JAVA WITH LYMPHOMA?? VERY WORRIED ANY ADVICE??

[JavaLover]

Hi there folks,
I am very worried about my male java finch. I have had him for 18months but I am not sure how old he is (not very I don't think). He has recently developed a large lump next to his anus. I took him to my mates vet surgery and he suggested it was limpoma (I am guessing you can spell it either way- lymphoma) fatty tissue lump. The lumps size is what scares me the most. it is just smaller than a 5c piece (AUD)across. I am going to see a specialist tomorrow (1hour drive from my house and first consultation 5 times what I paid for him... I love the little bugger!!) so I am hoping he can tell me more. I am very worried for him!! and so his his little girlfriend!!

Has anyone out there had this problem with these little guys or other finches and is there anything else I can do to help him, make him better? I am preparing for the worst but the first vet said they may be able to change his diet to shrink the lump before surgery (that I can't afford!!) does anyone know anything about this? They don't think he is going to die too soon but I would love to hear if anyone else knows about this and what I can do/expect. I am doing my best to keep him warm but he wont just sit up in the nest box (he can still fly up there easily) so I have covered the cage up. Other than that, I have to wash his bum to keep him clean. ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS MUCH APPRICATED!!!

[beccafigs]

Yikes I don't have any advice, or experience in this matter. It sounds like you are doing the best you can though. Good luck and keep us posted!

[JavaLover]

Thanks for your concern! I have taken him to the specialist and he seems to think that it might just be an abcess. That is more promising than lymphoma or cancer. He is so small though the guy is going to treat him as a bit of a challenge and not charge me excessive amounts of money. He is the best around but he will have to operate today! I am taking his girlfriend down to see him and stay with him (isn't it good they let you do that!!) so maybe that will help. She is a bit frantic.

I'll let you all know how the surgery goes FINGERS CROSSED for the poor little guy!! I love him so much!!

[Sally]

That is good that the vet is going to give you a break. I think most of these avian vets deal with the larger hookbills, and only rarely with a finch. Good luck with the surgery!

[L in Ontario]

I hope all went well with the surgery - keeping my fingers crossed for you. Let us know how it went.

[beccafigs]

How did the surgery go? It's a good thing you found a good vet. I hope everything went well!!!

[Geordie]

I keep Javas too, I love the little buggers, it was really hard to find a good vet here in Japan that had experience with any kind of birds, it's mostly neglected dog and cat specialists here, but I found one and was thorougly impressed by all the hi-tech equipment he had solely for birds.

Anyway, everytime I see Java in a topic title I always read it so please let us know how the little guy is doing.

BTW, do you keep them outside or inside?

[FeatherHarp]

JavaLover......how is your little bird doing today? We are all hoping for the best.

[JavaLover]

Hi guys,
Thanks you all so much for your support! It is a great comfort for me to read that other people care too! Unfortunately, my little birdie passed away. It makes me cry just writing this! The next day I when I took his mate down there the vet told me he wasn't doing very well. I saw him and he was all fluffed up and looked tired so as many of you probably know, it was close to the end. That night they went to give him anti-inflammatories since he was too unwell to operate but as they put him back in the cage he gave up. The best part of it all is that his little mate was able to spend the time there too and now she knows that he is gone. The vet told me that she was upset but they left his little body in there for a few hours so she knew what had happened. they then kept her for a few days and gave her a check over and she seems healthy.
Interestingly, they did a post mortem and my little boy was actually a little girl so now I am not sure on the sex of the other one. I thought I had it sussed but if anyone knows a definate way to tell them apart except for DNA testing I would love to know. Aparrently it was a hernia caused by problems with the intestine so they would not have been able to operate anyway. (I am still refering to her as a he to save confusion for me and you!)
I went to a bird show to get another mate but I could not find any javas there. I did however buy another cage and two gouldians and two quails so there is some company in the room. I also learnt a lot more about looking after these little cuties!!
I am still looking for a partner for my little girl so hopefully something will come up soon.
Thanks so much for listening guys, I just have to get it all out sometimes!!

[JavaLover]

Hi guys,
Thanks you all so much for your support! It is a great comfort for me to read that other people care too! Unfortunately, my little birdie passed away. It makes me ball my eyes out just writing this! The next day I when I took his mate down there the vet told me he wasn't doing very well. I saw him and he was all fluffed up and looked tired so as many of you probably know, it was close to the end. That night they went to give him anti-inflammatories since he was too unwell to operate but as they put him back in the cage he gave up. The best part of it all is that his little mate was able to spend the time there too and now she knows that he is gone. The vet told me that she was upset but they left his little body in there for a few hours so she knew what had happened. they then kept her for a few days and gave her a check over and she seems healthy.
I have not cried so much for a very long time!!! I am a big wuss!!

Interestingly, they did a post mortem and my little boy was actually a little girl so now I am not sure on the sex of the other one. I thought I had it sussed but if anyone knows a definate way to tell them apart except for DNA testing I would love to know.
Aparrently it was a hernia caused by problems with the intestine so they would not have been able to operate anyway. (I am still refering to her as a he to save confusion for me and you! I hope it worked!)
I went to a bird show to get another mate but I could not find any javas there. I did however buy another cage and two gouldians and two quails so she has some company in the room. I also learnt a lot more about looking after these little cuties!! I have a lot of fish tanks so the finches are pretty new to me.
I am still looking for a partner for my little girl so hopefully something will come up soon.
Thanks so much for listening guys, I just have to get it all out sometimes!!
I have buried his little body in a pot plant as a living tribute to my little Chirpy Boy (Girl)!!

Geordie... I keep them all inside next to a large screen door as I live in a busy part of town on the ground floor of a block of flats. I don't trust people around here as far as I can kick them unfortunately!!! They still get some fresh air and sunshine but I can't wait to move house!!!

[beccafigs]

Aww I'm very sorry to hear how things turned out. I would be crying my eyes out too, you're not a wuss. I haven't had any losses yet but I know I will just be a wreck. I hope you're doing better. You did the best you could, and I hope that his little buddy gets along okay alone until you can find her a new friend.

[Sally]

JavaLover, I am so sorry for your loss. It is always so hard to lose our little friends, but you certainly went above and beyond in trying to save him.

[FeatherHarp]

Oh no! I was hoping for some good news. It sounds like everything was done that could be....I am sorry you had to go through all that worry and grief.

[chrischris]

soo sorry for your loss.

[Geordie]

Take solace in the fact that she was loved by you, and she probably knew it.