Bobby not looking too well.

[bonairebondy]

You may remember that a few months ago I posted about our long lived budgie Bobby & our quest for finding his favourite honey sticks.

Over the last few days he has started making little pipping noises frequently & seems to be breathing heavier than usual. He is still eating but not as much as usual & he seems to be sleeping more.

We have not yet taken him to a vet as he really hates to be handled & I think that at 18+ years old, it may finish him off. 

Any advice anyone?

Thanks  

[jellybean]

Could you post a video of him making the noise.

[ffiscool]

yes, others on here might recognise the sound.

[Marianne Marlow]

I've moved your post to the health section.

I agree, it would be useful to hear the noise he's making.

[bonairebondy]

I hope this comes out okay. As you can see, he's eating.
The little pipping noise is new and seems odd ( for him)


photos.app.goo.gl/XKCXRvLgxiiqDXby6

[skysmum]

This is very odd because my Bailey did what i called the Honking sound occasionally but only when he was eating, is Bobby's only when he eats?

Vet couldn't find a reason for it but he did have a fatty liver in the last 2 years, can you see any swellings on his chest or around his crop?

[bonairebondy]

Nov 24, 2021 19:31:50 GMT skysmum said:

This is very odd because my Bailey did what i called the Honking sound occasionally but only when he was eating, is Bobby's only when he eats?

Vet couldn't find a reason for it but he did have a fatty liver in the last 2 years, can you see any swellings on his chest or around his crop?

He does it at any time, he has no obvious swellings or changes to his feathers.
He is preening normally.

[starrymist]

Is it generally when he’s in a particular position eg bent over for his seed stick?
My Brodie started making that sound when he was leaning over into his seed pot & also when he was leaning forward to do his tummy feathers. He then starting making a constant ticking/ clicking sounds. Both those sounds were signs of heart failure unfortunately.
And the squeaking was the 1st indication of it.

I so hope that this isn’t what Bobby has but 18 is an amazing age & I suppose it’s not unlikely sadly. I absolutely understand your hesitation about taking him to the vet. There is no treatment for budgie heart failure other than avoiding stress as much as possible. This meant that after it was diagnosed I didn’t want Brodie to return to the vet unless I felt he was suffering (which I didn’t apart from a weekend where he was vomiting but he came out of that). I really felt that the stress of a vet visit would finish him off. I was able to make sure his final months were as comfortable as possible, he got even more TLC, love & treats. And his passing was a peaceful affair rather than 1 of terror.

I’m thinking of you & Bobby. My 1st budgie was a green Bobby & “Bobbys” are always extra special budgies I think!

[Hezz]

Some helpful suggestions there from skysmum and starrymist. Another thing that can cause a squeak is iodine deficiency. Does he use his iodine block? I see what looks to be one in the video. If he doesn’t, you can add just a drop of iodine tincture to his water for a few days and see whether this makes any difference. If it is going to work, you should notice the difference within a week. If it is an iodine deficiency, he may have had this for quite some time being such an older bird, and it is possible that it can’t be turned around, but certainly worth a try.

[Ira]

Pippin makes this noise too, but only when he eats or has had to fly around for an extended amount of time. I don't know why he does it either.

I hope Bobby's okay.

[Marianne Marlow]

Blueboy made this noise when he preened or leaned forward to eat. He had an iodine deficiency.

[bonairebondy]

Thanks everyone.
He has an iodine block which he uses, he's still eating and drinking okay.
There doesn't seem to be any specific circumstances when he makes the noise.
I guess that at his age we have to expect the worst at some point. He doesn't appear to be in pain or distress so we will keep an eye on him.
I'll keep you posted

[starrymist]

Hopefully you have a good while together yet, he sounds a lovely companion. It’s interesting other birds have had it with various problems.
Another sign of Brodie’s heart problems was his wings began to droop (just on 1 side initially then both) & his breathing was heavier, just in case that’s of help to you. He was fine in himself, doing & enjoying everything he’d always done, including eating, (he loved his food!), playing & preening but at a slower, quieter pace. He was also quieter but content & enjoying his life.
There’s a thread on here somewhere, “Budgie heart failure” which has a video of him on it.

[criswell]

I hope you have lots more time with Bobby. He's amazing.

[bonairebondy]

Hi everyone. Our power has been out for 4 days so I've not been online.
Bobby is making his pipping noise more often, especially when eating and preening. He also doesn't seem as agile around his cage and is reluctant to go from one side to the other..
We have taken some things out of the cage to give him better access but the signs aren't good..