The "Tweeters"

[carolyorkie2010]

Seeing as some of you have really taken Tweet the Budgie to your hearts, I thought he should have his own special fan club thread where you can post your good wishes for his Xray on Wednesday or anything else you want to write. So far his fan club consists of Rose; Capn B; Sam; Chris.

[carolyorkie2010]

Hi CB - yes he does have honey bars and those seed rings that go round the perch; he loves them and I think you are right, they've made him fat! I took his honey bar out this morning, no more of those for him. He loves them! I'm not paying £7 plus delivery for a pkt of special seed that is only the same size as a pkt of Trill; he can stay on the Trill. He's not been eating as much for the last week, maybe going to the vets has upset him or the hot weather weare having.

Sam - I was thinking that myself! He has had no blood tests. All I know is an Avian vet has studied the xrays and said it is lead. He must have the experience to know for definite it is lead. Still dont know where from though. IF it isnt lead, I wonder what else it could be?

[saasher2012]

I wonder if that's why they want to take bloods to confirm it, but I can't really see how he would have picked it up can you?
Apart from the feather loss he doesn't seem to show any other symptoms at all, tell me since you last sprayed him does his feathers seem to be improving?

[carolyorkie2010]

I've just been reading about it again and it seems they can detect lead just from xrays. Also things like the clapper on bells could contain it and he is always playing with his bells; on odd occasions he has chewed the cage bars, so possibly its those. The solder on the bars can contain lead. But no, apart from the feather loss he is just the same, droppings are normal. Feathers haven't improved since he was last sprayed.

[brush2f]

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@carolyorkie2010 wrote:

Please - someone put me a speech bubble on Tweet's photo that says, " I love the Tweets!" I don't know how to do it.

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😉

[saasher2012]

Have they not offered medication for treatment or just removal of lead from crop?
Love the Bubble that the posters put up.lol.

[twishy123]

Does he sink or float if you put him in a bucket of water?.....

well it would be a 'cheeper' confirmation than the blood test ....

[saasher2012]

Lol !

[rose2008-2008]

Sorry only just got back on. Glad your ok and Tweet is happy and chatting away Carol!!. Birds can be quite complex things cant they. I like the speech Bubble!!. Bubbles is fine, shes eating ok and seems to have adjusted to the heat now.xxxx Love to Carol and tweet and Animals!.

[carolyorkie2010]

Brilliant, brush2f, thank you Wish I knew how to do it.

Tweet is more cheerful and talkative than ever today; I think he has finally got over his anaesthetic/xray from Wednesday. He was bashing his toys under his cover at 6a.m. when I got up, bless him.

If the issue with the lead was sorted out, there are still the other health probs like the enlarged liver and kidneys to deal with, then his weight. He only weighs approx 70g as it is. (Not sure what a Budgie should weigh, will have to look it up.)

[bitsnknots]

I'm glad that Tweet was cheerful enough first thing Carol.  Hope that he gets better.

[carolyorkie2010]

The vet phoned this afternoon with the costs to blood test Tweet; it would be £67, and he would need a full anaesthetic again. It's too much for the  little bird. Vet said to maybe try the diet seed for him first, but she said it will be a long slow process changing him over on to it gradually.

I've been calling him "baby" today, so now he is saying "Baby Tweet!" Oh, I love that bird, LOL

[bitsnknots]

Blimey Carol.  That's a lot.  I'm not surprised you love that bird.  He sounds like a right character.

[saasher2012]

Aah poor baby Tweet is going on a slim fast diet, bet he will be swearing soon! lol.

[carolyorkie2010]

According to the vet this afternoon, Tweet isn't fat, he's VERY fat!

[saasher2012]

Aah bless him it'll give him a complex! I think he's gorgeous , I like a man with a hairy chest& a bit of meat on him? lol.

[carolyorkie2010]

Well, he fits the latter, Sam, but not sure about the hairy chest at the moment, LOL

One thing the vet did say yesterday, if they are fat, then the hair follicles could have fat deposits on them which would make the feathers drop out; also she said birds get upset when they are overweight. Now, I'm not being funny but how would a bird know it was overweight if it didnt have another bird to compare itself with?

[saasher2012]

Very good question, does make you think they are clutching at straws though!.i would just try & get his weight down a bit by cutting out his honey bars etc ,upping up his green foods & fruit, see how that goes for awhile. Just keep an eye on his poo etc. also keep his grit container full . What grit are you using?

[saasher2012]

Further to the grit, I've just been talking to someone who says they offer grit once a week because it has been known for budgies to overload their crops with it, complicated little beggers aren't they? lol.

[rose2008-2008]

Ohhh yes the vets fees are really high are they not. Its no good Tweet you need a Bird Sized Treadmill. Get his Headband on hell be well away!!!!!. You could play the Rocky Music when hes doing it to give him some support LOL. Bless his little Beak!!!!!. Tweet Tweet,,,Tweet Tweet ((())). Love to Carol and Tweet

[captainbovine]

he'll soon trim down if he doesn't have his honey bars, they are notoriously fattening. with his Trill and fruit he'll be fine. I expect his organs could be enlarged due to lead poisoning?

he picks up a new word quick doesn't he? cor he's a clever Tweet!