May 24, 2019 10:46:16 GMT
humminghaven
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 4
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Post by humminghaven on May 24, 2019 11:01:52 GMT
Hello, I'm new to this forum. I'm posting for a friend who is rather desperate. Her budgie is languishing and she doesn't know why. We live in Minsk, Belarus and she has looked all over the city but can't find any vet that can treat birds (certain resources are rare in this country). In the last 10 days he has had long periods of marked activity decline, sleeping, retching, and just not himself. He is losing weight, when she weighed him she found he lost 3 grams in a week. He has short periods where he seems active and himself, but then again he sleeps and or just sits and is obviously unwell. Before all this happened, he was always happy, interacted all day with the family, sang, tried to play my friend's phone (she sent me his "text" one time, so cute!), and generally behaved as a normal bird. They haven't changed anything, no food or water changes. He is about 3 years old.
The family recently went through a period of stress when a family member died, and it was about this time that the bird started to behave abnormally. But while the family has recovered and everyone is back to normal routine, the bird continues to decline. I wonder if something is related, but my friend disagrees. She is thinks it is an infection. She would love to take him to a vet, but all the vets in this city specialize in dogs and cats only. Please help!
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Post by Marianne Marlow on May 24, 2019 11:06:43 GMT
Can we see a photo of the bird and their cage? What's their diet like? Even a cat/dog vet may be able to treat the bird, it's better than no vet at all. Has she phoned them and asked?
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Post by Hezz on May 25, 2019 1:40:45 GMT
It is quite possible that the bird has picked up on the stress in the house, and some underlying bug has gotten hold while it has been compromised. Your friend can try adding some apple cider vinegar into the bird's water - anywhere between three drops and 10mls, into 100mls of water. Start off small and build up, to be sure that the bird is drinking. ACV can help keep natural gut/crop bacteria healthy and in the right proportions. They could also try buying a product called Guardian Angel online. It is made by The Birdcare Company in the UK and is very good for sick birds.
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May 24, 2019 10:46:16 GMT
humminghaven
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 4
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Post by humminghaven on May 25, 2019 15:30:40 GMT
This is a image of the bird in his cage from today, and another image of him a few months ago, happy. Baseline weight is 35 grams. Today (Saturday May 25) she weighed him at 29 grams. His normal diet is Korm (Russian: Корм) Versele-Laga Prestige for budgies, carrots, cottage cheese, chalk, edible greens, mandarins, apples, kiwi, boiled buckwheat, rice, lentils, sesame and fresh water daily. I'm not sure we have apple cider vinegar. Can we use just regular vinegar?
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Post by Hezz on May 26, 2019 0:17:29 GMT
That is a very bare cage. Is there a reason why there are no toys?? I am remembering that this is not your own bird, but that would be a very boring environment for a little budgie. I am sure you would be able to find apple cider vinegar. Regular vinegar is not the same, and if you can find apple cider vinegar that says it contains "the mother", all the better. Any store that sells organic foods, health foods etc will have ACV. It is a very commonly used health food. (Apparently it is often used in Borscht, so should be fairly easy to find ) I hesitate to say this but there is a disease that can sit latent in the birds without issue but reasserts itself in times of stress. It is very hard to cure, and most times is simply managed as well as possible. Keeping the bird(s) as stress-free as possible, adhering to normal routines etc can all help. I'm afraid I am of not much help to you.
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May 24, 2019 10:46:16 GMT
humminghaven
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 4
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Post by humminghaven on May 27, 2019 19:36:17 GMT
Thanks, everybody. I'm not sure if because of the interventions (or despite them) or because the bird got a lot of love the last few days, but my friend reports he is doing better. He is eating more, active and gained a gram. Not much, but at least it is the right direction.
Thank you SOOOO much!!!!
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Post by Hezz on May 27, 2019 19:40:35 GMT
Good news. I hope he continues to improve.
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