I thought I should let you know what the blood test results were. I talked to the vet just now. She said he was a very sick bird, he had a very severe problem with his liver...something about his bile was way up, and because of the liver problem his blood glucose was REALLY high - the top of the normal range is four hundred something, and his was over 1,000. So the liver problem caused diabetes. When she examined him she felt a lump, and she thinks he may have had a tumor on his liver. It wasn't anything that could have been cured, and based on the results of the blood test, he wouldn't have lived more than a few days. Arnie was really really sick.

Everyone, PLEASE use my poor Arnie as an example.....DO NOT wait to get qualified, avian veterinary help for your babies if you notice ANY change. I'll tell you the changes I noticed in Arnie, starting a few weeks ago. I didn't take him in because we couldn't afford it. If we had the money, I would have been at the vet's office as soon as I noticed his swollen vent.

*The first thing I noticed was that his vent area seemed swollen.
*Arnie was lethargic, he was sleeping more than usual.
*His poop turned yellow, and more watery than normal.
*His vent area was constantly soiled with droppings (I constantly was wiping him off with a warm, damp paper towel).
*His feathers looked dirty and unkempt (his down feathers were sticking out every which way, and no amount of bathing helped).

Thanks for reading,
Dani

Once again, I'm sorry for your loss!

Thank you, it's getting a little easier...I'm not so sad anymore.

Dani,
I am so sorry about this.......once again I am so sorry about Arnie.....

Did the vet say what could have caused this? I mean any one certain thing?
like the others I am so sorry for your lost,you and your family are in our prayers..

Budgies are prone to tumors. If we had taken an X-ray, it would have shown an enlarged liver, and a tumor most likely. That's the only real bad thing about budgies.

I didn't know that.. My mom had one, but she woldn't take it to the vet for anything..
Dani, I am so sorry about Arnie.. I know I will start to pay close attention from now on thanks to Arnie, and his memory will live on forever....

Dani, I'm truly sorry you;ve lost Arnie, but it was not in vain...You've given everyone a reminder that even the slightest change in a birds behavior or symptoms is reason for concern. Especially if they are lethargic and if their poop has different color or consistency.

Sending you big Hugs!

Thank you, Connie. I hope that by posting the warning signs and Arnie's diagnosis I can prevent at least one bird from the same fate...

Dani---just know that you tried your best to help Arnie when you felt convinced that something wasn't right..and even if you had gotten him in back when you noticed the first signs, it could have already been too late...It just may have been a diagnosis that couldn't have been helped even with vet care...

I'm glad it is getting a little easier for you....but I know it does hurt and you'll always remember little Arnie..
You've been real strong through it all and thanks for a new learning lesson for us all.........

Thank you for sharing that information with us. I am very sorry for your loss

I am sorry about your loss but thank you for sharing this with us.

Glad you are feeling better! I hate that you lost Arnie, but he isn't suffering any more. Again sorry for your loss.

Thank you for sharing the warning signs with us. I am so sorry for your loss. Fly free Arnie!

Yellow feces often is one to two things: Giarrdia or Liver problems. Poor guy - it sounds like he was really sick and birds are so adept at hiding that until its too late. Even if this found quicker, his time was likely short. Surgical removal of the tumor may have resulted in the same outcome especially since the liver is so very fragile to work with.

I am glad you got some answers on what happened. He had a good life with you and again, sorry about your loss.

Sending hugs your way. I am sorry for your loss. I will always keep an eye out for those things that you warned us about, now that I know.

So sorry for Arnie's passing. Thank-you for posting the warning sign's. I'm glad your feeling better. Hugs going your way....................

I just read your post about Arnie, I am so very sorry.
Thank you for the update and what to look for, it's a shame that vets charge so much and yet I know they have to make a living too. Some will let you make payments, but I know mine won't. I just pray that my guys stay healthy.
Again, my heartfelt symphany to you.
Dodol

Thank you very much. It gets easier every day. I go talk to Arnie often, and today Zach and I put flowers on his grave.