Love sick or just sick??

[stevemac]

Hi,

I've got a problem with my 9 year old budgie, Mintie. Her partner, also 9 died recently and after a few days we got a replacement, 18 months old from a breeder.
The new boy, Eden (don't ask!) appears to be healthy with nothing wrong with him and he's settled in quickly and eating happily. However, Mintie has suddenly gotten fluffed up, slightly runny poo, no whistling and hardly eating and walking round the bottom of the cage.
Is she sick with something or is she pining? I can't get to a vet till Thursday and don't think the family would cope well with another loss.

[BudgiesBuddy]

Hi and welcome to forum

I am sorry for your loss. When did he die? Is Mintie appears sick even since his death?

[Bird Junky]

Jun 18, 2012 11:40:48 GMT stevemac said:

Hi,

I've got a problem with my 9 year old budgie, Mintie. Her partner, also 9 died recently and after a few days we got a replacement, 18 months old from a breeder.
The new boy, Eden (don't ask!) appears to be healthy with nothing wrong with him and he's settled in quickly and eating happily. However, Mintie has suddenly gotten fluffed up, slightly runny poo, no whistling and hardly eating and walking round the bottom of the cage.
Is she sick with something or is she pining? I can't get to a vet till Thursday and don't think the family would cope well with another loss.

Hello,
She's sick. A healthy hen would more than likely resent
a new comer into her space. She has been ill for some time. Birds
are very good at hiding symptoms of illness . I would separate
the birds & disinfect the cage, before your new bird gets ill.
Yours B.J.

[Hezz]

How long ago did your other bird die, and how long since you got a replacement? Did you quarantine the new bird?

A bird on the floor of the cage is not a good sign, get it to the vet asap.

[stevemac]

Thanks for all your responses.
I managed to find a vet who has prescribed a course of antibiotics which seem to be working already as she's no longer fluffed up, eating and the poo looks more regular (less runny) and making some noise.

to answer some of the points made -
Manu (short for Emmanuel, after the footballer emmanuel Petit and the bird was small) died just over a week ago and Eden was bought 4 days ago.
the cage is regularly cleaned and disinfected along with all food trays, water holders and perches;
the new bird was not quarantined (which I accept I should have done)
there was some resentment - food and perch squabbles - but these seem to be less although there is the odd moment!!!

Thanks again for the help and advice.

[Bird Junky]

Hi. The squabbles seem less you say, could that be because

she's to busy being ill? When she makes a full recovery she

could accept him or not. Hens are much more protective of

their personal space than cocks. Blood has been spilt on many

occasions. Yours B.J.

[sarah*glittergirl2212]

Was Manu ill like Mintie- did he have the symptoms she has now before he died? There is the possibility they both have the same illness so watch the new bird very very carefully as there may be a contagious disease he could catch from Mintie that has sadly already taken Manu from you. All the best to you, I hope you will soon have 2 happy healthy birds.

[stevemac]

Mintie still seems to be on the mend but is def not 100% yet. More noise, bit more movement but still not eating as much as before she was ill.
Perhaps the antibiotics are working (How do people get the little syringes into their beaks??)

I think Manu had a form of cancer, he went from being quite "robust" to quite thin and had a lump in a short space of time.

[Hezz]

Good luck with Mintie, Steve. Hoping the AB's are just what she needs to be back to full health.

Your question is a tough one to answer if your bird isn't naturally a biter. My hen is easy as she wants to bite the thing coming towards her. But if she is the other way inclined, I have just sort of prised their beak open. Not very helpful, I know, but sorry.

[stace]

steve, you need to hold them with your palm to their back, and your thumb and forefinger holding their head still firmly - this is really just either side of their beak. You can feel the bones of the head. You don't want to hold them tight lower down as this is where their airsacs/lungs are. By holding their head still you can quickly put the dropper/syringe into the side of their beak. Often their beak will open when you do this. If not, you open it with the dropper/syringe.

Get everything lined up and ready to go before you do it so it is all over and done with as quickly as possible and you're not messing around.