Jul 24, 2015 9:50:21 GMT
bertiebird15
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 9
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Post by bertiebird15 on Jul 24, 2015 9:53:27 GMT
Hi, our baby budgie is approximately 10 weeks old and I've recently noticed that the feathers above his cere are grubby. Having googled (I know, never trust google!) I think the cause must be either a vitamin deficiency (he's very reluctant to use his vitamin block and to eat veggies) or a respiratory infection. He isn't wheezing and there isn't any mucal build up around his nostrils, he doesn't make a coughing sound and he doesn't prop his beak open on the cage. Any ideas?
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Post by Hezz on Jul 24, 2015 10:40:09 GMT
Photos, please. It could even be that he is moulting ans what you are seeing are pin feather tips. We need a good focused close up photo to see what is going on.
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May 7, 2015 8:57:40 GMT
fluffball
Normal Violet
Shakira makes me shake my tail feather!
Posts: 202
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Post by fluffball on Jul 24, 2015 11:34:39 GMT
Teddy had a very small dirty area above his cere for a while - I gave him broccoli and other veg - and a sprinkle of guardian angel to ensure that it wasn't a vitamin deficiency. Seems that it's simply old feathers and the news ones are coming in clean and bright.
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Post by suesbird on Jul 24, 2015 12:25:02 GMT
Yep my little grubby Pippin also has a grubby face and it is his pinnies comes through making it look dirty. Once they were through he was a bright white (not for long as he usually has green tinges from veggies and grasses)
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Jul 24, 2015 9:50:21 GMT
bertiebird15
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 9
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Post by bertiebird15 on Jul 24, 2015 15:31:48 GMT
I've attached a comparison - two photos taken exactly a month apart. The bottom one is the first - 24th June, and the top one the second - 24th July. I really hope you're right and it's just old feathers! Thank you!
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Jul 24, 2015 16:11:07 GMT
I'd say that he could have an infection or a vitamin A deficiency, but I am not a vet,
I'd take him to an avian vet as that staining doesn't look normal to me.
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May 7, 2015 8:57:40 GMT
fluffball
Normal Violet
Shakira makes me shake my tail feather!
Posts: 202
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Post by fluffball on Jul 24, 2015 17:12:40 GMT
Yes, I think Marianne is right - that doesn't look like simply grubby feathers...definitely get him on the guardian angel powder and dark green vegetables right away - and speak to the vet. You can get guardian angel on ebay: link
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Jul 24, 2015 9:50:21 GMT
bertiebird15
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 9
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Post by bertiebird15 on Jul 24, 2015 17:15:41 GMT
Thank you - I'm taking him to the vet on Monday and have ordered some vitamin supplements recommended by his breeder which should be here tomorrow! The next question is how to get him to eat his veggies!
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Post by suesbird on Jul 24, 2015 17:53:59 GMT
Pippin's are not that bad, just above his cere. Hope you go on ok
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Jul 24, 2015 9:50:21 GMT
bertiebird15
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 9
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Post by bertiebird15 on Jul 24, 2015 17:58:55 GMT
I only noticed them being that...brown, really, yesterday. Hopefully the vet will be able to put us on the right path!
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Post by ffiscool on Jul 24, 2015 22:13:51 GMT
Bailey has the same. He rubs his head and must bleed and its dry blood as pin feathers come through. He went to the vet a few times, afterI had had him only a few weeks. They thought vit A deficiency and I had meds too. But he is over 2 now and mostly he looks like that. Not saying it's the same and you do need check it, but I now accept that is Bailey. I give him vit drops and calcium.
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Post by Hezz on Jul 25, 2015 0:59:29 GMT
If it has only come through so quickly, have you tried washing it off? It may not be anything serious.
If it is a vitamin deficiency, his feather health will be compromised as well, and he may well have white plaque spots in his mouth and on his tongue. Is this the case? The other thing to consider is a possible respiratory infection. A respiratory infection can be a symptom of Vit A def as well, but they can simply get infections the same as we do.
My first move would be giving his face a wash to see if he simply has rubbed his head somewhere he shouldn't have. Make sure there is no rust in anything he has - cage, toys, particularly bells.
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Jul 24, 2015 9:50:21 GMT
bertiebird15
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 9
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Post by bertiebird15 on Jul 25, 2015 7:04:18 GMT
Thanks for all your ideas.
How would you suggest washing it off? Would a cotton bud dipped in warm water work?
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Post by Hezz on Jul 25, 2015 9:15:53 GMT
I doubt it. Use a cloth of some sort, like a washer, chux etc. Don't use a cotton ball in case it leaves pieces caught in his feathers. If you feel he is too wet when you finish, you can always give him a dry off with a hair dryer on on low heat and with your hand in the way to be sure he is not too close or getting too hot.
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Jul 24, 2015 9:50:21 GMT
bertiebird15
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 9
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Post by bertiebird15 on Jul 28, 2015 18:28:16 GMT
Hi all - thank you so much for your replies. Took Bertie to the vet on Monday and he thinks Bertie previously had an upper respiratory tract infection but is now fine - the staining is from old discharge and will go when he moults. He thinks he's blue-ing up nicely and has given us supplements to put in his water until he gets the knack of veggies!
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