Budgie with tachycardia

[peichi]

Has anyone here had a budgie diagnosed with tachycardia? My avian vet prescribed Pimobendan for Kirby. He was on for some days but there was no improvement. He’s only 11 months old, but lately he’s been falling off his perch at night and sleeping a lot more during the day. Unfortunately, his heart condition has led him to have crop stasis. I was told to get him baby food to eat but he just ignores the food. I don't want to force feed him as he's already weak and stressed.

The vet prescribed Metacam to help with the nighttime falls, but it doesn’t seem to be making a difference. During the day, he often zones out, isn't as playful anymore, and tends to stoop low on his perch. I think his heart condition is making him tired and affecting his ability to grip properly.

I've started keeping him in his carrier cage at night to prevent falls but he hates it as he stirs around all night trying to get out. I’m not sure what else I can do to help him. Any advice or similar experiences would be really appreciated.

 

[LaManuka]

Has anyone here had a budgie diagnosed with tachycardia? My avian vet prescribed Pimobendan for Kirby. He was on for some days but there was no improvement. He’s only 11 months old, but lately he’s been falling off his perch at night and sleeping a lot more during the day. Unfortunately, his heart condition has led him to have crop stasis. I was told to get him baby food to eat but he just ignores the food. I don't want to force feed him as he's already weak and stressed.

The vet prescribed Metacam to help with the nighttime falls, but it doesn’t seem to be making a difference. During the day, he often zones out, isn't as playful anymore, and tends to stoop low on his perch. I think his heart condition is making him tired and affecting his ability to grip properly.

I've started keeping him in his carrier cage at night to prevent falls but he hates it as he stirs around all night trying to get out. I’m not sure what else I can do to help him. Any advice or similar experiences would be really appreciated.

My cockatiel Fang was diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia, oh it has to be about 6 years ago now, and was put on Pimobendan by his (most excellent!) avian vet, and I'm pleased to report that all this time later he is still doing very well on it. Metacam, to my understanding, is a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory so not sure if your vet prescribed that for your Kirby because of his falls, but Fang is on Pimobendan only, and he will be on it for the rest of his life however long that may be. I'm sorry I can't be of any assistance to you with the crop stasis, others may be able to help you there. In terms of him falling at night, my 'tiels are prone to night frights as are budgies, so I never cover my 'tiels all the way up at night and I leave a night light on for them so they are never in total darkness, and this has cut the falling from perches and/or night frights down to almost non-existent. I hope something here can be of some help to you, but at the very least I would expect Kirby will be on Pimobendan for the long term, and I have found it to be a very helpful medication.

 

[peichi]

Thank you for your response. I'm glad to hear that Pimobendan is working for your cockatiel. Do you administer it twice a day? Right now, Kirby is on Metacam for a few more days. Everything changed with Kirby about four weeks ago. He was energy, happy, playful and sang a lot. Now, he's just sleeping most of the day and if he makes any noises, it's just an irritated squawk. I do leave the night light on and only cover half of the cage but he still falls. He just doesn't have the energy to grip like a normal bird. As for the crop stasis, I believe it's another issue that's resulted from his heart condition. It's happening about once a week at the moment. I just left some baby food with moistened pellets next to him. I am doubtful he will eat it. I'm at a loss

 

[LaManuka]

Thank you for your response. I'm glad to hear that Pimobendan is working for your cockatiel. Do you administer it twice a day? Right now, Kirby is on Metacam for a few more days. Everything changed with Kirby about four weeks ago. He was energy, happy, playful and sang a lot. Now, he's just sleeping most of the day and if he makes any noises, it's just an irritated squawk. I do leave the night light on and only cover half of the cage but he still falls. He just doesn't have the energy to grip like a normal bird. As for the crop stasis, I believe it's another issue that's resulted from his heart condition. It's happening about once a week at the moment. I just left some baby food with moistened pellets next to him. I am doubtful he will eat it. I'm at a loss

Yes, Fang was prescribed Pimobendan twice a day, although tbh how much he actually ingests I don't know cos it seems he spits most of it up all over me!! As far as the crop stasis, luckily Fang has never been afflicted by it so I couldn't say whether Kirby's is related to his heart trouble or not, though I imagine your vet gave some indication whether it may be. When a bird's not eating I usually suggest to give them whatever is their favourite food, but if Kirby's not digesting properly then this probably would be counter-productive. I'm so sorry you're going through this with Kirby and I wish I could say more that would help you, perhaps a follow up call or visit with the vet may be in order. I hope your little sweetheart will be ok

 

[peichi]

Thank you for the feedback. Since I have already been to the vet's office three times in the recent weeks, I just called them to update them on Kirby's current condition. They think that it might take a while for the Pimobendan to take into effect as his digestion is not as effective as a healthy budgie. So I will keep trying with the medication. How long was Fang on it before you saw any positive results from Pimobendan?

 

[LaManuka]

Poor Fang had been very lethargic and looked pretty sick, naturally on a weekend when his regular vet was closed, but we got him in to a 24 hour (non avian specialist) place and he saw his vet first thing on the Monday morning, and he started his treatment that day. It was a while ago now, but I would think he started to improve within about a week, and he goes back for checks every 6 months or so and the condition is being pretty well controlled. But he never did have the additional complications that your Kirby has, so that may be a factor for you too.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I'm so sorry about KIrby. He's such a pretty little guy. It's hard to get budgies to eat things that aren't a familiar part of their diet. Is he eating and pooping at all?
Have you tried feeding him sprouted seed? Most budgies really like it but I don't know if it would be okay for his crop problem. Maybe some cooked rice chopped up really fine and mixed with a bit of baby food would be appealing. At this point I would think getting him to eat anything would be important.

I can see why Kirby is falling a lot. I had a heart rhythm problem (fixed surgically) that caused my heart to beat over 200 per minute and I fell a lot. At that rate your heart doesn't have time to fill up with blood between beats so my blood pressure would get very low causing extreme dizziness and falls, so I can see why Kirby is falling off his perch. Keeping him safe is key until the medication starts to help.

My budgie Mariah has a mobility problem of unknown cause. She stumbles and falls off perches so I keep her in a 36x16x14 clear plastic storage bin so any falls are short and there are no bars for her to climb and fall from. Any efforts to climb will just sap his strength when he doesn't have enough reserves because he's not eating well. Its outfitted with low perches, ladders and toys and she's safe and comfortable in it. I hope Kirby starts feeling better. It's so hard to watch our birds suffer.

 

[peichi]

Thank you for sharing your personal experience with your heart condition. I'm so glad to hear your surgery was successful. It's difficult knowing there's only so much I can do for Kirby’s heart. I’m hopeful that the Pimobendan will start to show positive effects. It’s been several days, and I think I might be seeing a slight improvement, though it's hard to say for sure. He’s still very tired during the day and a bit unsteady when he walks. I’ve already taken him to one local avian vet, but I’ve scheduled an appointment with another avian specialist in two weeks to get a second opinion and explore any additional options for his care.