Apr 28, 2019 15:21:39 GMT
perryandamy
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 12
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Post by perryandamy on Apr 28, 2019 15:33:42 GMT
Hiya, I've had my budgie Perry for 6 months now, and he's around 10 months old. When I first got him I noticed a bald spot on the right side of his neck. Now he has another 2 under his left wing and they seem to irritate him at times - what could this be and should I get him seen by a vet? Thank you
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Post by Hezz on Apr 29, 2019 0:52:58 GMT
The second photo shows the bird's feathers rather ruffled and scruffy. Is this how she normally looks? (I think she is a hen, by the way) Have her wings been clipped or is that the full complement of the bud's flight feathers? If not clipped at all and hasn't been through a big moult recently, I think you might have a bit more of a problem than you realise. I think she might have French Moult, and if there are patches of feathers missing where the skin seems irritated, then a visit to an avian vet would be a good idea. She may have a skin allergy or infection that is in need of treatment.
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Apr 28, 2019 15:21:39 GMT
perryandamy
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 12
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Post by perryandamy on Apr 29, 2019 7:26:36 GMT
The second photo shows the bird's feathers rather ruffled and scruffy. Is this how she normally looks? (I think she is a hen, by the way) Have her wings been clipped or is that the full complement of the bud's flight feathers? If not clipped at all and hasn't been through a big moult recently, I think you might have a bit more of a problem than you realise. I think she might have French Moult, and if there are patches of feathers missing where the skin seems irritated, then a visit to an avian vet would be a good idea. She may have a skin allergy or infection that is in need of treatment. Thank you! The breeder at the pet shop said that Perry was a boy, whoops. The wings haven't been clipped and the feathers do tend to look ruffled - I've booked an appointment to have her seen by a vet.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,743
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Apr 29, 2019 8:12:14 GMT
I agree about the French Moult. Also agree that your bird is a hen I hope the vet can tell you what the bald patches are. She's a very pretty girl by the way and seems very comfortable with you.
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Post by Hezz on Apr 29, 2019 9:02:14 GMT
I do hope you get some answers from your vet. Please let us know what they suggest and how she can be helped. She is a lovely little thing ... How well does she fly, btw?
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,743
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Apr 29, 2019 12:41:51 GMT
I'd be surprised if she can gain any height at all when she flies.
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Apr 28, 2019 15:21:39 GMT
perryandamy
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 12
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Post by perryandamy on Apr 29, 2019 14:22:17 GMT
I do hope you get some answers from your vet. Please let us know what they suggest and how she can be helped. She is a lovely little thing ... How well does she fly, btw? Thank you, I'll let you know what they say. Perry does fly but not at a great height, she use to be able too, but now she drops down.
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Apr 28, 2019 15:21:39 GMT
perryandamy
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 12
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Post by perryandamy on Apr 29, 2019 14:22:36 GMT
I agree about the French Moult. Also agree that your bird is a hen I hope the vet can tell you what the bald patches are. She's a very pretty girl by the way and seems very comfortable with you. Thank you!
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Apr 28, 2019 15:21:39 GMT
perryandamy
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 12
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Post by perryandamy on Apr 29, 2019 17:05:31 GMT
Hi all, I've just gotten back from the vet and I am still uncertain on whether it is mites or French molt - The vet also kept on calling Perry a male. I have a follow on appointment booked next week, for a skin sample to be taken and to see if the mite treatment he put on Perry has worked. Would you all say that Perry is a Hen? As I am still confused. Thank you for your help!
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Apr 28, 2019 15:21:39 GMT
perryandamy
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 12
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Post by perryandamy on Apr 29, 2019 18:18:49 GMT
Is this correct? Sorry for asking so many questions, just want to make sure that everything is correct, so I can look after Perry the best way possible! X
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Post by Hezz on Apr 29, 2019 19:19:26 GMT
Was the vet an avian specialist? General vets really have no idea how to sex a budgie, and I wouldn't be too thrown by what one might have said.
I don't agree with your male/female chart; it is too simplistic. What is making us think that your bird is a hen is the whiteness around her nares. This could be due to the lighting in the photo, if you think the photo shows it up more than Perry shows in real life. Describe what it is that you see, please.
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Apr 28, 2019 15:21:39 GMT
perryandamy
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 12
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Post by perryandamy on Apr 29, 2019 19:23:19 GMT
Was the vet an avian specialist? General vets really have no idea how to sex a budgie, and I wouldn't be too thrown by what one might have said. I don't agree with your male/female chart; it is too simplistic. What is making us think that your bird is a hen is the whiteness around her nares. This could be due to the lighting in the photo, if you think the photo shows it up more than Perry shows in real life. Describe what it is that you see, please. Yes, he's the only local avian specialist near where I live. The cere seems to be dark/deep blue towards the bottom and lightens up at the top near the nostrils (similar to the male budgie on the right side of the chart), if that is any help. I can understand why Perry may be a girl, just wanted to double check!
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Post by Hezz on Apr 29, 2019 19:30:27 GMT
To be honest, at this stage whether Perry is male or female is not going to make any difference to your care. A shame you don't have a choice of vet, but them many don't have access to an avian vet at all. Maybe Perry is going to be one of these buds that keep people guessing for a time. Did the vet give you any indication as to what they thought the problem with Perry's lack of flight feathers might be? Some vets do need to be pushed for answers and don't simply offer up advice or opinions. They will only talk about the problem you have specified.
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Apr 28, 2019 15:21:39 GMT
perryandamy
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 12
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Post by perryandamy on Apr 29, 2019 19:50:31 GMT
To be honest, at this stage whether Perry is male or female is not going to make any difference to your care. A shame you don't have a choice of vet, but them many don't have access to an avian vet at all. Maybe Perry is going to be one of these buds that keep people guessing for a time. Did the vet give you any indication as to what they thought the problem with Perry's lack of flight feathers might be? Some vets do need to be pushed for answers and don't simply offer up advice or opinions. They will only talk about the problem you have specified. I did point out to the vet about how his left wing is shorter than the right, but he didn't give an answer to why - or even inspect it! I am starting to suspect myself that is could be French molt, as whilst he was at the vets 6 or 7 small feathers fell off of the left wing leaving another small bald patch. Although it may of been from the way the vet was holding a wriggling Perry. The only thing he said was it was a waiting game, I have an appointment with him next Tuesday to see if the mite treatment has worked and to take a skin sample from his neck. He suspects it could be mites but believes that if it worsens it's French molt. I've attached two photos showing 2 of the 3 bald patches. Thank you for all your help so far!
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,743
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Apr 29, 2019 22:03:01 GMT
I have a very vocal female. She sings and headbobs like a boy.
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