Bird admitted to vet.....might need gas....

T-rev · 19-05-2010 9:13am #1

Have a hand-reared bird, and its v sick. Getting blood tests done today but might need gas so the vet can take an x-ray if she doesnt stay still.

I signed the form giving permission but I really dont know if I want it to ahead later. The vet said she will call me before anything goes ahead.

Has anyone any experience of this?

Its a kakariki, prob no bigger than a really large budgie.

Wisco · 19-05-2010 9:31am

Well the only way to get a good xray is for the bird to be still and gas anaesthesia is probably the safest for a bird. If you're not happy, you could go to an exotics specialist (Bairbre O'Malley) but she may tell you the same. taking an xray where the bird is moving would probably be next to useless. Hope it turns out ok for you.

T-rev · 19-05-2010 9:38am

Its actually in with Bairbre. Should I just go ahead with it, not really fair leaving the bird sick? Just dont want her to die, the other kak would be gutted without her.

Feargal as Luimneach · 19-05-2010 12:30pm

You can sellotape them down. Put them on their back, extend out wings, legs and sellotape them to the table.They remain quite still. No expert with birds but it worked X-Raying a buzzard and a long eared owl. Never tried it with a small bird.

T-rev · 19-05-2010 3:33pm

Dont think they would do that tho, could be classed as cruel. I'll wait and speak to the Vet later today. Don't think I am going to risk it though.

Sigma Force · 19-05-2010 11:04pm

I know it's a tough one but Bairbre knows what she's doing. Taping the bird down could stress the bird out more than an anesthetic but if the bird is really in she might stay still enough anyway.

The gas would be just for a very short time, although it's worrying even with a reasonably healthy bird it is the safest method. If your bird is very ill it would be better to risk the anesthetic than allow the bird to suffer and not be able to treat her or him.

I've had a cockatiel put under anesthetic a couple of times, he had a prolapse and although he wasn't ill as such with it he had to have a second anesthetic soon after because the stitches were a little too tight.
He was fine and birds generally recover very quickly after it just keeping them warm and comfortable afterwards but by the time you go to collect the bird he/she will have come round.

There is a risk with any anesthetic but sadly sometimes it has to be taken to get to the root cause.

Let us know how your bird gets on.

T-rev · 20-05-2010 9:50am

Well there was no xray needed just yet. Bird has a liver problem. She found high quantity of liver enzymes in her blood. Bairbre said she is still really weak but that she was eating good.

Have to call later today for the results of the liver virus test. Also has a swollen ankle which must have been caused from an injury (other bird hurt his foot on the cage so maybe she did too).

antocann · 20-05-2010 4:06pm

T-rev: let us no how the bird gets on , i also have a kakariki , great bird well tame and never shuts up lol

did have 2 but 1 died,

T-rev · 20-05-2010 4:26pm

will do mate, yeah they are always full of noise, albeit bearable noise

CreedonsDogDayc · 20-05-2010 9:56pm

We had a budgie growing up that lived for 11 years. He had a tumour when he was 7 and when under anaesthetic to have it removed. He was the same bird when we got him back, like nothing had happened to him (except no more tumour obv.!) and lived another 4 years!

Best of luck to your little fella!

T-rev · 21-05-2010 9:23am

Okay, she is staying there til Sat. She is still really weak and shaky and Bairbre wants to put a bandage on her leg but not until she is stronger. All day Weds was spent at the bottom of the cage but she was perching yesterday so thats definitely a good sign of improvement Bairbre said. Gonna cost me a small fortune, but has to be done.

Hopefully collecting her on Saturday.

RosieJoe · 21-05-2010 4:22pm

First Vet I thought of when I read the OP was Bairbre. Every week on Animal A+E the first thing she does is gas the pet :eek:

She is the only person my dog, now nearly 12, has nipped for cutting her nails. Her response to this was to give me pills to sedate her whenever we brought her back to the vets. Needless to say, Bairbre never saw her again

T-rev · 21-05-2010 4:45pm

Ah I wouldnt diss Bairbre. She is very good and what she does. Just didnt wanna lose my bird but sure its the same risk humans get when we go for an op.

Bird is coming home later btw.

RosieJoe · 21-05-2010 4:58pm

T-rev wrote: »

Ah I wouldnt diss Bairbre. She is very good and what she does. Just didnt wanna lose my bird but sure its the same risk humans get when we go for an op.

Bird is coming home later btw.

Great news, hope all is OK.

tallus · 21-05-2010 6:29pm

RosieJoe wrote: »

Great news, hope all is OK.

Seconded here.

It's scary when a treasured pet becomes sick.

Hope it works out OP. At least when the bird is back home the healing should speed up as they are creatures of habit and hate having their routine messed up.

Best of luck.

You could also try Dr John Bainbridge of Argyle & Bainbridge based in Dundrum for future reference OP. He's around a long long time and specialises in exotics.

Sigma Force · 21-05-2010 8:04pm

That's great news, take some pics if you can when your bird is feeling better.
Pity there isn't bird insurance in this country.

Bird admitted to vet.....might need gas....

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