me. I’m not sure what I should do for my 4 month budgie. He has been quiet and hasn’t been eating as he used to. I just wanted to ask for advice as how I can improve my care for him and hopefully have him live some long years with me. Loosing another one would kill me. So if you have any tips please let me know I would appreciate it

 

[Zara]

Hello,

I am very sorry for your loss.

These tests that the vets do, the blood draws, being handled by "strangers", even sometimes the car journey can be so stressful on birds so small like budgies that it can be mortal for them. And that just sucks because we need the vets to aid us in their recovery, and the bloodwork can be vital in coming up with a diagnosis and treatment plan. I know there are times when even the vets recommend not running certain tests as it can potentially be fatal.
You did the best you could, and it is just unfortunate that this was the outcome.

I’m trying to understand how everything went bad so quickly

This is another thing for pet birds - when they go downhill, it usually happens quickly.

He has been quiet and hasn’t been eating as he used to.

He could be grieving the loss. Try your best to gently encourage eating. You may want to monitor his weight in the mornings.

I will move your thread for better visibility and so others can reply.

 

[Rippanfilo]

Would you recommend getting another budgie in a few weeks. I’m scared for my little one. He loved Panfilo(my budgie that passed away) he used to follow him everywhere and panfilo would even preen him. My other budgie is only 4 months so he is still a baby. Thank you for replying.

 

[Rippanfilo]

I don’t want to get a bird anytime soon I’m giving myself time to heal. But I don’t want my baby budgie to feel lonely

 

[Respect]

Have you identified the source of the heavy metal poisoning? I think it would be good to make sure the same thing can’t happen again.

If your boy seems lonely and not eating as much, sometimes playing sounds or music for them can make them feel less lonely and perk them up.

If you want to get another bird, do it when you’re ready and able to make that commitment.

I’m so sorry for your loss

 

[Rippanfilo]

Have you identified the source of the heavy metal poisoning? I think it would be good to make sure the same thing can’t happen again.

If your boy seems lonely and not eating as much, sometimes playing sounds or music for them can make them feel less lonely and perk them up.

If you want to get another bird, do it when you’re ready and able to make that commitment.

I’m so sorry for your loss

I have not. On Friday when everything happened I wasn’t thinking straight. I did call back to ask if we can still find out what metal it was. I did get informed that the reason he passed was because of the bloodwork itself not the metal he had. Which absolutely makes me sad because he was getting better.

 

[Aestatis]

I'm sorry for your loss. It's so tough with this little guys. Please take comfort in knowing you valued his life and loved him.

I don't have a ton of budgie experience, but they do seem to like friends, and since your other bird is young it would probably be easy enough to find a bird around his age give or take a few years. That said, there is nothing wrong with waiting if you think your heart can't bear it yet.

My perspective is this: Even if your bird is lonely, you shouldn't get him a friend yet while the pain is fresh. You also don't need to be 100% "over" the death of your bird in order to be ready for the next one. It's ok to still been in mourning as long as you can treat the new bird as an individual. I think you'll know when you find yourself at the bird store (or looking online) and you are considering which bird might be "the one".

 

[Rippanfilo]

I'm sorry for your loss. It's so tough with this little guys. Please take comfort in knowing you valued his life and loved him.

I don't have a ton of budgie experience, but they do seem to like friends, and since your other bird is young it would probably be easy enough to find a bird around his age give or take a few years. That said, there is nothing wrong with waiting if you think your heart can't bear it yet.

My perspective is this: Even if your bird is lonely, you shouldn't get him a friend yet while the pain is fresh. You also don't need to be 100% "over" the death of your bird in order to be ready for the next one. It's ok to still been in mourning as long as you can treat the new bird as an individual. I think you'll know when you find yourself at the bird store (or looking online) and you are considering which bird might be "the one".

I appreciate your kind words. Thank you it truly means a lot.