Neck injury

[Corkscr.ew]

This morning I was woken up by the sound of clanging metal, so I rushed downstairs to Crescent's cage. He had his head between two of the bars of the grate at the bottom of the cage. His cage has half-inch bar spacing but there is one gap in the grate that's slightly bigger. I reached in to take his head out, and his beak was latched onto one of the bars. I panicked and pulled him out. I thought he was dead, but soon noticed he was still breathing so I took him out of the cage and held him for a few hours. His eyes were closed and he had no strength in his feet, although he started scrambling a few times and trying to get up. I kept thinking he would die at any minute but he was still alive several hours later, so my mom organized a vet appointment and we took him in. The vet found a possible neck injury but didn't feel any broken bones, so I got some anti-inflammatory meds in case he had a soft tissue injury. I haven't given him any, but I will soon.

He's in really bad condition. He is currently laying down in his carrier. We gave him a nest of paper towels and he seems more comfortable in it. I'm going to try the meds right away but his chances of survival are definitely very slim. I'm trying to be hopeful but frankly it's impossible, especially since this is my fault for not noticing the issue with the bar spacing. I also definitely should not have pulled him out. I desperately wish I bent the bars or lifted the grate instead but I was terrified and didn't think of any rational solutions. It hurts so much to see him suffer and I don't know how I'll handle the fact that I'll have killed him if he dies.

Please send prayers, or good wishes, or whatever else you prefer. Crescent and I really need it. Also, if you have experience with a similar accident, please tell me the outcome. Any advice will also be endlessly appreciated. Thank you so much in advance.

 

[rheashard2]

 

[TiredOldMan]

Prayers inbound!

 

[LaManuka]

This morning I was woken up by the sound of clanging metal, so I rushed downstairs to Crescent's cage. He had his head between two of the bars of the grate at the bottom of the cage. His cage has half-inch bar spacing but there is one gap in the grate that's slightly bigger. I reached in to take his head out, and his beak was latched onto one of the bars. I panicked and pulled him out. I thought he was dead, but soon noticed he was still breathing so I took him out of the cage and held him for a few hours. His eyes were closed and he had no strength in his feet, although he started scrambling a few times and trying to get up. I kept thinking he would die at any minute but he was still alive several hours later, so my mom organized a vet appointment and we took him in. The vet found a possible neck injury but didn't feel any broken bones, so I got some anti-inflammatory meds in case he had a soft tissue injury. I haven't given him any, but I will soon.

He's in really bad condition. He is currently laying down in his carrier. We gave him a nest of paper towels and he seems more comfortable in it. I'm going to try the meds right away but his chances of survival are definitely very slim. I'm trying to be hopeful but frankly it's impossible, especially since this is my fault for not noticing the issue with the bar spacing. I also definitely should not have pulled him out. I desperately wish I bent the bars or lifted the grate instead but I was terrified and didn't think of any rational solutions. It hurts so much to see him suffer and I don't know how I'll handle the fact that I'll have killed him if he dies.

Please send prayers, or good wishes, or whatever else you prefer. Crescent and I really need it. Also, if you have experience with a similar accident, please tell me the outcome. Any advice will also be endlessly appreciated. Thank you so much in advance.

Poor little sweetheart, and such a shock for you too!! Budgies are astonishingly tough though, so I'm oping it's just a soft tissue injury and prayers are inbound!!

 

[Corkscr.ew]

Is there any way to force a bird to swallow from a syringe? He's been in pain for the past 12 hours and I can't do anything but watch, because he can't swallow his meds.

 

[kme3388]

I’m so sorry to hear about your parrot. How horrifying. I’ll keep your feathered friend in my prayers.

I do know how to towel parrots, and use a syringe. I worry about the neck injury, and would consult a vet before doing that. I’d hate to make something worse.

I do give my parrots their medications on something called Harrison’s birdie bread. I have had no issues with them eating that. Some parrots like apple sauce, and lots of other things. Does your parrot have a favorite food item?

