Lump/Bump/Cyst Under Eye?? - Advice Please!

[keyycrab]

Hello everyone, I hope you are doing well! 

I noticed about a week ago that my budgie had a lump underneath her right eye. For the past few days, it hasn't gotten any bigger, but initially at first it grew pretty quickly. There were a lot of theories I read online like tumors, bacterial infections, feather cysts, etc. but I haven't really been able to diagnose it.

For some background information, we clean the cage quite regularly and we feed them bell peppers, carrots, lettuce, and of course seeds daily (the vegetables are changed every morning). I also have two other budgies and the three of them are very close and never fight. They used to fly together every day at noon and I even have a small fountain that they bathe themselves in whenever they want. I am unsure of her age, as her and her companion were surrendered and the previous owners left absolutely no information on them.

Since finding the bump, I have not separated her from her friends because I know that they'll have separation anxiety Unfortunately I am a very broke university student and I'm not sure how feasible it is for me financially to visit a vet. But if it is very dire, I will.

If anyone could try to diagnose/give me suggestions on what to do, I'd very much appreciate it! Thank you so much, and I'm sorry for the awful pictures in advance.

[Deleted]

So sorry that your budgie is unwell! Thanks for the pics as it really supports your post. What that says to me - fluffed up and neck draw in - is that she is losing body heat and having trouble eating. The lump under her eye seems to be a secondary presentation. The first thing I do when I see this is put the bird in a temperature controlled warm environment to stop further deterioration. Not everyone has a hospital cage but lots can be done with what you may have on hand. A small covered cage with a small incandescent lamp on one side and thermometers placed both ends works well for a start. Next is hydration. Lots of birds lose the ability to get well because of dehydration. Giving her liquids from a dropper as often as you can will really help. Some may say that it stresses them being handled but if you calm yourself first and focus on her well-being it seems to send the message. Birds are amazingly perceptive as to who wants to help them. What has worked for me best is freshly squeezed green apple juice. When its one of my tropical parakeets that's off-colour it's easy as they will freely eat that but budgies being the arid parakeets have to be fed the juice. I hope these small tips will help you as they have me many a time.

[Marianne Marlow]

Your budgie looks pretty unwell and needs an avian vet.

In the meantime, keep her warm, put her food and water close so that she doesn't have to travel far to get to it.

[ladybird]

I agree your budgie looks really unwell, please try and get her to a vets as soon as you can. Can anyone help you with the cost?

[Hezz]

I agree that she doesn’t look well and really needs professional intervention. We would only be guessing to try to help diagnose what her problem(s) might be. If it was just the lump you were dealing with I’d say wait and see, but she really is presenting as a sick bird. If you have a heat lamp, or even a lamp with incandescent bulb - one that gets hot to touch - then position this at one end of her cage so that she can move in or out of the heat as she needs. Do not have it touching the cage at all.

Is she still eating and drinking normally, and what do her poops look like??

[Marianne Marlow]

keyycrab Please update when possible.