there is definitely something up with Woody

[birdguhl]

During the day yesterday I noticed that Woody was spending quite a bit of time on his own in Charlie's old cage, which is up on top of the shelves. I didn't think too much of it but in the evening he was also in there and asleep at a point when it is usually budgie party time here. I saw Charlie going in and trying to liven him up but he wasn't wanting to know. A bit later he came out for a very brief fly around and then I settled them all down.

This morning he seemed okay but half way through breakfast he went up to the playgym and seemed to be rearranging the contents of his crop. Then I saw a few whole seeds come out of his beak. I've never seen a budgie vomit before but I wouldn't have struck me as that - more like what it would look like if he just had seeds stuck to his beak.

He did come down again and eat a fair bit more, but then went straight back to the cage up top. He wasn't fluffed up but sort of 'hunkered down'. Droppings seem okay. Yesterday/day before there were some wetter ones on some newspaper, but as he eats a lot of veg I didn't think too much of it.

I decided that I would keep him in that cage on his own (the fact he let me get up there and shut the door might be a significant sign in itself) and put him through in the office with 3 sides of the cage covered and a heat lamp. I've put some GA in the water.

Up until yesterday he has seemed absolutely fine. It is almost exactly a year when he first starting going to the vet for the liver disease and infection episode.

[mizloco]

Hope woody is ok.

[budgiefriend]

Woody is much too cute to be sick. Hope he is felling better soon. Keep us posted.

[columbo]

My bird Columbo also has fatty liver issues. I always,like you keep a watchful eye on him. For him it usually starts off with a problem with his left leg,puffed up and inactive. I have noticed that he also finds moulting very energy zapping. Has woody started a moult? If he is eating and not puffed up I would say that is a good sign. Just keep an eye on him. Its horrible when they are not themselves especially when they have health problems. I hope woody gets better soon.

[birdguhl]

Thanks, guys.

I left Woody on his own in a cage in another room today. When I got back about an hour ago he had only eaten a tiny piece of millet. There are hardly any new droppings.

I decide to weigh him and a long chase and some very bitten hands later, I now know he is only 36g. He was 43g when discharged from the vets 8 months ago. It is funny because I wondered a couple of times if Charlie was putting on weight as he looks so much more chunky than Woody. I have never suspected that Woody has actually been losing weight.

Today he doesn't look fluffed up at all. He looks alert and his eyes are bright.

Until Friday he was his usual extremely lively self - the sequence in 'Charlie's bathtime musings' was taken about 5 days ago and shows him as he usually is - always on the move and very interactive with things.

I wasn't in most of yesterday but it was in the evening I noticed him sleeping more and being less interested with the others and toys.

I am going to try to get him to the vet tomorrow or Tuesday.

[lemonade]

Oh no, I hope he is maybe just having a few down days but yes, take him to the vet just to be safe. I will be thinking of you and the wee guy. Keep us updated on him

[starlingqueen]

Poor Woody. Fingers crossed he's OK.

[ffiscool]

Hope Woody is ok

[Hezz]

Fingers crossed for you and Woody, birdguhl. I really hope he is okay.

[OP]

Yes, I will also thinking of you and Woody.

[phoebe]

In Quebec we say "merde" for good luck although that is really not what it means. It's considered bad luck to say good luck. So I say "merde".

[skysmum]

Oh no, he seemed so good in the bath vid. I do hope he is ok keep us posted

[birdguhl]

Thanks v much, everyone. I appreciate all your good wishes.

If I were going purely on how he looks, I wouldn't be so worried. But the inactivity, low food intake and weight loss seem concerning. I let him hear the other birds earlier to see if he responded, and though he definitely listened he made no attempt to call back.

I have just been looking up info about thyroid dysfunction in budgies. I may be on completely the wrong track here but the weight loss and liveliness +++ somewhat resembles someone with an overactive thyroid. Also, I have noticed he eats very, very slowly. This has always been the case but has got more noticeable - one or two seeds then he hops away for maybe 10-20 secs, then back again for another one or two. He spends much longer overall on eating than the others. And this morning he seemed to be uncomfortable around the throat / crop and ejected a few seeds. So I am wondering about an enlarged thyroid. They have iodine blocks available of course.

Okay, time to call the googling a night... I'll call the vet first thing in the morning.

[tanja]

oh no, I really hope Woody is okay! But what you write does sound not really good Especially the weight loss, but no wonder, if he eats so slowly and only  1-2 seeds a time. I hope he will be okay in the morning and you can get him to the vet! I wish all the best, that Woody feels better very soon! 

[lousette]

Oh no Woody. Weight loss doesn't sound good. Hopefully vet can shed some light, hope he feels better soon and nothing serious!