Budgie under distress

Question
QUESTION: My cat keeps going after the birds cage and trying to jump on the cage. I came home today and the bird was nervous,looking sad and depressed.  He was not chirping and talking and got me worried. His head was lowered and he didn't want to sit on his chirp or swing like he always does. I took him out of his cage and he wanted to be held and pet. He was shaking and some of his feathers were missing on his neck and chest. It looks really raw. he e usually wants to nip at me when i hold him but wanted to be pet and felt somewhat safe on my shoulder too. My children are worried. Is he under stress form the cat bothering him? Should I find another home for the cat? My kids love the bird and rather keep the bird since we had for 4 years. The cat is rather new 7 months. Please help to make Buddy feel better. Thanks Lorie and family
ANSWER: Hi, Lorie.  Thanks for posting!

YES, your bird is under much stress!  Cats are natural predators to birds (particularly kittens).  Your cat would love to kill this bird and the bird knows this.  You need to keep the cat and bird separated from each other...how you do this is up to you.  Your bird wants you to keep it safe from the cat...this is why he's clinging to you like your describe.  Depending on the type of cage your bird is in, the cat can probably get its paws through the cage wire.  I've seen birds who have been completely ripped up by a cat who reached through the cage to get at the bird.

Chrys

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

QUESTION: We wrapped up the bird in warm towels and we are trying to feed the bird water and pedialyte with a dropper. Do you suggest anything alse? He is not moving around or chirping. his eyes open once in a while. Should we let him rest? The vet suggested to keep him on pedialyte. Thanks Lorie and family

Answer
Hi again, Lorie.

Your bird must be injured or under EXTREME stress, perhaps in shock.  Shock can kill fast.  I didn't understand this based on your original post...I thought your bird was just a bit shaken up.  Are you getting advice from a certified avian vet (a regular cat/dog vet isn't good enough)?  

You shouldn't have to actually wrap the bird up in warm towels.  This would add more stress to your bird that is already stressed out enough.  I would recommend keeping the bird warm with a heating pad under a "hospital" type cage (where the bird is restricted in his activity).  With a heating pad, you can provide heat 24/7 whereas some type of heat lamp would need to be turned off so the bird could rest.  Your bird needs lots of rest to get over extreme stress and/or shock.  The bird needs to be kept in a quiet, least active area of your home, and be kept warm, fed, and hydrated (with Pedialyte).  The bird needs food, too, in order to get better.  Is this bird eating at all?  Was this bird handfed as a baby?  Does the bird have any type of injuries from the cat?  If so, cat's nails contain many germs.  If the bird was scratched by the cat, there could be an infection in this area.

I'm really concerned about the bird keeping its eyes closed.  The not moving around or chirping is expected for a few days considering what the bird has been through, but keeping the eyes closed tells me there is something more serious going on.  Sometimes when a bird keeps its eyes closed, it is in shock and/or dehydrated.  I'm surprised your bird vet didn't take more action regarding this situation.

Chrys