We may have to put mango down :( urgent feed back please!

[Leel]

I’ll say sorry for all the typos in advance seeming as I'm pretty upset..

Long story short Mango got an infected oil gland earlier this year we got the rather expensive check up and treatment from the vet. She told us to remove some of the puss and give him drops every day we did this until the meds ran out it seemed pretty healthy being just a small lump and I could no longer get any puss out.
Recently it came back, I’ve been wanting to return to vet for awhile to get more meds but mum and dad cant bother because of the cost and I'm still in school and jobless so money is hard for me to get too. It got bigger so I tried getting out some puss but it was pretty scabby and swollen and nothing came out plus I could seen mango didn't like been held. Today I managed to hold him a little and had a glance at it.
It is now the size-ish of his head, scabby, and has what seems to be a huge amount of puss just under the skin. I've left it in fears of making it worse and pretty much cried as soon as i saw it because I think it might be too much.

Mum thinks Tanti our other budgie knows his sick and that’s why she attacks him at times. I’m sure she’s just being bossy but now i have no idea.
I have no idea what to do mum seems to think we can take him to the vet tomorrow but knowing my parents :/
Sorry this is long and probably has loads of spelling errors i just feel pretty lost at the moment.
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UPDATE:
Firstly, I checked again and it seems to have gone down a bit even though we haven’t done much, I’ll be going to the vet today and hopefully I can get a spare cage from our neighbour seeming as the one I thought we had is gone, Dad had a talk with me about not beating myself up about been a bad owner and how I should b prepared for anything.
Thank you everyone for your kind words, thoughts and of course the advice you’ve offered me.
Lastly I managed to get a photo of the infection; the lighting is pretty bad so it doesn’t look as bad in the picture. It is mostly covered by feathers so it is larger than it looks too, hopefully this can help you guys with advice as you know what I’m talking about thank you again!

http://fc06.deviantart.com/fs51/f/2009/274/7/1/ew_by_Dragon_Loyalty.jpg

[pal0m1n0]

The preen gland can be removed surgically and apparently they can do quite well without it. Did you try warm compresses on it? That can help soften things so the liquid can drain. I just went through this with a budgie who ended up having a cloacal prolapse and I don't know if it is related, but I sure wish I had had the gland removed. I had her put down.

You bird is probably in some pain since the swelling will be putting pressure on other areas.

[Leel]

Yes, I'm sure he is in pain, whats the heat compression thing you did that could help, As for removing it up to the vet really I'd prefer to remove it as i have heard most birds except water birds can do fine without it.
Do you think it might be worth putting him in a spare cage?
Thank you so much for replying!

[DannyxSam]

i think u should make a wet towel cover the birds swollen part to ease it up and try again

[ronsig]

Yes, seperate him from the other bird. In the wild budgies will exclude sick budgies from their flock. That's in their instinct.
Put her in a separate cage and keep her warm.
Put a cloth in warm water and put it on the swollen area and hold it for a while. Maybe it will soften the scab and drain the liquid.

I hope the vet can help Mango.


Sigrid

[Leel]

thank you both of you, It's late now but I'll certainly try out your ideas.

[critter mom]

sounds like you have got some good advise. I would second the warm wet cloth and seperate cage. My thoughts are with you.

[pal0m1n0]

I used tea bags, it holds the heat longer, but be careful it isn't too hot and you squeeze out the extra liquid. It will of course stain the feathers.

[Robin's Nest]

Leel, I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I just wanted to tell you I'll be thinking of you during this difficult time.

[Pippin's mom]

Hi Leel.:) I'm so sorry that Mango isn't doing well.:( There isn't anything I can add to the advice already given.just know that you and Mango are in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us updated.

[Leel]

UPDATE again:
Went to the vet got some more drops to clear the infection and the vet got rid of some of the puss. She said he'll be fine in the cage and to continue giving him 1 drop a day and also remove some puss myself. Other than that he is a pretty healthy little budgie!
I think once all the scabs and puss clear up i'll try the heat thing as this vet didn't seem to know about it. she isn't specialized in birds but she gave me a number to call for a vet that is.

[ronsig]

That's great news.:)
When you use the "heat" make sure it is only warm. If it feels hot to you, don't use it. We don't want to burn your little bird...

Sigrid

[pal0m1n0]

If she showed you how to remove the pus and it works without applying a compress, then you don't need to do it. I did because a compress will open pores in the skin and soften it and tends to bring stuff closer to the surface. Of course the heat will also kill some bacteria. My vet said it was fine to use a compress and the tea bag was a good idea.

[Leel]

Yeah, thats why I'm planning to leave it without heat untill it is much smaller like the first time. seeming as it was too small for me to remove anything but still visible. This time if it happens i'll try the heating :)

[CharlieC]

good luck mango.xx