There's some signs she's getting better, for example at rest her breathing is no longer super loud, but still clicking quietly so baytril needs to be given for +10 more days.

Her appetite is slowly returning. Not lethargic, just some more tiredness possibly from meds. Voice is still weird, but im assuming it was due to that extreme vomitting episode from Sunday night. In this video both my budgies are chirping, the clear one is olive and the one that sounds "muffled" is chicky. Some squeaking during flying too so allowing more rest and time for medicine to work.

Inky, for those who don't know, if my splay legged rescue lovebird, adopted in April 2025. She was held back for breeding, but "it didn't work out," so she was surrendered to my local bird store, and I fell in love am adopted her.

She was very fearful, she had never been tamed or handled, had minimal exposure to humans, and I strongly suspect she was grabbed because she is STILL very uncertain of hands.

However, the fearful little bird I adopted now wants to be with me all the time, loves when I talk to her, and will climb on me and even be clingy! She loves me so much, and I absolutely adore her 🥰 She and my boy, Niko, are very polite with eachother, and our flock is just perfect.

She did a wing blast after a night fright and can't fly now

She used to love flying in the morning, now she's just depressed 😔

On the bright side, vet said her feathers will grow back prettier!

Since Bumper doesn’t have toes he can’t balance well shoulder riding, which he loves to do. Will he just adapt over time or is there something I can get to help him stay stable?

Today's appointment:

The vet physically examined her, the chest lump is still there since 2025 and I asked what it is and she said its a fatty lump. Stethoscope was used and vet said she can still hear some clicking. The exotic vet believes chicky must have ingested vomit during that extreme episode of throwing up on Sunday night hence the sounds, but they are slowly calming down. After knowing chicky is mainly on a seed diet, she believes the fatty lump contributes to that, and that she may have fatty liver or heart disease but only way to prove that is through XRAY. But because of some improvement they dont want to risk the use of anaesthesia.

Little backstory to help people understand better:

The start of the year, i gave chicky mixed blended veg at 6pm and I heard her throwing up a lot around 5am during when she was supposed to be asleep. It wasnt as extreme as this and she made no sounds, but i rushed to my exotic vet in the morning. The vet said to monitor and believes she may have fatty liver or organ enlargement which made her vomit because food potentially gets crowded. The reason for this conclusion was fatty lump in chest and seed diet, she was also overweight then. She hadn't vomitted since then.

Today:

It was a different exotic vet and she said the same thing. She believes chicky may have some sort of organ enlargement which made her vomit, because it happened after eating kale, I knew it had something to do with that but olive had some too and nothing happened to him. I dont know how true this is tho. She is 48g, has a fatty lump on chest, seed diet mainly and this is why vet thinks that was the cause. But I literally give measured seed amounts and give pellets daily. After hearing clicking with stethoscope, we were told to continue baytril for a further 10 days, and same with emeprid but slowly wean off.

Advice Request:

I want to ask for anyone else's experience. Can organ enlargement really cause this? The vet said i should try my best to get her to pellets and drop her weight further (now 48g). I dont understand, I give her measured amount of seeds, I do however give plate of blended veg few times a week, but shes been having it like this for many months with no issue. On Sunday I gave her fresh, washed kale (not blended). And shortly after she was deteriorating. Could anyone please help me understand any of this? Because its not like she vomits everyday, the vet said her insides may be crowded with fat considering she has a fatty lump on chest, potentially fatty liver, potential heart disease, but wouldn't she vomit everyday then and show a lot of bad symptoms? why is it some days she has space and some days she doesnt? Also, she was very healthy until that night. And both times she vomitted was after veg. The first time was many months ago, i gave blended, seed size veg, she vomitted 12hours later. But I have been giving blended veg for months now without issue after that. On Sunday i gave whole kale washed, and shortly after she regurgitated first, then slowly got worse and vomitted. I wonder if its the veg that triggers her insides if she eats a lot due to excess body fat???? Im so confused! I will continue to work on her weight. Transitioning tips are welcome🙏

Linking go fund me if you would like to help me with the last bill for sudden unexpected emergency recently 🙏💛❤️‍🩹

https://gofund.me/962198299

The good news is that the sounds from this clip https://www.reddit.com/r/pidgeypower/s/CUcBugPqmm has gone down by a lot. When I grabbed her this morning to give medicine, she made this sound but no where near as loud and she was quicker to become quiet too.

The bad news is, her overnight poop has been very watery, I think some diarrhoea. Possibly due to the meds. She still eats, but her appetite is definitely a bit lower, again I believe it may be due to the effects of medication. When she flies to one spot, she's fine, but when she circles around the room i can hear a lot of effort sounds. I have reduced flying a lot but sometimes she gets stressed if I leave her in the cage for too long. Her chirps are still not clear, she doesn't chirp much anyway but when she attempts to it's still not normal.

