Dec 12, 2012 15:39:29 GMT
ajc1309
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 3
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Post by ajc1309 on Dec 12, 2012 15:47:06 GMT
For the last few days my budgie has been quieter than usual, he's still chirping and talking a little but not as much. He's been staying at the back of his cage in the corner more often and sleeping. He's also lost more feathers than usual, mostly his larger feathers. I've also noticed that the bottom of his cere is brownish and a little crusty. Is he sick? It is cold in my house sometimes, I keep a blanket over the back of the cage and that's where he seems to like sitting most of the time now. He's about 4 years old. I've attached a picture of his cere, it's not very clear though. I'll try to get a better one soon. Attachments:
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Dec 12, 2012 17:18:53 GMT
Welcome to forum I can't see anything wrong in this picture. A budgie can behave like this either because of illness or because of stress. Provide us with some details so the members can be able to help you. But as a first step, keep him warm by providing him with heating which always helps under the weather budgies. What is the temperature in the house? Has his droppings changed color or became watery? Was there any diet change recently? Is there anything or any change which caused him stress?
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May 20, 2024 0:04:35 GMT
Deleted
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2012 17:38:26 GMT
hi i found this on the Internet ... i thought you should read it ... in the book The Challenge by Gerald Binks he states that cocks whose ceres change to brown are more often than not affected by testicular cancer ... i dont no if your budgie has it..... i just thought you should no that its a posability... . fingers x he hasnt .... .
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Dec 12, 2012 15:39:29 GMT
ajc1309
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 3
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Post by ajc1309 on Dec 12, 2012 19:40:59 GMT
oh, I really hope that's not it. his droppings seem normal to me, there's been no change in his diet and nothing stressful has happened to him.
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Post by Hezz on Dec 12, 2012 20:38:24 GMT
It could simply be that he is moulting, and with the cold weather not have the energy he normally does. Sometimes a heavy moult can knock them around a bit, in which case give your budgie either some dry eggfood either sprinkled over his seed, or moisten it up and feed to him as is. Or boil him up an egg (10mins min) and feed this to him in bits, concentrating on the yolk where all the goodness is, rather than the white. The reason for egg or eggfood is that replacing feathers, growing new ones can take up a lot of the bird's energy and protein is one of the best replacements you can give them.
This doesn't explain the colouring of his cere, which as Mick mentioned, can be caused by testicular cancer, but also hormonal imbalance, or even inactive thyroid. The easiest of these to treat is the hypothyroidism, simply by adding a few drop of iodine tincture to his water every day for a week or two.
But firstly let's get him through his moulting with a little egg in his diet. Then give the iodine a go, otherwise you may need to visit a vet, not that they will be able to do much to help you.
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Dec 12, 2012 15:39:29 GMT
ajc1309
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 3
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Post by ajc1309 on Dec 18, 2012 13:11:11 GMT
Thank you, sorry for the late reply. Could you tell me where to get the iodine tincture? I don't want to go looking myself and buy the wrong thing.
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Post by Hezz on Dec 19, 2012 0:24:19 GMT
I got mine from a pharmacy. The concentration required is 25mg/ml. Don't worry if it mentions treating wounds with it, that's fine.
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Oct 27, 2011 8:10:57 GMT
maz
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 71
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Post by maz on Jan 5, 2013 9:40:01 GMT
I didn't want to start a whole new thread, so hope no one minds if I hijack this one, since the topic is the same....I've taken Benny to the Vet's twice in the last 5 weeks (second time was this last Thursday) because his droppings were completely watery and sometimes he was regurgitating and flicking his head around (rather than doing it for Frankie's benefit). The vet is not an avian specialist, and said as much, but said Benny looked healthier than most budgies he sees (he was eating OK and being fairly active) but since the second visit, where again the vet could not see anything obvious, he has been sitting fluffed up and with his eyes closed for much of the day and Frankie has been clearly puzzled by this and trying to attract his attention. The vet thought it was more likely to be hormonal rather than digestive, but had me keep them on just Trill and fresh veggies, which I've done. Anyone here got any suggestions? The only thing the vet is doing now is phoning an avian specialist for ideas, which I guess might turn something up, but I'm a bit concerned if Benny starts to deteriorate quickly.....you will recall the pair of them are about 16 months old. Thanks for any suggestions, folks!
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Oct 27, 2011 8:10:57 GMT
maz
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 71
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Post by maz on Jan 5, 2013 14:58:26 GMT
Well, the above post will forever be a mystery, as Benny died quite suddenly this afternoon. He had been sitting quietly with eyes half closed most of the day and I had been hoping nothing worse was going to happen when he fell off his perch, and though he clambered back up, it was clear he was having difficulty, which had not been the case at all before. I suspected a stroke or something as it happened for a second time and my husband gently lifted him out of the cage to try to examine him and he could hardly move and certainly couldn't grip anything with his feet any more, so couldn't be put back on the perch. We tried to replace him on the floor of the cage but he even tipped over to one side there, so we just held him and stroked him until he stopped breathing. I wonder what the vet will say when he phones on Monday?
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Post by budgiefriend on Jan 5, 2013 16:34:44 GMT
Rest in Peace, dear sweet Benny. He left us much too soon. Keep his cute face and happy song close to your heart, and he will be with you forever. So sorry for your loss.
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Oct 27, 2011 8:10:57 GMT
maz
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 71
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Post by maz on Jan 5, 2013 19:13:03 GMT
Thank you, budgiefriend.
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Jan 5, 2013 19:13:52 GMT
I am sorry for your loss. Rest in Peace Benny.
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Post by Hezz on Jan 6, 2013 1:22:48 GMT
Sorry no one was able to help poor Benny, Maz. For now concentrate on Frankie. Make sure the cage, pots, toys etc are cleaned out properly. If the vet comes back with any possibilities, or treatment, take it and treat Frankie, hopefully he/she won't have the same problem as Benny.
RIP Benny.
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Oct 27, 2011 8:10:57 GMT
maz
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 71
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Post by maz on Jan 6, 2013 13:42:45 GMT
Thanks for that Hezz - I'm also wondering whether it would be best to leave Frankie on her own now, or get her a new companion? Never having had two birds before, I don't know what's best....
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Post by Hezz on Jan 7, 2013 0:34:44 GMT
I would keep an eye on her and see how she is doing. If she seems to have lost all enthusiasm for life and pining then it would probably be best to get her a friend after a little while. But rushing into getting another may not be for the best either - sometimes they can resent the newcomer. Although even if you do get another, there is the month's quarantine time for Frankie to know there is another bird in the house, but not get to meet ........ this could make her more enthusiastic to meet a new friend when the month is up.
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