Milly's feather problems

[Rachael Kellett]

A quick recap for those who don't know anything about Milly.

Quite a long time ago I noticed that one of my house budgies, Milly, had a swollen vent. I straight away thought egg bum! But two days later nothing had happened and I was really worried so took her straight to my vets. They took her in to try and help her lay the "egg" It turned out that it wasn't an egg after all but a tumour. The vet wasn't really able to give me much more information than that though (he isn't avian qualified but has a fair amount of experience)

Now my little Milly is still healthy and strong over a year later Her tumour has gotten larger but seems to have stopped growing now, it means she can't fly very well, well she can fly but doesn't seem to be able to gain height. Anywho my question about her isn't really about the tumour but I think its linked health wise. Milly has been looking very scruffy for the past few weeks, its not normal moulting, she is all tufty looking. Here is a recent photo:



Is there anything I can give her to help her with her feathers? Maybe replace the nutrients that I think the tumour is taking away? It has to be something that I can safely give to the other four that share her cage with her because I am not willing to separate her from them, they have already lost one of their flock recently and I don't want to cause anymore stress for them.

[Gaile]

I know that show people spray their budgies ready for the shows...this helps them look great!

[Hezz]

Not sure I can be any help, Rachael, but Moogie's friend suggested to her spraying Elfie with a dilute ACV solution. You may remember his feathers became all fluffy and not sleek, for want of a better description. Poor Millie. How much do I hate tumours??

I hope someone is able to offer better advice than mine.

[Rachael Kellett]

Sorry, I really thought I had replied to this thread. I do have ACV somewhere, I will have to dig it out. How much should I dilute it, do you think? I have been encouraging them to have a bath every week but they didn't seem interested until today. I think losing Lola has really gotten to them, hell it still feels odd for me that she isn't here with them.

I set up a bath for them today and JayJay dived up but the others weren't as keen so I gave them a good mist with a spray bottle. I have some very soggy budgies now haha! But it does seem to have done Milly some good

[Hezz]

Moogie, what was the dilution rate your friend advised? Do you know, or are you able to find out? For drinking it is around 4 drops per 100 ml ....... you could always start off with this until you get an accurate answer.

[Moogie]

im not sure Hezz as she keeps larger birds-so as of yet i have not sprayed Elf...i will ask he again and see what she says

[sarah*glittergirl2212]

Sorry if I'm being dumb but is ACV short for Apple Cider vinegar?

[Moogie]

Mar 29, 2013 16:05:55 GMT sarah*glittergirl2212 said:

Sorry if I'm being dumb but is ACV short for Apple Cider vinegar?

yes

[nat]

My friend who had terminal cancer followed an alkalising diet. Apparently acidic foods and sugars feed tumours. Alkaline and safe foods are veg and of course ACV which has an alkalising effect on the body :-) Most high carb foods such as the seeds and eggfood we feed budgies are thought to be acidifying foods.
Also you could try giving diluted organic green tea in the drinking water for the antioxidents as well as brocolli and carrot.
I have a hen with exactly the same problem. I thought it to be an egg bum at first as well but it has grown to a ridiculous size :-( Her tumour must have been going on for a year at least now.