Anxious budgie

indigo

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May 20, 2007
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British Columbia, Canada
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Serenity & Pix and their kids Jade & Tango (Peachfaced Lovebirds) and Bonnie (Budgie)
I have a little girly budgie who has always had anxiety issues. My home has always (for the most part) been calm, and no parties, kids or anything like that to stress her out. She's alright if I don't go over to her cage, and when I let her out of her cage she refuses to go back in, and if I go up to her cage she gets skinny and wings go out a bit. She clings to the back when I change her food and water or clean her cage. I have had her about one year and got her from the pet shop (I am thinking this may be a reason - the pet store part). I had two other budgies from the same store, and one just passed away (no known reason) a couple months ago and the other one my female budgie killed about 3 weeks before that.

So I don't know what to do for this little girl. Now, I will be moving to California within the year and I don't like leaving this stuff to the last moment ... I like to know what to do and to get with it. Okay, so here is what I have been thinking:

1) See if there is any supplements or whatever that will help her (can't cost much though - very limited budget) and try those out
2) Find a more suitable home for her - perhaps a single older person who has gobs and gobs of time and experience with budgies
3) Do nothing and see if she comes around on her own

I am really worried about the actual move, and then once I am there we (my guy and I) are wanting to start a family ... so I am concerned that the extra activity will make her a complete nervous wreck. That said, the only time I'd look for a new home for her is if it is best for her.

None of my family members are able to have her, and same with my friends (most just don't like birds enough to have one).

I need your opinions. The last thing I want to do is re-home her, but I do want (and feel it is my responsibility) to do what's best for her though and if that is re-homing here, then I will do that.
 
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Deanna

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Poor, sweet little girl--so nervous, it's terrible.

I used to pet sit a Too that plucked and got extremely nervous when her mama left. Her mom had me give her Rescue Remedy in her water during the times that she was away. Truthfully, I cannot say whether or not it provided for any relief for her. But, I just wondered if you might visit with your avian specialist and see if a trial of Rescue Remedy might be warranted. (I don't remember, now, anything about the dosage/dilute ratio).

I had actually meant to ask my vet about it when I took lil Timothy in to get his wings clipped. But, they were so very busy, getting in and out was a feat unto itself. I will try to remember to call him and visit with him about Rescue Remedy.

Has anyone had any experience with Rescue Remedy? :confused:

Timothy sends his love to your little girl ... it's so sad to watch when they are so afraid of their surroundings. :(
 

Peta

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Can't say I've had any experience with this Rescue Remedy.

So I don't know what to do for this little girl. Now, I will be moving to California within the year and I don't like leaving this stuff to the last moment ... I like to know what to do and to get with it. Okay, so here is what I have been thinking:

1) See if there is any supplements or whatever that will help her (can't cost much though - very limited budget) and try those out
2) Find a more suitable home for her - perhaps a single older person who has gobs and gobs of time and experience with budgies
3) Do nothing and see if she comes around on her own

1) Think if you can find some sort of supplement she may have to be on that for a while and that could end up costing a bit.
2) That is definately an option to think about.
3) Depending on why she is like this depends on how long it would take her to come round.

I would have a word with your avian vet see if there's an underlying problem as to why she could be like she is. How did she kill you other budgie, and what brought this on????????????? Was that budgie a male or female???????

She sounds like a very scared frightened gal, do you know anything that could have caused this, Does she or has she suffered from night frights at anytime that you are aware off. Do you know how old she was when you got her, and where the pet store got her from??????????

Sorry for all the questions but just trying to get a bit more info.
 

Deanna

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Very good questions, Peta. This is one frightened little one, indeed. :(

'Tis early with very little coffee as yet ... and I will write more later as I gather more information, but here is a Birds-n-Ways site that may be of interest to you to discuss with your veterinarian:

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww25eii.htm

It is toward the bottom of the page, under the heading of Flower Essences and Remedies. It mentions a combination of Rescue Remedy and Aconite. Bach, is apparently a well-respected brand of homeopathic remedies.

The site mentions that it is important to couple training/behavior modification with other remedies; sort of a holistic approach.

Again, I'll be talking with my own avian vet about the use of these homeopathic options -- I don't think he is of the mind set to accept their efficacy, but it's certainly worth a visit with him (I could be wrong). Plus, I would want his approval first, because just like your little girl, Timothy is tiny, tiny and I would most definitely want to get the dosing correct.

Okay ... have a nice day everyone!!
 

karen

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Honey
Hi I have used rescue remedy with me and my horse..He is completely homeopathic so no chance of anything else in system. I found it helped ..both of us.... maybe cause its in a brandy base:04:
 

Deanna

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brandy? did someone say brandy??

