Cockatiel age vs. wing amputation

Question
QUESTION: I have had my Cockatiel, Whistler for 20 years and I believe he was 5-7 yrs olds when I got him, therefore somewhere between age 21 and 27 since I really don't know.  He has had a fatty tumor on his wing for a year now and has had Vet care. Latest episode has required, per Vet that his home be in a large aquarium.  He has been on antibiotics and Metacam because he picked at his wind and caused it to bleed and he lost quite a bit of blood. He is better now and is in a 20 gallon tank and he is not that happy.  However my question is, at his age and with the stress factor would you recommend wing amputation? The next question is if he is happy in his bird cage and I lower the perches, isn't it better to have a happy bird than a quiet depressed bird? He is brought out of his home every day for attention.  Thanks

ANSWER: Has your vet recommended a wing amputation? That in itself seems like a lot of stress, but you should follow your vets advice on the issue. I really don't feel I can give you advise either way on this point, as I am NOT a veterinarian.

Now on the cage: Birds want to perch up in a branch. They will become very stressed out and unhappy if they cannot get up off of the ground to perch. They will feel "unsafe" and it is very stressful. Something I have found very helpful when a bird has an issue like your bird does, is putting them in a ferret cage. It is wide, rather than tall, and you can put the perches low to the ground and they will not have to stress out their body parts going up and down, and since the cage tops out directly above them, they still feel like they have perched high enough to be safe.

Blessings,
-m



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Basically I was told that it's really the only thing that will take the tumor away since they can't cut it out. It was an option and yes I would be taking a chance that at his age he wouldn't survive the surgery.  
Thank you for the advice on the ferret cage I think that's a good idea and worth trying. My goal is to keep him around and happy with a good quality of life as long as possible. Thank you.  Lisa

Answer
Last night another idea came to mind. You can also put driftwood in the bottom of the the cage for him to perch on, then he can walk up on it, and their is no need for him to use his wings at all. You can find it at pet stores, usually in the lizard area.

Is the tumor cancerous? If it isn't I might consider just treating it as needed. If he is aggravating it by chewing it, you might talk to your vet about putting a bird collar on him so he can't get to it anymore. I have to do this a lot with abused birds who mutilate themselves. He is an old guy, and I can tell you just want him to be comfy and happy.

Blessings,
-m