Parakeet Diarrhea

[kylekatarn]

My 11-month-old budgie seems to be having some digestion issues (whether purely digestion or an indication of something else, I'll leave at the judgment of more experienced bird-owners). I could flood this post with details, but I've learned that long threads are unnecessarily crowded with facts - and rarely answered. So:
It's a male budgerigar; only bird in the house; tame (friendly, imitates speech, likes company - constant company); fairly calm;
In a time period I can't exactly determine, it's been having unhealthy stool accompanied by frequent goings - irregular shape; large (or none) solid matter; in a puddle of wet, clear not-quite-water substance; it goes at irregular intervals, usually from 2 to 5 minutes. While shape and frequency vary, the unhealthy look remains a constant - extremely wet, frequently nothing but fluid, and healthy colors (when the substance is not totally clear, that is).
So far it doesn't seem to affect its vivaciousness, as it doesn't show loss of playfulness and/or appetite. One thing I've noticed is occasional anxiety (as in being jumpy) and refusal to sleep (sings of swings in the cage even with the lights off) - though that's a pre-existing matter imo.
I believe that's enough info for a beginning post - again, I don't want to flood this thread with facts, though I will provide further detail if necessary.
Any help (other than 'you should see a vet') will be appreciated, thanks in advance

[Hezz]

Descriptions are subjective. How about posting up some clear, focused photos of the bird and the poops. Then we will know exactly what we are dealing with.


QuoteAny help (other than 'you should see a vet') will be appreciatedun-quote This sentence has me concerned though. Why would you not consult a vet to sort out these problems? They are the ones with the expertise and can see the budgie and the problems first hand.

[kylekatarn]

There's plenty of reasons I can't see a vet, none of which is a money issue.
My place of residence is not in a country where avian-vets specialize in pet-birds - especially not exotic birds. I have already tried to no avail.
I have tried my best to describe what I see. I will upload some pictures as soon as I can - most likely tomorrow - it's three in the morning at the moment.

[Hezz]

Where are you??

[kylekatarn]

I hope these are okay, if not tell me and I'll take more.




These were taken today, after 5-6 hours of changing sheets;

Additional info, if needed:

My parakeet doesn't seem to be feeling sick. As I said, there is no loss of appetite and/or playfulness. Other than occasional yawn-like gestures there's nothing out of the ordinary.
Although its frequent refusal to sleep is starting to worry me.

It's on a diet of millet, spray millet, oat, sunflower seeds and has a mineral block consisted of shells and lime; The cage is always clean; Room temperature is an average of 30 Celsius (86 Fahrenheit)

[starlingqueen]

There are no pictures showing up. You have to upload them to a photo hosting site and paste the code here.

[kylekatarn]

postimg.org/image/tctccby7p/

postimg.org/image/mjwxo79lt/

postimg.org/image/a3kzy3pyr/

[ffiscool]

They are not healthy looking at all. Well, I don't think so. I cannot comment on the food, as to be honest, I am not sure what is in the seed I give mine. Are you in a hot country?

[kylekatarn]

No, I don't live in a hot country. We have hot summers (30-40 Celsius, which is 86-104 Fahrenheit) and relatively cold winters (5 to -10 Celsius 41 to 14 Fahrenheit). But we always have high room temperature. Why?
Come on, help me out here. Hezz, I uploaded the pictures you needed, can you tell what's wrong?

[starlingqueen]

We can't tell what's wrong from photos. Only a vet can say for certain. It could be worms, enteritis, fungal infection or many other causes.
If you tell us where you are another member here may be able to tell you where there is a vet near to you.

[Hezz]

I repeat, where in the world are you?

The photos are still quite blurry, and there are plenty of things to produce wet poops, as starlingqueen has said. Has the bird been wormed at all? Are you able to get any form of organic apple cider vinegar? Have you changed the seed? Does it eat any fresh food - vegetables or fruit? Are you able to provide the bird with a more varied seed diet, as this is quite limited?

[kylekatarn]

I live in Macedonia. We don't suffer from a lack of vets, but there is a deficit of interest to treat small pet-birds as they are very cheap and considered lesser pets. No vet offers specialized treatment for budgies.
I will take clearer photos if that could help to even remotely determine the cause.
What do you mean by wormed?
Yes, I was considering apple cider vinegar treatment, though I am unsure about the dosage.
It's main source of energy is a combination of regular millet, spray millet and oat flakes. Sunflower seeds and oranges are treats. I can't understand the concept of including wet food in the main diet, as it's prone to rotting and would likely do more harm than good. Do I put these in separate dishes?
I could probably find pellets, though if I remember correctly, during the period I fed it with a combination of seeds, it would only pick out the millet, leaving everything else untouched.
Also, it doesn't seem to chomp on its mineral block - which is odd, considering it is the only source of minerals. I have also noticed a decrease in appetite, and though it's playful as always, it sometimes behaves strangely: shutting its eyes and pointing its head upwards while leaning slightly backward - as if it's going to faint. It also goes through a lot of water on a daily basis (drinks a lot and pees a lot).
I'm getting concerned about the welfare of my bird. Please reply on the acv treatment as soon as possible,
thanks

[Hezz]

Feb 19, 2014 22:55:15 GMT kylekatarn said:

I live in Macedonia. We don't suffer from a lack of vets, but there is a deficit of interest to treat small pet-birds as they are very cheap and considered lesser pets. No vet offers specialized treatment for budgies.
I will take clearer photos if that could help to even remotely determine the cause.
What do you mean by wormed?
Yes, I was considering apple cider vinegar treatment, though I am unsure about the dosage.
It's main source of energy is a combination of regular millet, spray millet and oat flakes. Sunflower seeds and oranges are treats. I can't understand the concept of including wet food in the main diet, as it's prone to rotting and would likely do more harm than good. Do I put these in separate dishes?
I could probably find pellets, though if I remember correctly, during the period I fed it with a combination of seeds, it would only pick out the millet, leaving everything else untouched.
Also, it doesn't seem to chomp on its mineral block - which is odd, considering it is the only source of minerals. I have also noticed a decrease in appetite, and though it's playful as always, it sometimes behaves strangely: shutting its eyes and pointing its head upwards while leaning slightly backward - as if it's going to faint. It also goes through a lot of water on a daily basis (drinks a lot and pees a lot).
I'm getting concerned about the welfare of my bird. Please reply on the acv treatment as soon as possible,
thanks

Just as you should regularly worm your other pets, cat or dog, birds need worming as well. In your case I suggest you go on-line and try to find an on-line site that will ship to you. If you are able to source some ivermecin 0.1% - the concentration is important - this can be used for both internal and external parasites, otherwise look for any form of bird worming product. Most are added to the birds' water.

ACV - it is 5ml per litre of water ..... works out to around 3 drops per 100mls. This concentration can be increased if the bird has digestive or crop flora imbalance.

A seed-only diet is very limited in the micro-nutrients it supplies the bird, and your bird is only getting a limited range of seed varieties. Fresh vegetables and fruit can be offered in many ways; up to you to find the way your own bird responds best. Offer them in a pot, hang off the side of the cage; anything. And don't cook them! Cooking ruins most of the nutrients. A multivitamin on a regular basis would be a good thing too. It needs much more in the way of a varied diet. The vegetables, offered separate to the seed, should be removed after a number of hours so the bird can't feed on contaminated food.