Featherless ring around budgie's right eye

[blackcanopus]

Hi

My budgie seems to be sick. There's a featherless region, similar to a ring around its right eye. 3 days ago it was a very small ring, and I thought perhaps it's because he is molting. But the ring kept growing and became very distinct today. Both eyes seem to be very itchy. He's a little nervous. Otherwise, he seems to be alert and eats well. He's not puffed up. He's 1 year old and alone. Because of the Coronavirus, the vets are not open. I'd be really grateful if you could help me.

His name is Damon. According to Greek legend, Damon and Pythias were friends. When Pythias was sentenced to death, he was allowed to temporarily go free on the condition that Damon takes his place in prison. Pythias returns in the nick of time and the emperor, impressed by their friendship, pardons them. I named him Damon because I leave him at home when I go to work and he waits for my return.


Photos:


imgur.com/3s20SqC


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imgur.com/LfnYipS


imgur.com/t8WAGNr


imgur.com/Yd2joZ5


imgur.com/xcbZDGm

[Hezz]

The eye itself doesn't look to be infected, but if you could bath it in some tepid saline solution, or use a cool damp teabag as a compress - any tea that doesn't have additives, so normal black tea, chamomile can be soothing. Rubbing his eye due to it feeling itchy will be the cause of the feather loss around the eye, and the rubbing could easily lead to the eye becoming infected. It is possible that he has a sinus infection which will need a (often prolonged) course of antibiotics.

Are you able to contact your vet by phone or email? Perhaps send some photos to help show the problem? If the eye does become infected you can use a human topical ointment such as Golden Eye ointment.

[blackcanopus]

Apr 5, 2020 0:20:03 GMT Hezz said:

The eye itself doesn't look to be infected, but if you could bath it in some tepid saline solution, or use a cool damp teabag as a compress - any tea that doesn't have additives, so normal black tea, chamomile can be soothing. Rubbing his eye due to it feeling itchy will be the cause of the feather loss around the eye, and the rubbing could easily lead to the eye becoming infected. It is possible that he has a sinus infection which will need a (often prolonged) course of antibiotics.

Are you able to contact your vet by phone or email? Perhaps send some photos to help show the problem? If the eye does become infected you can use a human topical ointment such as Golden Eye ointment.

Hello

Thanks for your response. Do you think this feather loss is abnormal? Or is it a part of the molting process? I will try the bathing solution. But now that you mentioned a sinus infection, he sneezes all the time. Perhaps it is a sinus infection. Sadly I cannot contact the vet, the only way is to call her office which is closed. But if it is a sinus infection, visiting a vet is a necessity.

[Hezz]

The feather loss is going to be, in my opinion, due to the eye being itchy and the bird rubbing on the perches. Nothing to do with moulting. It is imperative that you keep the whole cage confines cleaned every day, especially without the help of veterinary intervention. Have you tried other vet surgeries? Even ones outside your area may be able to offer some assistance.

Besides bathing the eye, you can try giving the bird a sauna in a hot over-steamed bathroom with a hot water shower running. A few eucalyptus oil drops in the shower can help open up the airways as well, but please do try to find a vet who will assist you.

[blackcanopus]

Apr 5, 2020 10:44:46 GMT Hezz said:

The feather loss is going to be, in my opinion, due to the eye being itchy and the bird rubbing on the perches. Nothing to do with moulting. It is imperative that you keep the whole cage confines cleaned every day, especially without the help of veterinary intervention. Have you tried other vet surgeries? Even ones outside your area may be able to offer some assistance.

Besides bathing the eye, you can try giving the bird a sauna in a hot over-steamed bathroom with a hot water shower running. A few eucalyptus oil drops in the shower can help open up the airways as well, but please do try to find a vet who will assist you.

I did not have natural tea, but I had a natural spray made for birds that I did not use because he hates it. It was unpleasant (he felt scared and miserable) but I gave him a good spray and he became thoroughly wet. He is fine now. It seems the eye is not itchy anymore, and the ring is about to disappear. I think you were right, that the featherless ring was due to rubbing.

Thanks for your help.   @};-