Can anyone assist poorly budgie Albert?

[grjones]

Hi all,

I have a budgie who is very tame, talks and is generally a little character.
For the past week he has been a little under the weather, he has been very quite, hasn't really talked, chirped or done anything. He has been sleeping a fair bit too.

We have obviously been monitoring him and we have noticed that he seems to have hurt his right leg. He finds it difficult to jump on our hand, perches and swing. We have had a look, no blood or signs of injury.

His poo is quite loose, green in colour without any white in it.

Eating and drinking ok, but very quite, puffed up and sleepy. He keeps putting his head in his back also.

He has been like it for a few days and tried to get him to the vet but obviously all closed over the Christmas holiday.

This is the first time he has ever been I'll in the 4 years we had him, do I guess I'm looking for some help in diagnosing the problem as well as anything we can do to help the little fella. Could the poorly leg be linked or could it be a health issue. We would be deviated if he died.

Thanks

[Marianne Marlow]

Would you be able to post a photo of your budgie please?

Also has Albert been eating greens or had any falls recently?

[grjones]

Thanks for the reply, I don't think he has had a fall, he hasn't had any foods other than budgie seed. Here is a photo just taken of him. He has just been a little sick and brought up a fluid type sick.

[Hezz]

I would be worried that Albert may be suffering some sort of liver disease. From what you have described with his poo being green. Does he eat fresh food - veges etc? If he is a mostly seed eater, he could be suffering from a fatty liver. In which case he needs a diet in more greens and grasses etc, rather than all seed. Or he may have a tumour, if his leg is affected. Often abdo tumours can pinch the nerve running down into their leg and that will seem as though he has hurt it. Sorry this post may be confronting for you - I have a budgie with all of the above, so am dealing with it every day. Hopefully Albert has none! Milk thistle is good for fatty livers, wheatgrass and dandelion too. Sorry I can't post longer, but I must go. Good luck with Albert. We do get to love them.

[grjones]

Thanks for the reply, he's been out tonight had a sit on my hand, drinking ok - just hope he picks up.

[Hezz]

Me too gr. Just looking at Albert's beak, it looks lovely and yellow, no dark marks as they can get with liver problems, so that's a good thing. I am by no means an expert, and I really hope Albert is only suffering from something easily treated. Has he been wormed recently? Mostly with an only budgie, worming isn't such a big issue, as they aren't in contact with other birds. Does he get any vitamin supplements? Just trying to think to anything to help over the xmas break before you are able to get him to a vet, which I would do as soon as you are able. Also is he overweight?

[grjones]

Albert survived the night which is good news. He is still very poorly, he is sitting with his head in his back and still has diareah. We are just making sure he is kept warm, fed and is taking water until we can get him to the vets!

[stace]

Dec 25, 2011 8:36:54 GMT grjones said:

Albert survived the night which is good news. He is still very poorly, he is sitting with his head in his back and still has diareah. We are just making sure he is kept warm, fed and is taking water until we can get him to the vets!

That's all you can do, until you get to the vet. Warmth (around 30C if poss), and only seed or millet and water. If you have a product called Guardian Angel, that's helpful to supply a strong energy boost when they are sick to get them through until you can see a vet.

[barrieshutt]

Heat and isolation are the first two things to do with any sick budgie, green poo can also be stress, not eating or just a result of his injury..................he does appear to be perching okay................the vomiting concerns me, remove the water and replace it with cold black tea with a touch of sugar in it, make sure he drinks at least twice a day..................if he struggles to perch then lower the perches to almost floor level..........order some guardian angel from the bird care company and follow the makers guidelines

[grjones]

Thanks guys, will keep you all updated. Merry Christmas!

[Hezz]

Hope things improve for Albert, gr.

[grjones]

We have been out for the night and was worried leaving him. He survived in the warmth and comfort of his cage! Fingers crossed He will make a recovery ?

[grjones]

Hi all, I am really pleased to say that Albert has seemed to have picked up a little. Yesterday when we went out my wife and I were both expecting him to be dead when we got home. Tonight he has had a little chirp, is eating well by himself and is drinking.

The leg is still a concern, he is finding it difficult to move around the cage. He still has loose bowls, although the colour is starting to get back to a recognisable stool. There are bits of white back in it, although still runny. There is a fair amount of feaces around his anus area. We have tried to clean it as best as possible, just it either hurts him or he simply don't like it. He has stopped being sick and looks a lot better, hardly putting his head in his back. he is actually as I type playing with his mirror and bell.

I pray he is on the mend and we are able to get him to a vet Wednesday for professional help. Praying it's nothing too serious... Thanks all for your comments, I know it could still be something serious, but to see him more healthier is so good to see.

Gary

[Hezz]

To clean up his vent, Gary is rather important, as it can become clogged and cause him real discomfort. Warm water and a cloth or cotton ball or whatever, (he won't like it but do it anyway) and a bit of vaseline or savlon around the area. If he is really feathery, trim the feathers so the poop has less to stick to. The vaseline or savlon help to preent the poo from sticking too.

Good luck with the vet and let us know what they say and how they are going to treat him. We all may learn something.

[grjones]

Thanks Hezz, we cleaned his vent today, it was really badly soiled with poo. As described used warm water. We have done our best as not to stress him too much. I've been to the vet today without Albert as they couldn't see him, he's booked in tomorrow so will let you know. They have given me some avipro to put in his water, this should sort out any gut issues.

At least he will see a vet tomorrow for a general health check and diagnosis.

Fingers crossed!