Scratch or crack down middle of cere

[criswell]

I don't know how Criswell has injured himself but it looks like he has a crack down the middle of his cere. There is a teeny bit of red on it which I assume is blood. He's only allowed out to fly when someone is in the room with him and I haven't seen him fly into anything so maybe he has managed to hurt himself while in his cage. I don't think I'll be able to photograph it well enough to show you as my camera isn't good at close range and Criswell is very wary of it.

Is there anything that a vet will be able to do or will it heal ok on it's own? It doesn't seem to be bothering him.

[ffiscool]

oh dear... sorry, I don't know, but someone will.. hope he is ok. obviously not in pain though, which is good..

[Budgies Retreat]

My very first budgie, Charlie has damage to his cere, and although you can see red where the nostril hole is enlarged, it has never affected him, or gotten worse. I have never interfered with it, and it doesn't bother him. We were told by the breeder that his mother done it when he was in the nest, and was removed for safety. Personally I don't believe that, but he has no issues with it.
However, like any new injury, if you are concerned then you should seek a vet's advice, rather than people's opinions on here, just to satisfy your own mind.

[Hezz]

If he doesn't seem bothered by it, and it seems, from others who have had this happen, that it doesn't necessarily, let him be, but watch him carefully. If you see anything odd with it, any secretion coming from the wound itself, get him looked at; that is how I would approach the situation. It might was wise to keep him contained for a couple of days, to make sure he doesn't make it worse.

[criswell]

Thanks everyone.

Budgies Retreat, I'm glad Charlie's cere damage doesn't affect him.

Hezz, thank you for the advice. He's eating fine and singing away this morning. I will be watching him very closely for the next couple of days. I've had a good look at him this morning and it does look like a crack. There is no sign of fresh blood or discharge on his cere. I won't encourage him to come out but I probably will have to let him out when he wants to otherwise he'll be flapping around his cage non stop. He likes coming out so much now. Our avian vet's next surgery is on Tuesday so if it looks any worse we'll take him along then. Is it going to stay cracked forever or will it heal back together?

[Hezz]

I have not been there, I am sorry, but I understand that they heal. If he starts getting crazy to come out, then of course, the best thing is to let him have that time. He won't understand why not.

[criswell]

He HAD to come out and is sitting on a perch that I'm holding and we're having a chat. We spend a lot of time doing that.

[skysmum]

Bless him . I believe one of FFG's buds did the same thing and it healed well. As others have said just keep an eye out for any infection or nastiness.

[criswell]

Thanks skysmum. I hope it doesn't take long to heal. I'm glad it's not bothering him. I'll have to be even more careful to make sure he doesn't hurt himself again.

[criswell]

Thanks skysmum for mentioning FFG had a bird with a split cere. I found his thread and it was good to see that the split in Rio's cere healed in 2 weeks. Criswell's split isn't as big as the one Rio had so hopefully it'll heal well too.

[Hezz]

I hope so too. Poor little man. I couldn't remember who it was who had recently been through the same thing.

[criswell]

Criswell's cere is almost completely healed up now I pleased that it didn't take long and that it hasn't bothered him at all.

[OP]

That is good to know. I hope you told him not to it again.

[skysmum]

So good to know, they do seem to heal quite quickly

[Hezz]

That is great news, criswell. I am so happy for you. Now it is just the wretched AGY to keep under control.