Hi, my budgie has lost weight recently, nearly three weeks ago i took her to a vet who cut her beak for her and said apart from being underweight (probably due to her beak) she seems fine. She chirps a lot during the day but she also keeps her head down most of the time, i let her out of her cage on a daily basis and she flies round the room, when she site on top of her cage she rests her head on the bars by her feet. she hasnt put any weight back on but she is eating regularly (i feed her Trill), i do put fresh veggies in her cage but she will not touch them or millet. Do you think she may be lonely, do i need to get another budgie. She is disinterested with her toys and mirror, she has never been interested in them.

 

Also when i let her out for "play time" when she has a fly and lands she sounds a bit wheeze but only for a few seconds. im a littly bit wary of taking her to the vet again as she hasnt made her better and seemed disinterested as she is a budgie and not a dog or a cat (very annoying) but i have made an appointment but she cant get in until Friday.

 

Any help would be much appreciated. I dont want to purchase another budgie if this one is sick. but if it is lonliness i will get one tomorrow.

 

Thank you

im a littly bit wary of taking her to the vet again as she hasnt made her better and seemed disinterested as she is a budgie and not a dog or a cat

 

Hi Beks, you need to find an avian vet. They are vets that have specialised in birds. Most 'normal' vets do not have the specialised knowledge that you need to treat birds correctly.

 

It is a good thing that she can still fly, so she is not too weak, but she must be well underweight for you to be worried about her. Keep a close eye on her as budgies can go downhill very fast. If she starts to get very sleepy, depressed looking, looks all fluffed up, tail pumps when she is breathing or sits at the bottom of the cage, get her to an avian vet as soon as possible. They are all signs that she is unwell.

 

 

Feathers.

Can you feel her keel bone ( the bone down the front of her chest ) ? Has she got a poopy bottom ? All these and other signs Feathers has told you about are reasons for concern. A normal vet isnt always as experienced with birds as they need to be. I dont know why in all conscience they accept your money for the visits when they arent properly trained to give educated advice. :hap:

If concerned over ANY of the symptoms we have mentioned urgent treatment is required with a bird vet. As little feathered ones like these can go very fast once they lose bodyweight. Keep us informed.

Edited April 24, 200718 yr by Kaz

I agree with feathers and I wouldn't take your bird back to the vet. Birds loose weight for a reason (if it was the beak) then she should have regained it. There could be an internal issue that can only be diagnosed by simple test such as a gram stain, fecal test, there could be a need for an x-ray or blood work but that is determined by your avian vet.

 

If you need to find an avian vet here is information from our FAQ section:

Click here to search for an avian vet in the area. Some avian vets are not always listed so if you find an avian vet by you but not close you can call them and ask if they know of anyone closer to your area. This link can be used for all countries.

 

It is important that you find an avian vet before your bird (s) become sick. When birds become sick they go downhill very quickly and if you don't have an avian vet that you know of you will go into panic mode. Be prepared! It may save your birds life.

 

USA/Canada:

http://aav.org/vet-lookup/

http://www.birdsnways.com/articles/abvpvets.htm

http://www.lafeber.com/FindALocal/Vet/default.aspx

 

Australia:

http://www.vetafarm.com.au/avian_vets.asp

 

UK/Other:

http://www.theparrotsocietyuk.org/avian-vets.shtml

http://www.parrotpassionsuk.com/Advice/Uk_Avian_Vets.htm

 

 

Last update: 2007-04-21 15:08

Author: Elly/feathers

 

 

Here is a good article from our FAQ section about why birds need avian vets and signs of being sick.

http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/faqs/i...=134&artlang=en

 

I hope this helps and keep us updated.

I cant feel her keel bone and she hasnt got a poopy bottom. everytime i look in her cage she has more feathers so i think she may still be malting, i have had a look for an avian vet but cant locate one within 50 miles of where i live. she has become aggressive also. when i go to put my finger in she bites me. She never sits at the bottom of her cage, its just she has always got her head right down and to me she looks unwell.

It may be well worth the drive if she is not feeling well.

The aggressiveness could be because she is molting and hormonal. Pretty went through a very bad moult and I thought he looked bad because of the moult here I found out he was actually sick during this time. I lost him 5 wks ago to not noticing the subtle symptoms such as weight loss and looking horrible during a molt. In the end it is your choice but I would personally make the drive or call the avian vet and ask if there is a vet that he can recommend that does have bird knowledge.

Edited April 24, 200718 yr by Elly

A checkup would put everybody's mind at ease (yours the most), I drive hundreds of miles/kms for my guys and in my rescue work, it's what you do, you forget your dinners, clubbing out, (booze and cigarettes if applicable for a bit), and whatever luxueries you are accostomed to, in the end, it is worth it! And you will be happy for it, best of luck with your guy.

Thanks to everyone that replied, i got up this morning and let her out for a fly and she seemed a lot better but i am still going to take her to the vets. A check up would put my mind at ease. im also going to get another budge and a seperate cage and keep them apart for 30 days. I was reading a few old posts were people say they cant afford to take their sick budgie to the vets. i cant understand how anyone could let any creature suffer if they are sick, its just wrong. My budgie has had me worried sick and i am doing everything i can to help her get better. thanks again guys for the advice while i am waiting for the appointment, its much appreciated.

Good on you, Beck Hope for good things for you and your feathered angel :angel1:

You might be lucky and call a local vet and ask if they have an avian specialist - I was lucky that way that the very vets that I had chosen for my cat & dogs also has an avian vet - I didn't know this when I first started going there. I simply phoned and asked - he isn't on that list either so I might mention it to him next time I need to see him

i cant understand how anyone could let any creature suffer if they are sick, its just wron

 

If only more pet owners shared that opinion, the world of our precious pets would be so much better.

 

 

Feathers.