Blueberry and Iodine Deficiency

[blueberry]

HI Everyone!

I am a brand new member and so happy to have found this forum. My five year old male budgie Blueberry started acting strange a week ago. He was doing an open mouth breathing with a clicking noise. I thought that it was heat stress, however the A/C and fan didn't seem to make a difference. I brought him to the vet yesterday and she said that he is healthy and alert. However, she thinks he might have a goiter. I make up my own bird seed from millet, oat groats, canary grass seed. I add in various spices and powders (carrot and beet) to the  two of the seed mixes. I also sprinkle Twin Beaks Aviary Herb salad for birds on top of the seeds mixture.  He eats healthy veggies and fruits, pasta and cooked organic eggs. He has a mineral block and cuttlebone in his cage. The vet said that seeds are lacking in nutrients and of course, was pushing pellets. The vet stated that if the breathing gets worse she wants to x-rays to rule out a goiter. 

My questions:

1. He is still traumatized from the wellness check and acting so unlike himself. I am waiting to bring him back to the vet.

2. I would like some information on some complete seed mix that the members found that might have more nutrients in it.

3. I can't find an iodine block anywhere online except the UK. I live in upstate NY.

4. Thank you for your responses!  

[yellowfacedviolet]

Welcome. I'm in NYC. You can get an iodine block on amazon from Canada, which is closer:

www.amazon.ca/Living-World-82161-Iodine-Block/dp/B00L72LKWM

You can also add Lugol's iodine solution to the drinking water and that is available at numerous sources including amazon (USA)

Can't help you with the seed question--I feed Harrisons plus veggies--but someone should be along soon to help you with that.

[blueberry]

Thanks so much for the information!

[Hezz]

The quickest way to determine (and rectify) a iodine deficiency is to add some iodine tincture into the bird's water. The iodine tincture should be 25mg/ml concentration, should be available at your local pharmacy/chemist ... just don't tell them it is for a bird ... add three (3) drops into 100mls drinking water each day. If iodine deficiency is the problem you should notice a difference in a week, if not, give it two weeks to be certain.

To confirm, this is advice given to me by a vet some time ago. The improvement is apparently quite dramatic, it just wasn't my budgie's problem. Once you have done the week or two dosage, if you can't get an iodine block or your Blueberry won't touch it, you can add a drop of iodine to his water on a regular basis. I do this once a week ( a drop into 200mls is enough for all the birds) but you might want to check that with your vet. I've not had a great deal of success with iodine blocks.

[samwiseg]

Was about to mention iodine tincture but Hezz has already obliged

Welcome to the forum btw blueberry