Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 4/7/2007

Question
I took my bird to the vet today because she has a large bulge near her rear end, thinking that maybe it was an egg stuck or something (she's a 7 year old budgie who has never layed eggs, but we recently introduce a male bird into the house). It turns out that this bulge (which is now almost the size of a ping pong ball on my poor little bird) is a tumour. I was given the option of her having surgery, taking her home until she was suffering horribly or died, or putting her down. She is still really perky and happy so I chose to not put her down. Apparently this tumour will keep on growing and will eventually squish her organs and kill her (it's about the size of her head at the moment for what is protruding form her body). I chose to take her home and let her enjoy whatever time she has left. I was just wondering if anyone here knows what the survival chance is of a bird having surgery, and what they would do in these circumstances. I'm really uneasy about my decision because if she can get better I would like to help her as much as I can. If anyone knows anything or has any opinions based on the circumstances, I'd like to hear them.


Answer
Hi, Jamil.  Thanks for posting.

You addressed your question to me only, so I'll respond.  If you want other opinions from experts on this website, you'll need to send your question to other people directly.

This is a really difficult decision.  Did they give you any information about survival rates, etc.?  I would have the surgery performed if it were my bird, but I go to great lengths to try and save the lives of animals.  The problem with surgery is the anesthesia that would be used to put the bird to sleep for the surgery.  Some animals do not do well under anesthesia.  I would elect for the surgery because it's always difficult for me to determine when is the best time to let a bird go.  Also, you may not be aware of the amount of pain your bird might be in as the time grows closer...I wouldn't want my bird to suffer at all.  And then, can you make the right decision at the right time?  People tend to think of themselves more than thinking of their animals when faced with a decision like this.  In other words, in making the decision to take your bird home, were you thinking about your feelings more than what your bird will have to go through?  Not accusing, just asking.  

The only way your bird will get better is to have the surgery, and this is risky, and your bird may not survive even with the surgery.  You have to think about the bird's comfort, the chances of this bird's survival with/without the surgery, her age, etc.  At 7 years of age, your budgie is becoming elderly.  A budgie can live twice this age if well cared for, but average/normal survival age is about 4-6 years at best.

Birds tend to not show signs of illness, feeling bad, etc., as an instinctive measure to prevent predation.  Your bird might not feel so well and still show signs of being perky and happy.  When she can't hide symptoms of not feeling well any longer, she'll go down fast.

I'm not sure if I've been any help for you.

Chrys