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Post by rachelandelvis on Jan 1, 2023 17:11:46 GMT
Hi all My male budgie is now 2.5 years old and over the past couple of months his cere has changed from bright blue to brown. He is still his usual talkative, active self but am concerned it might be testicular cancer. Although, when I read about this happening to budgies on the internet, it often involves an older budgie, so I am wondering (praying!) that it might be something else instead. Any thoughts? I am still trying to locate a vet that is qualified or will even take a look at a bird. The closest to me seems to be a 150mile round car trip - the fright of my driving will probably kill him.   |
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Post by jellybean on Jan 1, 2023 17:35:49 GMT
Where in the world do you live?
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Post by rachelandelvis on Jan 1, 2023 17:36:40 GMT
Where in the world do you live? Colchester, UK. |
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Post by jellybean on Jan 1, 2023 17:39:18 GMT
Some forum members may be able to help with a good Avian vet near to where you live.
Forum is a bit quiet at the minute due to the holidays, but hope someone can help.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Jan 1, 2023 18:27:55 GMT
Curious! Is it possible you misjudged and he is really she? Do you have any photos from when he was a baby that clearly show his cere? Is he your only budgie or does he have some friends? More knowledgeable members will be along to help you.
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Post by rachelandelvis on Jan 1, 2023 19:17:06 GMT
Curious! Is it possible you misjudged and he is really she? Do you have any photos from when he was a baby that clearly show his cere? Is he your only budgie or does he have some friends? More knowledgeable members will be along to help you. Hi there, Elvis is definitely a 'he' - the first photo in my original post was him when he was younger - with lovely blue cere. I pray to god that there is another reason for this other than cancer - he is only 2.5years old - most cases I've read on the internet involve budgies that are getting on in their lives.... |
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator 
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,782 
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Jan 1, 2023 19:58:37 GMT
Definitely looks like a boy in the first photo.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,782
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Jan 1, 2023 20:01:21 GMT
I don't know of any avian vets near Colchester unfortunately.
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Post by Hezz on Jan 2, 2023 1:02:35 GMT
Does he have access to and use an iodine block, do you add iodine to his water on a regular basis? It may not be testicular cancer as hypothyroidism can also cause a male budgie’s cere to turn brown.
I suggest you get yourself some iodine tincture, 25mg/ml concentration and add three drops of this into 100mls of water as his drinking water for a week. If it is an iodine deficiency you should begin to see changes in that time.
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Post by rachelandelvis on Jan 2, 2023 10:42:45 GMT
Does he have access to and use an iodine block, do you add iodine to his water on a regular basis? It may not be testicular cancer as hypothyroidism can also cause a male budgie’s cere to turn brown. I suggest you get yourself some iodine tincture, 25mg/ml concentration and add three drops of this into 100mls of water as his drinking water for a week. If it is an iodine deficiency you should begin to see changes in that time. He does have an iodine block, yes. Will it matter if I put iodine drops in his water and it is not an iodine deficiency? I.e. can he get overdosed and as a result have more health woes? Sorry, this is my first budgie so I'm feeling my way here, hence the daft question! |
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Post by jellybean on Jan 2, 2023 10:59:13 GMT
Does he use the iodine block? I don't think the dose Hezz has recommended will do him any harm over the week. |
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Post by rachelandelvis on Jan 2, 2023 11:12:33 GMT
Does he use the iodine block? I don't think the dose Hezz has recommended will do him any harm over the week. He does use the block, yes. So much so in fact that I ended up getting him two - one for his cage and another for his tree perch at the other end of the room. If it works, what will I expect to see? The brown turning back to blue or the brown bit peeling off like a layer of skin or? |
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Post by Hezz on Jan 3, 2023 1:39:41 GMT
The dosage of liquid iodine added to the water is not going to cause any harm over a week, you could continue for a few days over if you start to notice some changes, but it is not something you would want him to be drinking that amount of for the rest of his life. I’m actually not sure how it resolves, if it is going to. I would imagine that the brown crust would peel off, just as a hen’s does when she comes out of breeding condition. Unfortunately I have not seen a reversal, but it was the first thing suggested to myself when this happened with my first budgie. Hopefully you will have better luck.
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