Igor is a disabled budgie that I recently adopted from a Petsmart. She has wing deformities and cannot fly, possible back issues, weak foot grip, and can’t walk/run normally or for very long. She is very young and has shown me a little spice so I’m hopeful that she can have a happy and full life.
However, I agreed to take in Igor under the assumption that she was similar to my other two disabled budgies…but she’s not. My other two, Helmet and Stubs, also cannot fly…Stubs is missing half a wing and Helmet is a mystery as he appears totally normal (though vet speculates old injury that may cause pain if he tries to fly). I figured I already had a big cage adapted to the disabled budgies, plus another spare cage that would work great for her if need be, and a ton of things I’ve designed and built just for their needs. So, adding Igor didn’t seem like a big deal.
Sadly, Igor has significant problems with getting around. Not only can she not fly, but she cannot walk normally and it’s difficult for her to move efficiently. She has trouble perching, or even holding herself upright for long periods, and spends a lot of time laying flat on her belly. Her foot grip doesn’t appear strong, as when she does try to climb, she has to put forth a lot of effort, and yet still falls/slides/loses her grip easily.
I was not prepared to take on a bird that would need even more specialized care than my other two. I do not think the Petsmart employees…who did do their best for her and showed immense compassion…knew the extent of her condition as well.
I do not think Igor will be able to ever join the flock in my main cage, which is what I had planned. Now, I am quickly having to shift all plans, and make time for Igor that I just didn’t have right now.
But the main concern is money. Igor was seen by the vet that Petsmart uses twice, so I did not expect I’d need to see a vet for further assessment right off the bat. But the Petsmart vet did not do any assessments of the extent of her deformities, but did put her on pain meds thinking her labored breathing might be pain. So now I need to take Igor to the vet for radiographs, some tests to make sure she’s otherwise healthy, and ensure she isn’t actually in pain. Exotic vets are extraordinarily expensive, and I was not at all expecting or able to spend a lot on her right from the get go.
Assuming she is not in pain and the vet thinks she can still live a happy life, I will then be faced with designing a completely new cage for Igor‘s specific needs. I’ve built a special needs cage before but her needs differ and I basically will have to start from scratch. I had expected she would join the flock in the big cage soon, but she won’t be able to get around that cage well. So she’ll need her own. Cage building is insanely expensive as well, even though I diy the vast majority of it. It really adds up. I need certain types of wood for ramps and platforms, plexiglass to create safety barriers, I’ll need to figure out some padding situation for places she lays, I can only use stainless steel hardware as other metals are toxic for parrots, I’ll need to build a stand for the cage to get it high up off the ground to help her feel safe and secure, she’ll need toys/things to chew, I’m expecting to need to design a special platform that makes eating easier for her, etc etc.
I’ll likely need to get her a different cage than my existing disabled cage, and all of my cage lights are now on my big cage so I will need one or two of those as well. They’re avian specific lights and run around $100 a piece.
So as you all can see by now, she may be “just a budgie”, but she deserves a shot at a great life, and the costs to make that happen add up quickly. I simply was not expecting this, and I’m not in a situation where this is affordable. I can give her the best life that she would ever be able to have, and then some, but I will need your help to make that happen. I’m pretty good at hunting for deals and cutting costs where possible, but it just adds up insanely fast no matter what approach I take.
So, if you are able, please consider donating to help Igor get the care she needs, and the life she deserves! I will be sure to share any and all progress updates and all of the creations I make just for her, so you can all (hopefully!) watch her find happiness, and thrive.
I truly appreciate any and all help. Thank you!
