Can anyone help us with our budgie Finn?

[John & Gillian]

Hi all, happy new year!

We have two budgies, Finn and Zephyr, and lately Finn seems to be feeling unwell, but we don't know what to do.

Sometimes he seems absolutely fine, has no signs of sickness, then at other times he is vomiting, has watery droppings, is quite puffed up and constantly tries to sleep. Zephyr is a younger, active wee thing compared to Finn who is slightly older, so in comparison they are like chalk and cheese in general! But lately Finn has become even less active/vocal than he would have been before Christmas.

He is eating and drinking as normal and doesn't seem to have any other trouble, so we're baffled at what is up with him. Because of Christmas/New Year opening hours we haven't been able to get him to a vet, but we've been adding drops of Johnson's Cage Bird tonic to their drinking water. Not sure if that's made a difference though.

Can anyone shed light on this for us? Could it be a tummy bug or a bacterial infection? Or could he be a bit stressed because Zephyr is so hyper!

Thanks a million,
John & Gillian

Extra info: We recently bought those Trill "Topper" seed cakes for our birds, they both went crazy for them (I think we put the 'herbs' and 'nuts' cakes in); Zephyr hasn't shown any signs of sickness...could it be that Finn has a sensitive tummy? They both get greens, apples and millet in their diet as well as normal budgie seed mix, but has never caused bother before.

[Ryan.W]

The greenery can certainly cause watery droppings but that's usually only until they get used with it and if it's not caused problems before it can't be that, but unless it went bad it shouldn't make him literally sick. I would take him to a vet, when they open again even if it's not a avian specialist, they should can give you baytril or the like, this will kill of any stomach bugs he might have, and they can give you a explanation. I think it's important to get him to a vet soon though . If you want something to try until you can get him to a vet, you could try Gaurdian Angel - www.northernparrots.com/guardian-angel-comprehensive-ill-bird-supplement-2-sizes-prod6294a/ this is a pro and pre-biotic(it basically contains bacteria that helps the bird and also promotes conditions to encourage good bacteria) and also contains vitamins, the good bacteria crowd out (supposedly) the illness causing/bad bacteria in the gut and encourage conditions better suited to helpful bacteria. The vitamins help to fight of any infections. (it's got more and higher levels of vitamins than the johnsons tonic and can go in food or in the water). these all help the body to overcome illness the natural way.

Best of luck sorry my post was so long

[John & Gillian]

Ryan.C, thanks a million for the reply, very informed. We're going to try to get him to a vet tomorrow, hopefully they can prescribe Baytril for us. Will keep you posted! Thanks again.

[Ryan.W]

Jan 2, 2012 21:14:31 GMT John & Gillian said:

Ryan.C, thanks a million for the reply, very informed. We're going to try to get him to a vet tomorrow, hopefully they can prescribe Baytril for us. Will keep you posted! Thanks again.

Great stuff , let us know how you get on. It's usually baytril that's given by normal vets, it's just a general thing that's quite broad in what it kills. Avian vets can sometimes get into more depth and supply something better suited .

[Hezz]

I would get him to a vet as soon as. They should do some follow-up tests to check his poop and crop and then will be able to advise you on what he needs. It is a bit hard trying to help when so many of their problems can show with the same symptoms. Good luck with the little fella.

[stace]

He does sound sick, and an avian vet is required. The advice Ryan has given you is good for the interim period before getting him seen to by an expert.

[barrieshutt]

I would ask for a crop swab , if it is megabacteria , now called AGY and antibitics will feed and not cure the disease

[Marianne Marlow]

What will an avian vet prescribe for AGY Barrie?

[Ryan.W]

Jan 3, 2012 6:03:58 GMT barrieshutt said:

I would ask for a crop swab , if it is megabacteria , now called AGY and antibitics will feed and not cure the disease

i was thinking he could maybe use some F10 barrie at the rate of a 1ml to a litre. This would kill AGY and anything else. What do you think?? (i didn't want to put it in my first post incase i was wrong) . it would be Alot cheaper than a vet .

[Marianne Marlow]

Jan 3, 2012 8:53:10 GMT Ryan.W said:

Jan 3, 2012 6:03:58 GMT barrieshutt said:

I would ask for a crop swab , if it is megabacteria , now called AGY and antibitics will feed and not cure the disease

i was thinking he could maybe use some F10 barrie at the rate of a 1ml to a litre. This would kill AGY and anything else. What do you think?? (i didn't want to put it in my first post incase i was wrong) . it would be Alot cheaper than a vet .

Best to take the bird to a vet so that they can work out what is is first though Ryan.

[Ryan.W]

Jan 3, 2012 8:54:02 GMT Marianne Marlow said:

Jan 3, 2012 8:53:10 GMT Ryan.W said:

i was thinking he could maybe use some F10 barrie at the rate of a 1ml to a litre. This would kill AGY and anything else. What do you think?? (i didn't want to put it in my first post incase i was wrong) . it would be Alot cheaper than a vet .

Best to take the bird to a vet so that they can work out what is is first though Ryan.

true just thought it might save a little money, i know the vets here can be a little expensive .