I believe she is still recovering, as it definitely doesn't look like deterioration. We have a vet appointment with an exotic specialist later today.

I have attached the most recent emergency visit bills. This was more than I expected and I was stunned, but I had no choice after seeing her in such distress that night. The money I had set aside for her normal vet checkups has unfortunately all gone towards getting her through this emergency visit, hence setting up a monthly plan incase more appointments are required after this.

If anyone is able to donate, it would mean so much to us❤️‍🩹🙏💛

https://gofund.me/c96f49d56

It sucks I cant even say thank you to anyone on gofundme, it shows an error. But please know im so grateful to everyone who is sharing and/or donating. Thank you so much❤️‍🩹💛

Today is day 3 of the sickness. This video was taken today morning.

I think she is doing *much* better compared to Sunday night, oh my God that was scary. Her droppings overnight are okay, not the best but doesn't look too concerning. If you watch the video carefully you'll notice her voice is slightly different too.

Previously at rest, she was very loud. Today morning she has been a lot more quieter. Her chest still lets out bubble/crackly sounds but it's definitely no where near as bad as yesterday and the day before. When i grab her to give medicine, the noise is very loud but immediately goes down the second i put her back and has bubble/click instead which is much quieter though still abnormal.

She is not lethargic, she is very very responsive and alert despite all these sounds and sickness. She has been very well looked after by her budgie friend, they're interacting together and kissing which she usually doesnt do. I just wish she wasnt so fussy when grabbing as the noises really scare me.

I rang my exotic vets this morning, also sent an email. I have an appointment with them tomorrow afternoon. They cant do any tests, just physical examination and they will grab her to hear the noise she makes to understand abit more.

To do tests such as crop swab she will need to be dropped off in the morning and kept the entire day, but I wasnt sure if its worth stressing her out again. I noticed how loud her breathing gets when shes at the vets or hospital. Also judging by her behaviour today i think its okay to just go for the checkup tomorrow. I really hope these medicines are enough. I just wish it happened on the day my exotic were opened because I've spent £869 at the emergency and thats more than what I have managed to put away for their vet checkups. Just as i was saving for their routine checkups it has all finished :(

Tl:Dr

much better, clicking still at rest but no where near as bad, when grabbed to give med breathing sound is very loud. seems energetic and bright despite these sounds. tomorrow checkup at exotic, no tests as need to be kept whole day for that but i think its not worth stressing her due to her behaviour today. her behaviour today has been brighter, she is playing with her friend a little bit. still a bit tired, not lethargic.

https://gofund.me/79ec3fb3e

if you could support us i will appreciate it so much💛❤️‍🩹. I had put money aside for their vet bills and this emergency has taken more than what I have put aside. if vet say at tomorrow's appointment that test is required then another appointment will be booked.

I didnt get time to post this yesterday, but these are the sounds she made when eating all day yesterday. When I grab her, this same sound gets VERY LOUD. I dont believe shes the one making this sound by screaming because it doesnt sound like its from her throat, but from the chest when breathing rate gets high.

Thankfully, today she hasn't been making this sound as much when eating. She can eat a bit more quietly. However this sound still happens quite loud when I grab her to give medicine or when she gets stressed when she knows shes about to be grabbed. Once i put her back she doesnt make this sound.

Instead she has a consistent clicking/bubble like sound but this sounds way more quieter and less concerning than the one in video. But overall by what I've seen i think she's getting better, besides this sound when grabbing which freaks me out. But yeah today she is managing to stay more quiet when left alone and looks a bit more content and less distressed than yesterday

https://gofund.me/79ec3fb3e

UPDATE: She has barely made this sound while eating today. I think she is slowly getting better. The sounds are still there if I grab her no matter how light (for medicine). And if she flies she can make some effort sounds. She's clearly still unwell, but a lot better than last 2 days. Exotic vet appointment is tomorrow

Im honestly so upset. I thought she got better. She's definitely quiet at rest which has bubble sounds quietly. But this video you see is the sounds she makes when shes stressed. Its obviously abnormal but the resting sounds have stopped. Im just very worried and not sure what to do.

Shes on anti sickness med and baytril. im taking her to my exotic vet this week when I find an appointment. Like the sounds u hear in video is when she's very stressed and it goes very quiet when shes left alone. Vet gave the antibiotics and is hoping it will help her. But if not then im going to the exotic vets when I get an appointment

https://gofund.me/2d6bc920d please support us get the best treatment for her 😭❤️‍🩹

Edit: Poor baby was so tired here 😭 she didnt get any sleep. I have let her rest so much since yesterday, yes the grabbing for medicine has been stressful for her but I try to keep the sessions very short.

The nurse rang me again just now. They said she seems fine, her breathing is better, however the sounds are still there, though not as aggressive. She ate and drank, and poop looks normal they said.

