Thoughts on having a handicapped budgie: worst case scenario of Sunshine’s surgery

Hi everyone,

For those of you who didn’t see my original post about Sunshine having an injured wing, let me just briefly explain what has happened.

I noticed a few days ago that Sunshine had an injured wing. She lives with my budgie flock in the aviary, and she was flying okay, so I was fairly confused because a broken wing would cause a lack of flight. After taking her to the vet, it was found that she had a growth under her right wing. He said that it didn’t look aggressive or malignant, and I just dropped her off at the vet to get it removed in surgery.

Now, unfortunately the growth is right next to a major blood vessel under her wing. This means that it will be challenging to remove, and while the vet says he will try his best, he may have to remove the entire wing in the event that it will cause major blood loss . This would mean that she would be handicapped and wouldn’t be able to return to the aviary.

So, in the event that this is the case, do you think that it is cruel to let her live without one of her wings? My dog had to get her eyes removed, and she still lives a happy and full life. So in my mind, this can be the same for Sunshine if she doesn’t have one wing. She is perfectly healthy otherwise, and has never been sick throughout her life.

I am more than willing to put in all the effort to ensure that her life will be comfortable and happy. She is not tame, but I will work on hand taming her (she is only a one year old so it is still possible) and perhaps I can get her a new cage mate to ensure her social happiness. I will also design her cage so that it is full of ladders and other climbing accessories, to accommodate for a lack of flight.

she could interact with my tame birds once she is fully tame. Will this be a bit complicated because they are all flighted?

I just want some general opinions on some of what I have mentioned above. I am mostly concerned that she might live a very unhappy life without her wing.

Thanks!

Pending necessary medical treatment, I don't think it is cruel to live without a wing. You no doubt want the best care for her and adjusting to her life post-surgery and accommodations. Should the vet have to remove the wing.

Some birds live with one leg due to accidents occurring. Some birds have prosthetic beaks. In cases like your dog too, living with eyes removed. And some cases, with dogs also having doggy wheelchairs. They still make out okay, and thrive.

smbrds said:

Pending necessary medical treatment, I don't think it is cruel to live without a wing. You no doubt want the best care for her and adjusting to her life post-surgery and accommodations. Should the vet have to remove the wing.

Some birds live with one leg due to accidents occurring. Some birds have prosthetic beaks. In cases like your dog too, living with eyes removed. And some cases, with dogs also having doggy wheelchairs. They still make out okay, and thrive.

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This is very true. We'll just see what the outcome is today. I'm definitely spending most of my day worrying about her! We can only hope for the best.

Vet just phoned. He says the tumor/growth has gotten even bigger since Friday when he last saw me, and the only way to help her is to lose the wing. My poor baby. I will support her through her recovery. I refuse to put her to sleep just because of losing her wing [emoji20]


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Oh bless her, atleast you found it sooner than later!
She's very lucky to have you, there has been people in the past that I know of and they got their bird put down, such awful news when that happens!

I hope she recovers well! fingers crossed

Terrible news. The tumour had most likely spread to her lungs and was very aggressive and malignant. The surgery went well but she stopped breathing just after. I’m broken. The vet did everything he could to save her, but she was clearly very sick. I wish I knew about the tumour sooner, but it all happened so fast, within days. I fetched her from the vet and we are going to have a memorial burial for her in the garden this evening. She was a wonderful little bird and my only hope is that she enjoyed her life as much as I enjoyed having her in my life.


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reeb said:

Terrible news. The tumour had most likely spread to her lungs and was very aggressive and malignant. The surgery went well but she stopped breathing just after. I’m broken. The vet did everything he could to save her, but she was clearly very sick. I wish I knew about the tumour sooner, but it all happened so fast, within days. I fetched her from the vet and we are going to have a memorial burial for her in the garden this evening. She was a wonderful little bird and my only hope is that she enjoyed her life as much as I enjoyed having her in my life.


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Im so sorry to hear about this
my thoughts are with you on this sad time!

I’m so sorry to read this! How devestating for you. I’m thinking of you in your time of loss. You did everything you could as soon as you could. Remember that birds hide illness and injury and they are very good at it.


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She passed away LOVED and VALUED... that counts for a lot in my view of the Universe.

reeb, you are a hero and a beautiful parront. I really admire your style.

Hang in there. Your other birds will build you back up.

reeb, I am so sorry. You truly did everything you could, and since the tumor grew so much over the weekend it shows how fast it all came about. My heart goes out to you. I am so glad she had you to love her, and give her such wonderful care.

Oh my goodness I'm so sorry!!! My heart is broken for you.

I rescued a budgie with a shattered leg last year and went through something really similar He had been in a home where he was let out unsupervised with small children and they stepped on his leg. It was so shattered the only way to fix it was amputating it.

The surgery was successful, but he didn't wake up from the anaesthesia I felt so bad for him, he was only about a year old... but we did everything we could.

That said, rescuing him brought his cage-mate Tommy into our lives. I know exactly what you're going through and it's so hard, but you are a wonderful parent for what you've done for your baby.

All the best.

I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart and thoughts go out to you.

My deepest condolences for your loss of Sunshine. I know you've been worried for days and had the most optimistic view towards her recovery. May her memories be of comfort - sometimes this type of loss is worse than a sudden passing.

Oh my that's such a shame. You were so hopeful earlier, but sometimes these things are simply meant to be. You will miss her of course but remember the happy times and the happy life you gave her. Take care x

Thank you everyone for the warm responses, it really means a lot after such a loss. ❤️Here is a photo of her in her prime, and this is the Sunshine who will live on in my memory, and hopefully the memory of her flock too.

I’m so sorry about the devastating loss of Sunshine. She certainly was a beautiful budgie.

Just saw this thread. So sorry about Sunshine! She was so beautiful

Such a beautiful girl, and she knew she was loved. You are a great parront Reeb, and I’m so sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry, Reeb. She was lovely. How quickly that all went downhill...

Aw, I’m so sorry that things had to turn out this way. You tried, and did all you could. Sunshine was beautiful. You’re an exemplary birdie Mom. Sometimes it’s just beyond our control. Take care of yourself.