Dec 10, 2011 9:25:25 GMT
avalon
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 37
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Post by avalon on Oct 30, 2013 23:10:25 GMT
Can anyone help
This month I have lost 3 aviary budgies and a finch. The last one yesterday. I noticed that on Saturday evening he looked fluffed up and although he flew away from me he did not fly as well as he should, he was also scratching a lot around his bum. I brought him indoors and he seemed fine, lively, eating and drinking, still scratched occasionally. However yesterday morning he was fine but suddenly passed away mid day. I have requested a post mortem and the vet advised that his liver was very enlarged, the largest he had seen, samples have been sent off for checking, so awaiting results.
A couple of the other budgies I noticed have enlarged backsides and one while I was in the aviary passed some creamy coloured wet poo.
Any ideas please, as I am worried that I might lose these as well
Also can anyone advise if I have been really unlucky as this year I have lost 9 of them, despite bringing them inside the house when noticing them being not right and taking them to the vet. Am feeling as though I should give up with the aviary
Thanks
Chris
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Post by Hezz on Oct 31, 2013 1:26:18 GMT
Hi Chris. If it were me, I would be taking a sample group of my birds to the vet for a full complement of tests. We can suggest what we think it may be, but honestly they would be educated guesses at best. Maybe even think of setting yourself up another area where you can get some tested and then separate them from the rest. I don't know how many birds you have ...... whether this is a feasible idea, but that is the way I would be heading if they were mine. I know this is all money, but nine birds in a year is not good.
Even if you pick out a couple of your best birds to be tested ....... *shrug*
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Post by Hezz on Oct 31, 2013 1:29:03 GMT
Are they on an all-seed diet, or plenty of veggies and other fresh food as well?
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Dec 10, 2011 9:25:25 GMT
avalon
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 37
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Post by avalon on Oct 31, 2013 14:15:27 GMT
Thanks for your reply, at beginning of year had 18, three appear to be Exhibition budgies (one rescued on Epsom Downs) the others are smaller and some of them have been hatched in aviary, (possibility of in breeding) as the last lot purchased were 5 from the same breeder) They are fed on Trill, also eat foreign finch food and Canary Mix, cuttlefish and mineral block provided. Also I have been given then vitamin powder as prescribed by a vet. Also in the aviry are 4 bengalese Finches 1 Zebra Finc, 2 Canaries and 2 Small Quail
Chris
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Post by Hezz on Nov 1, 2013 9:04:30 GMT
Chris, sorry that I am not able to provide any specific answers, but I would suggest that you get your birds onto a variety of veggies and a bit of fruit. An all-seed diet is not very good for them and one of the specific things it isn't good for is keeping weight down and keeping the liver healthy - fatty liver disease is a very real concern and a killer in our budgie population. I am surprised your vet didn't make more of this when they did the autopsy. I will stress that, just like people, budgies needn't be overweight to suffer from fatty liver disease .......
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Dec 10, 2011 9:25:25 GMT
avalon
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 37
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Post by avalon on Nov 1, 2013 14:17:32 GMT
Thanks for the information will give them veggies and fruit, am now researching web
Chris
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Post by Hezz on Nov 2, 2013 1:38:05 GMT
Have a look through here; it's not a comprehensive list, but aimed more towards the fresh foods that most of us have had success with. budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/509/fresh-foods-offer-budgieI must stress that I don't know that the diet is at the root of all your problems, but certainly it is something that is fairly easily corrected, and hopefully give your birds more of a fighting chance. Keep us updated on the results when you get them, please.
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Post by stace on Nov 2, 2013 1:55:34 GMT
What did the vet tests reveal, Chris? I wonder if the last 5 birds you brought in brought something with them. barrieshutt hasn't been around for a while, as he's busy with a sick grandchild. He's the best to ask. Have you ruled out something simple, like worms?
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Dec 10, 2011 9:25:25 GMT
avalon
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 37
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Post by avalon on Nov 2, 2013 15:59:33 GMT
Will keep you informed
The last 5 Budgies were bought in October 2009 I quaratined them all including the rescued ones for at least 2 weeks
Am still awaiting results from Vet
Have 2 budgies in cage in house have been given them Guardan Angel in water and on food. Also have one finch bought August 2008 inside as well, as was having difficulty flying and was sitting on floor of flight. Am medicating with Baytril as done this before when two Zebras were looking under the weather
Chris
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Dec 10, 2011 9:25:25 GMT
avalon
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 37
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Post by avalon on Nov 5, 2013 22:16:29 GMT
Had post mortem results back from vet yesterday.
The budgie was suffering from lymphoma, liver cancerous, however vet advised this was not contagious.
Also the the analysis from the post mortem revealed a very small amount of roundworm. Vet has prescribed Panacur which to be put in their water for a week.
Chris
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Post by birdguhl on Nov 5, 2013 22:51:33 GMT
Oh dear, sounds like that budgie had been very unwell. Sorry to hear that. Good, though, that you've also had some feedback which points directly to treatment for your other birds. You've had a pretty bad time with them. Fingers crossed from here on in.
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Post by Hezz on Nov 6, 2013 1:07:58 GMT
That doesn't really give you much to work with on getting the rest of the flock back to full health. Unfortunately budgies are susceptible to cancerous tumours; the worms were probably simply opportunistic, making a presence while the poor bird's health was already compromised. But improving their diet is a way forward for starters.
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Dec 10, 2011 9:25:25 GMT
avalon
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 37
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Post by avalon on Nov 6, 2013 23:01:42 GMT
Thanks
Have decided to stop the smaller ones from breeding will let the rescued ones breed (exhibition budgies), but so far last two years the pair do not seem to be inclined to do anything about it
They seem to like the grated carrot and some sprouted seeds, not keen on the grapes though.
Chris
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