Dec 27, 2019 20:02:39 GMT
diabin
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 20
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Post by diabin on Jan 9, 2020 19:41:22 GMT
I don't know what happened, but Mellow has started bleeding from his head. I'm incredibly scared for him right now. His mood seems normal, but his pupils contract sometimes. Also his claws are a bit bloody as well. Please, does anyone know what might have happened? I've tried taking a closer look at his head but he keeps struggling. UPDATE: some time has passed and by now his pupils are normal and he still behaves normally. He's been drinking a lot of water though.
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Post by jellybean on Jan 9, 2020 21:20:27 GMT
Could he have maybe damaged a pin feather and made it bleed?
Is he mounting?
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Dec 27, 2019 20:02:39 GMT
diabin
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 20
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Post by diabin on Jan 9, 2020 22:12:23 GMT
Could he have maybe damaged a pin feather and made it bleed? Is he mounting? Thank you for your reply! Yes, by now I figured it's probably that. Both of my budgies keep scratching themselves. It just scared me a lot because it seemed like a lot of blood, but it stopped very quickly. I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow just in case. Do you know if it's alright to clean his bloody feathers?
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Post by jellybean on Jan 9, 2020 22:28:30 GMT
What I would do is tie up a large bunch of very wet basil leaves in the cage, which will allow him to bathe, and will probably give his sore pinnies some welcome relief.
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Post by Hezz on Jan 10, 2020 1:16:58 GMT
Glad that that has been sorted. Better not to try to clean him up too early as you may disturb the clot and start the bleeding again. The vet may need to pull the broken feather.
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Post by Rachael Kellett on Jan 11, 2020 9:04:28 GMT
Burst blood feather. Its when a budgie is moulting so the new pins of the feather are growing and they either catch one or it bursts. Nothing to worry about but can be very scary seeing all that blood. The best thing you can do, if its still bleeding when you find them, is to dab the area with a little cornflower. This helps the blood to clot and stop bleeding
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Post by Rachael Kellett on Jan 11, 2020 9:06:03 GMT
Oh and baths can help when your budgie is moulting. If they won't bathe then the hanging up of wet leafy veg for them to rub on (as suggested above) is a good idea. Just make sure that the veg you use is budgie safe, oh and not lettuce as it's very watery and can make their poop really watery
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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: 28,755
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Jan 11, 2020 13:48:05 GMT
How was the vet visit?
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Dec 27, 2019 20:02:39 GMT
diabin
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 20
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Post by diabin on Jan 12, 2020 14:34:55 GMT
Hello, sorry for the late reply! The vet visit was good and she also said that he most likely damaged a pin feather. Other than that, Mellow is doing fine. I also asked her about cleaning his feathers but her reply was that it might do more harm than good. It's better to just let him bathe. Mellow's behaviour is the same as usual, but I'm still waiting for him to clean himself because he currently doesn't want to at all. The red spot on his head keeps scaring me every time I pass by the cage... I keep wondering if he just doesn't know how to get to it? Thanks to all of you for your advice, it honestly helped a lot. Have a nice weekend!
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Post by jellybean on Jan 12, 2020 14:52:36 GMT
Glad the vet put your mind at rest.
I'd certainty hang up some wet basil leaves, he will enjoy rubbing himself through them, and help to soothe his sore pinnies.
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Dec 27, 2019 20:02:39 GMT
diabin
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 20
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Post by diabin on Jan 12, 2020 15:54:52 GMT
Glad the vet put your mind at rest. I'd certainty hang up some wet basil leaves, he will enjoy rubbing himself through them, and help to soothe his sore pinnies. Yes, it's on my shopping list for tomorrow! Thank you
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Post by Hezz on Jan 13, 2020 0:31:51 GMT
Besides a bath, however it might happen, he is not going to be able to clean that spot himself. That's why they will often allow a head scratch when they are itchy with pin feathers. Without a feathered friend to preen their head for them, they have to rely on us.
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Dec 27, 2019 20:02:39 GMT
diabin
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 20
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Post by diabin on Jan 13, 2020 7:34:36 GMT
Besides a bath, however it might happen, he is not going to be able to clean that spot himself. That's why they will often allow a head scratch when they are itchy with pin feathers. Without a feathered friend to preen their head for them, they have to rely on us. He does let me scratch his head but for some reason, he currently won't let Charlie (that's our second budgie) do it. Normally they do help each other but I guess this time it didn't work out...?
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Dec 27, 2019 20:02:39 GMT
diabin
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 20
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Post by diabin on Jan 13, 2020 16:20:12 GMT
Well, I bought some basil today and both budgies...are actively avoiding it. Mellow does seem to be a bit curious though. I ate some in front of him already but he hasn't tried it yet
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Post by Hezz on Jan 13, 2020 19:26:11 GMT
It doesn't have to be basil (my birds aren't that fond of it), it can be anything that is safe for the birds to chew on - any budgie-safe tree sprigs, especially of the eucalypt family (gum trees) - even their seeding grasses can be wet down for them.
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