Xrays in parrots

[DonnaBudgie]

I learned something about xrays on birds. I had one of my budgies, Rocky, xrayed last week to determine if she had an egg because she wasn't putting full weight on her left leg and was holding it off the perch. The reproductive system of a bird is on her left side and an egg can put pressure on the leg nerves. She didn't have an egg or any fractures. I asked them how they were able to xray her without anesthesia because holding her still with hands would cause the hands to be xrayed too. The toweled her and xrayed her restrained by the towel. They said that this method doesn't allow precise positioning but it isn't necessary when looking for a large obvious thing like an egg. It's also accurate enough to see any major fractures like a femur or wing fracture. To see any smaller detail the bird would need to anesthetized and positioned. I wanted to share this information because a lot of us are afraid of xrays because of the anesthesia required. Sme xrays require sedation but a quick film to check for presence of a retained egg doesn't.

 

[nkrbkr]

That’s interesting. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

Cool . I had a cockatiel some years ago that needed an x-ray to see if he had a bone infection. That's probably what they did to him! Towled the boi!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I do get concerned about stressing birds out by restraining them even for a couple minutes in a towel but vets know how to do it as safely as possible. People who don't know better (bird store clerks perhaps) may put too much pressure on a bird's chest not allowing they to breathe well. But there is always a rare case of a bird dying of cardiac arrest from the stress of even a properly done restraint. My beloved budgie died during a beak trim at a bird store many years ago and I was hysterical. I think it was stress. The point I'm making is that I wonder which is more risky- light anesthesia for an xray or toweling? Some xrays require anesthesia. I recall the photos of LaManuka's
Princess Peach having wing extensions (imping) done because she had only one wing severely trimmed. Princess Peach was lying on her back with her head positioned in a gas anesthesia cone sleeping while the procedure was being done. It would have been impossible to do that with her awake. I don't know how long that procedure took but the shorter the anesthesia period the better. A positioned xray wouldn't take long and neither would having a Suprelorin implant. I plan to get Joey my female budgie the implant after Christmas, so I guess that's why I'm so focused on anesthesia risks. I'm willing to take the risk to give Joey a better life.

Those of us who have female birds and have access to avian vets should always consider the possibility of the bird being egg bound if they appear sick.

 

[Geslina]

I learned something about xrays on birds. I had one of my budgies, Rocky, xrayed last week to determine if she had an egg because she wasn't putting full weight on her left leg and was holding it off the perch. The reproductive system of a bird is on her left side and an egg can put pressure on the leg nerves. She didn't have an egg or any fractures. I asked them how they were able to xray her without anesthesia because holding her still with hands would cause the hands to be xrayed too. The toweled her and xrayed her restrained by the towel. They said that this method doesn't allow precise positioning but it isn't necessary when looking for a large obvious thing like an egg. It's also accurate enough to see any major fractures like a femur or wing fracture. To see any smaller detail the bird would need to anesthetized and positioned. I wanted to share this information because a lot of us are afraid of xrays because of the anesthesia required. Sme xrays require sedation but a quick film to check for presence of a retained egg doesn't.

I found out during my experience that they use a light sedation for X-rays. Still risky, but not like full sedation. My bird had no ill effects from it.

 

[PeentPeent]

The burrito method

 

[DonnaBudgie]

How is dear Max doing after his surgery?

 

[rheashard2]

I am now retired critical care and trauma RN. Way back I asked my first avian vet with my first CAG about looking for injuries. I didn't know a thing except avian bones are fragile compared to dogs and cats. I was curious about X-rays and blood work. She told me that birds stress easily. She only sedated if absolutely necessary. She went on to tell me that a well trained dog is almost always easier to care for. The same thing is true with birds. She showed me how to train my CAG for toweling. I didn't even know what that was. She said that knowing what to expect when toweled decreases stress. That could also decrease the need for sedation in some cases. As a result CAG #1 was & #2 is greeted with smiles at vet visits. Nameliss gives me a lot of back talking when I practice toweling her randomly. Practice is covering her with something and holding wings against her body. I encourage her to grumble as I pick her up. She is willing to forgive me by way of one of the following; pecan, sunflower or safflower seed, almond, walnut or corn on the cob.

 

[Geslina]

How is dear Max doing after his surgery?

Max is doing awesome! I updated my fracture thread with the results of his last vet visit - the fractured bone is showing signs of mending with new bone growth around the implant, and he is off the cage rest, out of his plastic box, allowed to perch and climb, and I have him back in his old cage. Still plan on buying a new one, but for now, I have all his perches down low and a few layers of soft towels in the bottom. The only negative the vet said is that his range of motion is limited in the leg with the fracture, but that is to be expected, and will improve with more exercise.

I think good advice for anyone who has a bird, you should always have a little emergency fund set aside, just in case. All together, not counting cost of a new cage, Max’s fracture cost me about $10,000. No small amount. He was worth every penny, but oh there were other things I could have done with that money - I need new furniture, or I could have gone to Paris! But I am grateful I was able to scrape it together, that not having money was not part of my decision for his care. Probably for a lot of people, it is, and that’s a shame.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

So much better to have Max fixed than take a trip or buy furniture! He's yo2ur loving life companion and you can't put a price on that unless you simply don't have the means or an avian vet nearby. You and Max are so fortunate.