Is an XRay necessary or not?

[Beako_N_Kiwi]

Maybe it's because I'm scared to see what they will uncover, but the vet is recommending we do an xray for my bird Beako, that has Aspergillosis, to see whats going on inside. We have her on Voroconazole (expensive) and the doctor said just to continue with that medicine until we decide to do the xray. She said once we do the xray, she may not need to continue that medication, and there may be a new course of treatment. I know it's best to listen to the vet, but I am scared for her. She is doing better lately, but when we first got her and got her flapping her wings, you could see her catching her breath a little bit. Could you tell me what you guys think, should I schedule it and go for it for the sake of her health, do you think it's not necessary or even dangerous? The vet mentioned the process is that they give her some oxygen to relax her and keep her from moving during the xray. I'm scared something bad could happen? Would love your thoughts and experiences.

 

[IcyWolf]

I can't really give you any medical advice since I am not a vet and have never personally dealt with aspergillosis but if it makes you feel any better I wanted to tell you that we had to have an xray done on one of our baby budgies a couple weeks ago. They gave her a sedative(valum, it was actually administered to stop a seizure and they just went ahead and did the xray while she was still relaxed from that) and did the xray, no problems, and she was only 26 grams at the time! I know it varies from vet to vet but the xray itself only cost $55.

 

[Beako_N_Kiwi]

Thank you so much! I know most of you aren't vets, just seeking some thoughts! I hope she is doing better! These XRays will run $300!!! I can afford it, but just wondering how necessary it is...

 

[KatherineI]

I'd do it. Given what you've described, it doesn't sound like you have the type of vet that ropes you in to unnecessary procedures and such. To me, it sounds like the Vet is asking because it's going to help them understand what they're dealing with with the bird, rather than guess.

For example, and while I know dogs are different than birds the example still applies: My dog was 16 weeks and she injured her leg. She got it twisted in a line and yanked. She immediately yelped and started limping. But when we manipulated her leg, she didn't. She just seemed to be favoring it. After 24 hours, I decided that the favoring was suspicious, despite the fact that we could straighten and bend her leg, touch it, without problems. I took her in and the vet even said he wasn't sure what was going on because everything "felt" normal. He suggested an x-ray but that he didn't think it was really necessary, but I went ahead and did it. Good thing too, turns out her leg was broken at the knee joint. It required surgery to place a pin to fix the break. 6 weeks later, another surgery to remove the pin. $1000. But had the vet not suggested the xray, her injury might not have healed properly. The x-ray allowed us to see what exactly we were dealing with and help us rule out anything else.

I say you should do it.

 

[Mayden]

I'd also suggest doing it, I know it's expensive and when everything seems fine 'whats the point?' but it could help make treatment easier and just give everyone a better understanding of what they're dealing with. With xrays your baby will just be given a sedative to stop her wiggling about and distorting the picture etc. It is, of course as nothing is, 100% safe, but it's very near and very unlikely Beako will have a bad reaction etc. That is where the danger lies. It is well worth the risk imo. I remember being anxious when Merlin needed a short anesthetic due to the minor risk, but all went well.

Hope everything goes okay, keep us updated!