Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,803
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Mar 24, 2022 15:17:29 GMT
loz, I agree with criswell. Get Patch to an avian vet. Budgies picking on other budgies is classic behaviour if one of the flock is sick.
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Post by Loz on Mar 24, 2022 15:51:31 GMT
Thanks, criswell and Marianne Marlow . I will try to locate a specialist avian vet as my usual exotics vet won't be able to assist, I feel certain.
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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: 28,803
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Mar 24, 2022 15:53:06 GMT
I do hope they can help Patch. Budgies do hide illnesses very well. Thanks, criswell and Marianne Marlow . I will try to locate a specialist avian vet as my usual exotics vet won't be able to assist, I feel certain.
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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: 28,803
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Mar 24, 2022 16:04:34 GMT
Do you think you could make some of this for Patch?
"Home-made Lactated Ringers electrolyte solution for sick birds (rehydration)
• 8oz warm water • ½ tablespoon sugar • 1/8 teaspoon salt • 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
Mix all together in a jar, stir well and refrigerate. Will keep for 2-3 days in fridge.
Replace drinking water with this electrolyte solution. You may need to keep dripping it into his beak if he won't drink on his own."
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Post by criswell on Mar 24, 2022 16:41:38 GMT
There is an avian vet list in the budgie health section which might help you find an avian vet in your area.
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Post by Loz on Mar 24, 2022 16:54:32 GMT
Thanks Marianne Marlow . I've had a little experience getting fluids into a budgie, it's not fun. I imagine caging Patch and giving him his own supply of water is the best option. That will cause major upsets though. Would it be best to use the cage away from the flock, or in the same room? criswell, my nearest avian is 70 miles away but is not taking on customers. I have someone ringing me after 5.30pm for a chat. They are experienced with "exotics", let's see how she does with budgies.
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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: 28,803
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Mar 24, 2022 17:01:11 GMT
If he is ill then technically he should be away from the others. But If it causes major stress and upset and you think him being able to hear and see the others would aid in his recovery then I'd keep him in the same room. It depends on what is ailing him. If it's a kidney or liver condition then it's not contagious. If it's respiratory infection then it is. Yes, if he is drinking something different to the others then he'll need his own water. Let us know how the phone call goes. Fingers and wings crossed it's useful. Thanks Marianne Marlow . I've had a little experience getting fluids into a budgie, it's not fun. I imagine caging Patch and giving him his own supply of water is the best option. That will cause major upsets though. Would it be best to use the cage away from the flock, or in the same room? criswell, my nearest avian is 70 miles away but is not taking on customers. I have someone ringing me after 5.30pm for a chat. They are experienced with "exotics", let's see how she does with budgies.
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Post by criswell on Mar 24, 2022 17:41:27 GMT
If it is something contagious the others will have already been exposed. That's what my vet always says anyway when I've asked if I should isolate. He just says to separate if the others were picking on the poorly one. So there is probably no need to move Patch to a different room. Hope the phone call went well.
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Post by Loz on Mar 24, 2022 17:43:15 GMT
My instincts, such as they are, hint that this is a behavioural issue.
Patch can be active. He does feed very well. I've seen him preen. He flies willingly. It seems to me that he is simply not allowed to indulge in normal behaviours and that he is exhausted. He has a full-blown adult with boundless stamina on his case for hour after hour and when he is free of this attention, he is as likely to sleep as he is do anything else.
I am torn as I realise illness/disease may be playing a part here. I may have to bite the bullet and introduce strict separation times where Eeyore is caged for a few hours and Patch another few hours.
The ridiculous aspect in all this is Patch will often seek out Eeyore's company - particularly if I have sent Eeyore packing for being too much of a nuisance.
Two things - Patch's weight is relatively static and he doesn't sing. To my knowledge, aside from contact calling when he was in quarantine, he never sang.
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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: 28,803
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Mar 24, 2022 18:06:27 GMT
It's very unusual for a male budgie not to sing. Even my girls sing. That, to me would point to illness. Blueboy did not sing and he turned out to have a goiter from iodine deficiency (yes he had access to an iodine block, but that is not enough to stop them getting this).
Custard did not sing for a full month at one point, but he was ill for years with a liver condition and possible other issues that we never got to the bottom of.
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Post by Loz on Mar 24, 2022 18:13:17 GMT
It's very unusual for a male budgie not to sing. Even my girls sing. That, to me would point to illness. Blueboy did not sing and he turned out to have a goiter from iodine deficiency (yes he had access to an iodine block, but that is not enough to stop them getting this). Custard did not sing for a full month at one point, but he was ill for years with a liver condition and possible other issues that we never got to the bottom of. These sound like possibilities, I regret to say. The more I think about it the more a "hidden" illness seems a likely issue. No call yet from the vet I tried earlier. Squeak does not sing, she just squeaks for the most part but I fancy I've heard one or two other vocalizations from her. Nothing you'd call singing though!
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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: 28,803
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Mar 24, 2022 18:15:41 GMT
I did mention before that Patch looked fluffed up in some photos, but you would of course know your bird better than I would. I don't see him on a daily basis other than in the occasional photo.
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Post by Loz on Mar 24, 2022 18:18:58 GMT
I just watched Patch oust Mr Hibs from the swing in their aviary. The swing was swinging wildly - Hibs seems to enjoy that - yet Patch was able to not only hop onto it, he sent Hibs packing at the same time.
I get very confusing signals where Patch is concerned. Is he actually docile and ill?
Wow. He's just warned off Squeak from his swing. *No one* warns off Squeak, unless she is Chocobo!
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Post by Loz on Mar 24, 2022 18:27:19 GMT
Just heard from the vet.
A trial separation for the weekend is recommended, to see what happens.
I'll set up the hospital cage in the lounge. I think that will work better than allocating one of the aviaries to Patch.
Depending on what happens next, I will then have to book time with the vet from further investigations.
The vet felt, like me, that a depression issue might be in play.
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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: 28,803
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Mar 24, 2022 18:32:12 GMT
I'd also keep an eye on his weight and droppings. Perhaps put some vitamins or guardian angel in his water.
When he leans over to eat, does he ever make a sort of squeak sound?
Don't forget that ill budgies also appear depressed at times too.
Has the vet seen photos or a video of Patch?
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