Steroid injections for budgies

[classylady60]

My budgie who is 4 yrs old has chronic liver disease with all the associated problems of that (gut probs etc) and scratching round vent lots as per usual. The vet has given me Fuciderm (which is for dogs) for the scratching but I'm loathe to use it for obvious reasons.. so if anyone can give me some answers on this too I would appreciate it. Anyway, the vet now says that the last resort when it comes (because of the scratching of his body due to the liver disease) to make my budgie comfortable would be to give him steroid injections.... has anyone heard of this and if they have what results have they had? I am not happy with him injecting my budgie unless it's to save his life or prolong it comfortably, and steroids always seem such an aggressive form of treatment for anyone, let alone a little budgie. I haven't posted all the symptoms and treatments he's had here but I would really appreciate any answers/help/comments re this treatment and anything else anyone may be able to say. I'm really desperate for help as I've been trying to get help for over 3 yrs now and taken him to two different vets. Many thanks.

Chrissie x

[Noweia]

I'm sorry that you've had so many problems trying to get help for your budgie.

There aren't many drugs licensed for use in budgies - most drugs are made for dogs and cats, then horses and cattle, in that order - very little are specifically researched and designed for other species, unfortunately! Because of this, many veterinary drugs are used 'off-label' - vets follow a system called the 'cascade' which enables them to prescribe drugs that aren't specifically for use in a particular species.

Fuciderm is sometimes prescribed by vets for use on birds with itchy skin - this is an example of the use of a dog medicine on birds under the cascade system.

Steroids are commonly used in veterinary practice now - they are used to stop itching, help animals with allergies and to treat and prevent inflammation, for example around injuries. They do have side effects, usually increased thirst and sometimes, mood changes. For this reason they are mainly used when the problem they are treating is worse than the potential side effects. If your budgie is damaging the skin around his vent by scratching at it all the time, steroids might be able to stop the itchiness and help your poor budgie.

If your vet wants to try steroids, and you are unsure, tell him your concerns and he should listen, and explain to you why he wants to use those particular drugs. Likewise with Fuciderm - if you give the vet a ring he should be happy to talk to you about it!

Hope this helps!

[classylady60]

I wanted to reply to say very many thanks for your caring and comprehensive reply to my query. I guessed it was something like not many drugs being available for birds, but reading the leaflet enclosed re the Fuciderm it did scare me a bit so thank you for putting my mind at rest.

Also re the steroids, it really would have to be a last resort action with the side effects there are, especially as my little fella isn't too bad in himself just the liver condition making him scratch which is frustrating for him but he is coping at the moment. Must say I am not looking forward to his illness progressing, tho I know it will... but we keep him going with love and help him as much as we can.

Thank you so much for your response it is very much appreciated.

Chrissie x