Wheezing, neck stretching, sneezing

[JennyB]

Merry doesn't seem well again. His symptoms so far are not every day or every night. Last night he wheezed a bit whilst he was snoozing. He stretched his neck and looked like he was yawning 4 times in a row last week and then again tonight. He also made a slight squeaking when he was eating earlier on. 

I don't think he's been quite himself since the clock change. Certainly this last week their appetites have halved. Instead of eating 4 teaspoons between them it's been 2 1/2 at most. Will this level out again? I don't have any scales to check their weight. They will still peck at carrot and cucumber. Merry has also suddenly started moulting again. 

A couple of months ago he'd been wheezing on and off at night but the symptom that prompted the avian vet to give him baytril was the tail bobbing (and he listened to his chest). So far no tail bobbing. 

I've given them apple cider vinegar in their water once last week and again this week. 1ml in 100ml. Is that the right dose and can I give it to them more often?

I was going to give them boiled egg tmrw but should I leave that for now and just give guardian angel for the time being? 

Sorry this is a bit of a muddled post but it's the best I can do at the moment. Brian fog is a symptom of ME and I'm having a tough week. I just hate to think Merry might not be well again.

Advice gratefully received. Thanks in advance.   

[Hezz]

So sorry you and Merry are having a tough time of it, Jenny.

I am wondering where you got your ACV measurement from? Unless you are trying to clean out a contaminated crop, this is a large amount of ACV just as a precaution. You can give it more regularly, but the amount I use is 3-4 drops per 100mls. You can give them this every day. If the ml into every 100ml was from the vet last time, then by all means use it. Most birds will do the yawn and neck stretching at times and it can be worrying when they do it a few times in a row. Usually they are simply resettling the crop, I imagine a bit like having a pain in the stomach, but we can't do anything about ours.

I am loath for anyone to over-use the likes of Guardian Angel or antibiotics. They usually are less effective then when the time comes that you really do need them, but by all means give them egg, particularly if Merry is moulting again. Do you have a light for them? With your longer darker days they may be feeling rather glum. Also if you have started central heating, remember to have water reservoirs around the room to add humidity. I hope it is nothing with Merry and you can at least lay that worry to bed. For yourself, do you have any help? I do hope you have a better time of it soon.

[milliej]

Hezz has answered a query I stated on another thread, my two are not nearly as active and I was wondering if it's the weather as it's dark and grey up here (too much) just now! Or/and their ages! I think they've been affected by the clock change too, do wish we'd stop that now I mean it was for the war 70 years ago....tut!
I do hope Merry recovers and doesn't give you any more cause for concern they are such delightful little companions aren't they.....and thinking of you too JennyB with your ME. My thoughts and prayers for you.

[starrymist]

Sorry to hear this JennyB. The vet said last week the clock changes have a massive effect in budgies. I'd definitely get a lamp for your 2, I'll find details for you if you want more info, even just having it on when you're resting in bed will make a difference (I understand the light sensitivity issue in ME too well - & the brain fog- & I can't cope with it for long but I'm figuring anytime is better than no time. It's on when I'm in bed & I'm building up time around it). Also a boiled egg would go down well. It's the only thing Brodie's been eating himself without encouragement & it's helped with his weight loss. I've never used guardian angel or anything similar, I'm wondering if I should?
Hope you're having a better day. It's been quite a week here too, & not in a good way. X

[JennyB]

Hi thank you for you replies and best wishes.

I've got a vets appointment for them tomorrow at 16:30. Merry has been sneezing more and head bobbing and shaking his head until seeds scatter out. I wasn't happy with the symptoms building up and knowing they need help to get well again. I'll let you know how I get on.

I worked out the APV dose from a post on here. I did write it down wrong though. I've given them 1ml in 200ml of water. The dose suggested on the bottle is 20ml for 1000ml (from Barrie Shutt website). I'll lower it to a few drops per 100ml next time thanks Hezz. I have a bowl of water under their table to help balance the central heating.

I don't have a light for them yet but I'm thinking it would be a good idea. If you could let me know the one you got starrymist that would be great.

I do have help for myself thank you. My mum comes over to make my lunch and stays until she makes my dinner then my husband is home in the evening around 8. Mum is every bit as attached to M&P as we are. She threatens them constantly telling them they look edible! She had budgies when she was younger and has happy memories of them. I'm feeling a little better now my period has finished. It usually puts me in bed for a day or two but I got downstairs each day this time which is progress.

I'll post again tmrw evening with an update.

[budgiefriend]

Good luck to you, Merry and Pippin. I will be thinking of you tomorrow. The vet will have the solution. Keep us posted.

[Hezz]

Let us know how you get on, Jenny. Vet visit today; fingers crossed for you.

[starrymist]

JennyB, the light bulb we got, on the advice of the vet is a full spectrum daylight UV bulb, it's designed for reptiles (bought in Pets at Home), a repti glo 2.0 compact bulb. We just got a basic lamp from B & Q to put it in. It also stimulates plant growth so I've been putting the large millet plant (which now has tiny seed heads on it!) & a fresh batch of millet seeds growing by it. Here's a pic (I normally have it pointing away from me when I'm by it, it's just so bright):