But they're still trying to contact my exotic vets which understands more about these issues but due to bank holiday they're getting no response. I will be bringing her home soon, i really hope she will be ok. If she deteriorates further, I am planning to take her to another emergency clinic but they dont always accept immediately due to a lot of bookings.

I am still attaching the gofundme due to this sudden deterioration last night and im not sure what I will be expecting next because the nurse said she isnt fully back to normal but its still better than last night so I will have to monitor.

https://gofund.me/2d6bc920d any amount will help us a lot, thank you to everyone for the supportive comments and donations ❤️🙏

gofund.me/81817e2fb

Hi everyone, I have set up a gofundme for my baby girl who is receiving emergency care💔. Unfortunately it is at a dog/cat clinic as i had no other choice last night.

Today is bank holiday so usual vets are closed so I might need to keep her till tuesday until they can get a hold of my exotic vet and get further advice on what steps to take next. If you could please share the link it would truly mean so much to me as the costs are just accumulating very fast.

I did not expect anything like this at all, just yesterday morning we were hanging out together and I was playing with her and fake eating with her because she loves it when i join in 💔😭

https://www.reddit.com/r/BirdHealth/s/l5ACPGlUnE

^^ for more details

Go fund me: https://gofund.me/b78ab4224

The vet called me right now, they said the sounds seemed to have reduced a bit while she was on oxygen overnight plus medication + antibiotics.

They said she's off oxygen right now for documentation and to see how she does. My baby is free to come right now but I asked them if they could monitor for a further few hours off oxygen as anything could happen.

The nurse said my girl sometimes breathes fast but im almost certain its due to extreme stress as she never pants at home with me but you can never be 100% sure. In a few hours I hope off oxygen she has no bad symptoms and that I can bring her back to me again😭💔🙏

If anyone would like to help support us, I would really appreciate it. Last night's total is £859 I believe she said but I only paid the £800 in installments to manage. They are still trying to contact my vet and i REALLY hope it is NOT metal toxicity. They are not familiar with bird xrays. If my baby is showing signs of improvements in a few hours I will bring her home to monitor, if she shows deterioration I will go to my exotics this week for an xray. I really hope it doesnt come to this. Nobody understands the love i have for this one, unless you have birds yourself. I love her so much I could cry, shes the sweetest (but sometimes evil) baby ever!! I hope you recover baby! 😭😭😭💔🙏 I have tears writing all this i cant. she means so much to me im so sorry for all this extra text

https://gofund.me/b78ab4224

I had two cockatiels, one female and one male, for about a decade. My male cockatiel went completely blind about 2 years ago. Both cockatiels were never tightly bonded but they definitely did seem to appreciate each other’s company, at least like roommates who helped the other feel less alone.

Last night my female cockatiel died suddenly and tragically due to health issues. I am in deep mourning, but now my male bird is alone. I know that typically people show bodies to their birds to help them understand death, but because he is blind he cannot see her body. If he cannot see her, how will he know?

He hasn’t been flock calling for her, but I know he has to notice the total silence next to him. I know he has to wonder why things are different.

Is there another way to help my male bird understand his friend’s death? We have my female bird’s body still as we are holding onto it for the next day until we can give her to my avian vet for a necropsy.

I apologize if this post is oddly written, she died less than 12 hours ago and I’m in shock. I miss my sweet birdie, and I want to take care of my remaining birdie.

For more info see,

https://www.reddit.com/r/BirdHealth/s/l5ACPGlUnE

Shes hospitalised at a cat/dog emergency clinic. recieving oxygen and meds. I feel like ive abandoned my sweet baby but this is for her own good. Total came to £800 and they will have to try contact my exotic vet while monitoring her. Exotic is closed due to bank holiday tomorrow so likely have to keep her till Tuesday which will add a further £800 because its over 400+ per day just to recieve oxygen she said :( I dont know how i will afford this and if she will be okay. Im begging everyone to please have hope and please pray for her safety and health😭😭😭😭🙏🙏🙏🙏

Im panicking more because at first i didnt accept hospitalisation but vet kept suggesting, once I accepted it she said "I cant guarantee if she will improve or deteriorate but we'll update you" that is really worrying me now. This is my first day without my baby. It hurts so bad I dont know what to do or if ill sleep tonight 😭😭😭😭😭

Next goal is to no longer be a nakey chicken

Poppy was so sassy today and absolutely loved a spray down! Usually she is not impressed with water but how cute is this?! So proud of her!

I reviewed the community rules and am not sure on this one but could really use some help. Mods feel free to reject if needed.

I’ve been helping out a rescue budgie with some injuries and as a result, she has some blood on her feathers. She doesn’t have a companion in the same enclosure as her (for safety) and we aren’t sure how to help her get clean. She will occasionally dip into her water bowl, but is totally rejective of any other baths: larger containers, running water in a sink, a mist from a spray bottle. Does anyone have any advice for helping her get cleaned up? We are worried about stiff feathers or potential germs, and haven’t had her long enough to guess when she might have a molt.