 

[Corkscr.ew]

I’m so sorry to hear about your parrot. How horrifying. I’ll keep your feathered friend in my prayers.

I do know how to towel parrots, and use a syringe. I worry about the neck injury, and would consult a vet before doing that. I’d hate to make something worse.

I do give my parrots their medications on something called Harrison’s birdie bread. I have had no issues with them eating that. Some parrots like apple sauce, and lots of other things. Does your parrot have a favorite food item?

He would typically accept medicated food but can't bite or swallow. He's looking and acting like a dead bird, except that he's breathing and occasionally flapping and scrambling. I managed to get some medicine and water into him by lifting his upper beak and squeezing it in, holding him in an upright position. He only swallowed some of it, but I guess some is better than none.

 

[kme3388]

He would typically accept medicated food but can't bite or swallow. He's looking and acting like a dead bird, except that he's breathing and occasionally flapping or scrambling. I managed to get some medicine and water into him by lifting his upper beak and squeezing it in, holding him in an upright position. He only swallowed some of it, but I guess some is better than none.

When he was at the vet was he able to bite, or swallow? Did he worsen since he’s left the vet? I’d try to contact them back, and try to explain the situation. They should be able to direct you on how to administer medications on a parrot in this condition safely.

I’m so so sorry about your little feathered friend. I hope everything goes in a positive direction. Please don’t be too hard on yourself. Accidents really do happen.

 

[Corkscr.ew]

When he was at the vet was he able to bite, or swallow? Did he worsen since he’s left the vet? I’d try to contact them back, and try to explain the situation. They should be able to direct you on how to administer medications on a parrot in this condition safely.

I’m so so sorry about your little feathered friend. I hope everything goes in a positive direction. Please don’t be too hard on yourself. Accidents really do happen.

He wasn't. I think he got some neurological damage when I pulled his head free. He has a constant head tilt, and he does a lot of rapid flapping that probably has a neurological cause. His condition hasn't changed much since this morning, except that he's flapping a lot and opening his eyes more. I'll try to contact them, but I'm not sure how much help they'll be.

Thank you for the help. It's very hard but I'm trying not to blame myself.

 

[Corkscr.ew]

He's gone now. Thank you all for the replies. I just buried him under a maple tree in my yard, next to the spot where we buried his friend Thimble. I'm definitely sad but I'm also very glad that his suffering is over. I'll probably post a thread tomorrow.

 

[kme3388]

He's gone now. Thank you all for the replies. I just buried him under a maple tree in my yard, next to the spot where we buried his friend Thimble. I'm definitely sad but I'm also very glad that his suffering is over. I'll probably post a thread tomorrow.

I’m so sorry for your loss. That would be incredibly hard to watch. You did a great thing in the end, and provided supportive care.

 

[Corkscr.ew]

I’m so sorry for your loss. That would be incredibly hard to watch. You did a great thing in the end, and provided supportive care.

Thank you so much.

 

[LaManuka]

He's gone now. Thank you all for the replies. I just buried him under a maple tree in my yard, next to the spot where we buried his friend Thimble. I'm definitely sad but I'm also very glad that his suffering is over. I'll probably post a thread tomorrow.

Oh @Corkscr.ew I'm so sorry for your loss. Please don't blame yourself for this, little birds can get themselves into all sorts of unpredictable situations and nobody can watch them 24/7. You did everything you could possibly have done for him and he would not want you to blame yourself either. My most heartfelt condolences go out to you.

 

[rheashard2]

Oh @Corkscr.ew I'm so sorry for your loss. Please don't blame yourself for this, little birds can get themselves into all sorts of unpredictable situations and nobody can watch them 24/7. You did everything you could possibly have done for him and he would not want you to blame yourself either. My most heartfelt condolences go out to you.

Agee.

 

[TiredOldMan]

I'm so sorry for your loss. You did everything you could and he was loved