**Deanna trots off to buy a gallon of Rescue Remedy** ;)
 

Peta

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Hope your not too drunk to share that Brandy, Its getting late here and I could do with a quick tot of Brandy. :D
 

Deanna

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Hope your not too drunk to share that Brandy, Its getting late here and I could do with a quick tot of Brandy. :D

Oh, absolutely, Peta! I've special reserve for you (us) ... it is quite unlucky to drink by ones' self! :41:
 
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indigo

indigo

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Serenity & Pix and their kids Jade & Tango (Peachfaced Lovebirds) and Bonnie (Budgie)
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maybe the R.R. is effective cause it makes them drunk lol ... just a thought. I mean if we had a drink or four in us we'd be more relaxed as well lol.

Okay, now onto the replies...

Deanna:
- I will look into R.R., I have heard about it from a few sources, and will continue looking into that.
- I will also be checking that site out - thanks!

Peta:
- I will look into a vet visit.
- She killed her buddy Clyde. He was such a sweet gentle bird too. He actually seemed to calm her down a bit (they came to me together and had been pseudo buddies before I brought them home). Bonnie threw him to the floor of his cage and broke his neck. She had been getting aggressive (turned out she was with egg). She threw him at least 2 feet and hard. I was sitting and watched her throw him, and he died in my hand. It was very hard to keep her then, I was angry and didn't even want to feed her. I was angry, and sad, but I got over it and shes my baby girl again.
- All three of my budgies were from the same store and they get their birds from a supplier (aka cold and business, no actual love for the birds - they supplied all the livestock there - birds, rodents, everything).
- I was told they were between 3 and 4 months old and I think that was at least close. So she is over a year now (probably even around 18 months).
- She has night terrors ... I was up on and off all last night with her freaking out every 10ish minutes. She was having them for a while shortly after I brought her home, and another spell of them since, and now again last night. I will have to keep a small light on at night again I suppose. Last night she was very very upset and had three before I left a small light on. With the light on she settled down and went to sleep without any more night terrors. That light will be on from now on.
 
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Deanna

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Oh gosh, Indigo, I can't tell you how sorry I am that you lost Clyde in your very hands -- I lost Sailor in my left hand going 90 miles an hour down I-70 rushing him to the hospital. When he went limp and released his last breath, I nearly went off the road. I've been having flashbacks of that of late; it has most definitely stayed etched in my memory. (((((Indigo))))).

If you would keep us informed of what you learn about RR, I would be very appreciative. I, too, will let you know what my avian vet says (probably won't contact him until after this holiday).

And, I am most certainly sorry to hear that your little girl has night terrors. They are frightening at best. Our Cecil experiences either night terrors or seizures (blood work, thus far, has been non-conclusive). I have removed all extraneous stimulus from her surroundings ... I might, now, add a small light as you've mentioned.

My best to you!
 
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indigo

indigo

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Yah it is terrible to lose a pet, especially in your hands. When Pogo died (my other budgie) he also died in my hand ... he had all the cards stacked him though from day one. Not only was he from the supplier, but when he got to the store he had only one leg (I worked at the store and was told to send him back because he was unsellable - or to break his neck - so I wrote him down as dead and took him home) but he also got picked on by the other birds and often did not get enough to eat. He passed at maybe 1 year old, but I think he was more like 9 months or so. He was about 3/4 the size of my other two budgies and after Bonnie killed Clyde I had him in his own cage. He ate like he'd never eaten before when he got in there too (I had no idea he hadnt been getting enough food). I have never seen a bird sit and eat without moving for days, only taking sleeping breaks and pooping breaks hehehe. Pogo was a little angel. I have put a picture of my budgie boys days before Clyde died. (Pogo is blue, Clyde is green)
 
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Deanna

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You are brilliant and an angel to sneak Pogo out of the store!! (((many hugs))). What a beautiful picture of such loving creatures.

(This is a lil off topic as it is about a dog, but similar) ... Ben (my rescue Border Collie) was starving at his ranch home so he went next door to raid the chicken coop (it was his only source of food) ... the next door rancher shot him (he lost his back leg) and we adopted him post haste (the original owners would not put any money into him to help him). He ate like a horse when we brought him home because food was readily available and he was not competing with any other dogs. That reminded me of your description of Pogo.

Rest in peace Pogo ... sweet baby :smile015:
 
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indigo

indigo

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lol I did sneak him out literally under my coat lol ... another manager was in on it too and we had this secret. I don't have the heart to tell her though that Pogo passed. They had real good lives though, even if they were short lives.
 

Deanna

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lol I did sneak him out literally under my coat lol ... another manager was in on it too and we had this secret. I don't have the heart to tell her though that Pogo passed. They had real good lives though, even if they were short lives.

You coniving little thang, you!! And, yes, hon, I've no doubt they had good lives! No doubt.
 

Peta

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I'm so glad that he got to live his live with your love.

Also if the night frights continue, you could move her to a pet carrier with one perch, and padded bottom, it doesn't cure them but certainly makes you more comfortable leaving them through the night.
 
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indigo

indigo

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Serenity & Pix and their kids Jade & Tango (Peachfaced Lovebirds) and Bonnie (Budgie)
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Last night we had no terrors, and the light was on. I also gave her a bird bath yesterday (its been quite hot here the last few days) and again today so I will see if this helps (who knows, maybe it relaxes her or something).
 

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