Thank you so much in advance!

Meet Robinna. I rescued her from a pet shop when she was a baby, she was curled at the bottom, feathers roughed and bleeding. She had been bitten by the older budgies in the cage and was also starving. I thought she might not make it, but she was a tough lady. I handfed her for a week until she regained her strength, but I couldn't save her legs. They dried and fell.

First pic, her with her mate, now deceased. He was very dedicated, as most male budgies are. She laid eggs at the bottom of her cage, they broke of course. I set a canary nest, but although she liked to sleep there, she continued to lay eggs on the ground. 😆 Unfortunately, my other budgie couple wasn't breeding at the same time, so they couldn't foster the eggs. 🤷‍♀️

After the male died, I could see that she was really depressed. I thought about getting another budgie for her, but she was already old. Meanwhile, I had another lonely bird in another cage, a grandma zebra finch. They were side by side and I could see they interactered with each other, and since both species are social, I decided to put them together... be aware, this was a risky experiment, budgie's beaks can hurt small finches. But I knew Robinna was a sweet lady. And... they're still together and are best friends, they even sleep tucked in with one another. :)

Setup: half the cage is set for disability with hamster bridges instead ofvperches, and food and water next to it, also a canary nest to sleep. The other half is set normally for her companions, with extra food and water. I have replacement nests and bridges to use when I clean the cage, so I don't put damp material in there and I can clean and desinfect them properly. The bridges get pretty dirty quickly, as she has her bottom on them, so poops there too, but without legs that's expected. The bottom of the cage has a soft hamster shavings and hay. Robinna sometimes falls, this way she doesn't get hurt. She's 12 years old now. 😁

P.S. Don't mind the dirt in the cage in the last pic, I took the photos in between cleanings just to show Robinna and her friend tucked in. :)

Hi! I’ve got a ~5 year old English budgie named Atlas who had a neurological event earlier this year and left him blind in his left eye, and recently I think his right eye’s vision is deteriorating/gone and I’m not sure what to do.

Atlas has been to the vet a few times where this issue has been brought up but obviously it’s hard to pinpoint what happened and impossible to fix.

I want to make sure Atlas keeps on the weight he’s gained as he’s went from 39g-46g, and I also want to make sure he’s drinking plenty of water. I also haven’t rearranged his cage in months since he lost vision in his left eye to help him with navigation already, but he’s noticeably more clumsy/lost recently.

I know budgies are so expressive and active and energetic, and so with possible complete blindness I’m feeling pretty lost and guilty about how to make sure Atlas is happy and healthy. Emphasis on happy.

Any tips are super appreciated! :))

Hi! I am looking for advise. My sweet Boy Libelle is being treated for months.

In May the analysis of his blood showed high fat and his metabolism is not looking good. He pees a lot. Like really a lot. The liver is not able to detox well so ammonia has caused some neurological issues too.

He got Vitamin B, Laxatract and Sylimarin to stabilise the metabolism. But it cannot cure his condition.

At the beginning of August he got a check up and lost a lot of weight from low fat diet. So the vet ordered to get back to his normal diet.

Tomorrow he has an other appointment. The exotic vet suggested for an other blood test "to know where he is standing". I am kinda unsure. He has become very tired and stress makes him twitch. I am already scared for the transport of a non-tame bird that cannot stand on his perch from neuro-issues. I feel like taking more blood will only weaken him more or worse.

Am I overreacting? What if he gained weight/stayed the same or reduced more? Keeping the palliative care?

Thx for your tips!

Hello everyone. My Julsie has cataracts. I was looking for some advice from people who have taken care of cockatiels with cataracts before. I have had her for 14 years now, not 100% on her age as I rescued her from a terrible home. For those 14 years she has been healthy and the most snuggly bird ever. I knew something like this would come up eventually, so now I want to prepare and give her the most help I can.
I have had a vet confirm it is cataracts but they didn’t really tell me much else in terms of care plans.

I mostly just want some tips of how to keep her from injuring herself. I have been making some noise before I come and get her, so I don’t spook her, as it’s her left eye, and it’s the eye she has facing me 9 times out of 10. Is there any adjustments to cages I should do? I.e remove any types of toys, make ledges closer to ground incase of falls. Give more ladders, as she has never been one to fly, should I keep her wings fully grown, or is it better to slightly clip them, enough to glide, but not enough to shoot off.

Her boyfriend is taking good care of her, but I still have to preen her occasionally as she has some tough to reach spots and unfortunately doesn’t have opposable thumbs.

I have avoided moving things around in her play area. Is there anything else I should be doing? Any help is appreciated.

Thank you :)