Posted November 3, 200618 yr hello all. I was wondering if someone out there could give me a little insight about lumps/ growths. I have a three year old hen who has developed a large lump near her vent and i have no idea why. i'm thinking it may be cancer but how can you tell? it can't be fat because she's in an avairy and gets lots of exercise. there aren't any avian vets in my area and the normal vets would only put her down. If anyone could please give me any info, i would be very thankful. P.s i have 9 other budgies and there all healthy so this isn't something infectious.
November 3, 200618 yr Is the mass hard or soft? It could be a fatty tumor or a cancerous one, more information would help. It could also indicate egg binding though you would notice other symptoms as well. What is her diet like? An all-seed diet can lead to fatty tumors but genetics can come into play as well. I'm sure that someone here can help you find your nearest avian vet, that's really what your budgie needs right now.
November 3, 200618 yr there are quite a few members here from AU I am sure when someone sees your post from that area they will let you know. I believe in the avian vet forum there is also a link to find an avian vet closest to you. For some that is an hour but it is worth it espeically for the life of your little one. Only an avian vet at this point can help you.
November 4, 200618 yr Etteri the mass is soft and her diet consists of a budgie seed mix, fresh grass seeds and fruits and vegetables, i also give them cuttlefish bone and iodine blocks, so i don't think its a diet thing because i've made sure to give my birds a good diet. I've bred this bird before and she has had four babies at two seperate times. at first i thought she may be egg bound but she wasn't in distress or anything and didn't show signs of being egg bound and i applied oil to the vent and kept her warm but she didn't lay and the lump just got bigger. I've tried using the find an avian vet links but i can't find any that are in western sydney near the St. Clair area. I know i sound like a really bad owner but i really do love my birds.
November 4, 200618 yr Yes, you must go to an avian vet and I am sure the people in the area you live will let you know the closet vet to you. I have a couple of budgies with benign lumps but I had my lovebird at the vet last week and there was a lady there whose budgie unfortunately had cancer, I saw the lump. Tissue sampling and expert advice is the only way to diagnose what is going on, keeping my fingers crossed for you and your girl.
November 4, 200618 yr The vetafarm website has a list of avian vets. So far the closest I could find to you is in Canley Heights. You might find one closer? All the best to you and your hen.
November 4, 200618 yr Emerald, whereabouts in Sydney are you, so we can tell you where to find your nearest avian Vet Cindy
November 4, 200618 yr Cindy, i think i live near you so which vet do you take your birds to? thanks everyone.
November 5, 200618 yr I'm sorry. I know how worrisome it is when something is wrong with your birds, especially a lump. If you could post a picture of your bird, it might help. All I can tell you right now is that lumps are fairly common, and not always cancerous. Fatty lumps will tend to cover an area (chest or vent) as opposed to a specific spot (wing, neck, etc) and usually do not cause a bird to act sick. If you can look at the skin over the lump sometimes that can help determine what kind it is. Fatty lumps will make the skin look yellowish underneath, lumps around internal organs that have grown large enough to show may not change the skin color. If it is small, hard, and moves, it could be a cyst instead of a tumor. A bird can have fatty tumors and still be exercising. A diet heavy on the seed can predispose a bird to that type of tumor, although some fatty tumors are the result of a medical problem and not the cause. Does the lump seem tender? Does it move around or is it stable? What color is the skin underneath? What other symptoms (if any) is the bird exhibiting? Does the bird pick at it, or seem to be bothered by it's presence? Like everyone else has suggested, for something of this nature an avian vet should be consulted. If you can't find an avian vet, a regular vet that sees birds with some frequency or who is willing to consult with an avian vet over the phone would be my second choice. You can also ask who they refer their avian patients to when you call to make the appointment. If you explain why you need a vet who has intimate knowledge of birds the receptionist will be better able to give you the information you need, or at least find out from the doctor and call you back. I wouldn't worry about a normal vet "putting her down" - they can't do that without your consent. Usually you have to sign consent forms for euthanasia. If that is the advice you are given and you don't agree then you can and should take your bird home. Keep us posted about what you find out. If you are wondering, I have three birds with lumps.
April 16, 200718 yr hello all. I was wondering if someone out there could give me a little insight about lumps/ growths. I have a three year old hen who has developed a large lump near her vent and i have no idea why. i'm thinking it may be cancer but how can you tell? it can't be fat because she's in an avairy and gets lots of exercise. there aren't any avian vets in my area and the normal vets would only put her down. If anyone could please give me any info, i would be very thankful. P.s i have 9 other budgies and there all healthy so this isn't something infectious. Hi there sounds like a tumor you can try a six week course of beetroot juice in your drinker and this may fix your problem. But you must boil a beetroot in water with no additives and then drain the liquid and use this , put the rest in the fridge to use later. GOOD LUCK.
April 16, 200718 yr A few members will probably remember Gloria. She was my budgie who developed a lump near her vent. I panicked and thought she was egg bound. I rushed her to the vet and actually found out she had a hernia. As unbelievable as it sounds. The vet said she was not in any pain she just had a big bum. There was nothing the vet could do and I was told she could live for 2 months or two years. Unfortunately she only lived for about 6months after that. So get your bird checked out so you know whats wrong and it can help you prepare for the worst if need be. Good luck and look forward to finding out what it is.
