Hi there, I'm babysitting my son's class room budgie who is 8 months old and he has what looks like conjunctivitis in one of his eyes. The teacher said he's had it for a while! I've wormed, sprayed for mites and lice and have added a vitamin supplement to his water daily, he's healthy, not lethargic and is showing no other signs of ill health. Is it possible for him to have conjunctivitis or an eye infection? The eye is not swollen but he has some minor feather loss around the eye and some dried puss, I've been bathing it daily and it does look a little better but not completely healed. Should I take him to the vet? :hap: The poor little fella was completely distressed when we got him home and I'd say he's been given a hard time in the class room as after a few days of rest he was as good as new except for this problem with his eye. He's hand tamed and am worried he may spread his eye problem to my two baby budgies! Any help would be appreciated.

I am going to take a guess and say if the budgie is 8 months old he hasnt contracted anything contagious from another budgie and shouldnt be able to spread it to another budgie either. Some budgies get irritations from rubbing their head on perches and scratching their eye or around their eye. Some budgie have issues with a feather that grows into their eyeball area and irritates. If you can work out if it is feather related you can snip back the offending feather. If there is an irirtation from a scratch froma perch or some such, a generic eye ointment can help. We have one at home that is used both by our dog and the birds...each time was prescribed by the vet...once for a bird and once for a dog...same cream.BUT I have also had success with irritated eyes by bathing with a teabag...warm water and a teabag.One other thing to consider is...in the classroom they may have used some chemical cleaner or other irritant that has affected the budgie. In which case the issue may be ongoing. Cheers Kaz

 

 

I have another thing to add....I would suggest the class get goldfish and the budgie stays with you :hap:

Edited December 18, 200717 yr by KAZ

Thanks for that information Kaz. I do have a sinking feeling that as he has long claws he may have scratched himself some time ago. He was obviously covered in lice and mites as he was scratching himself like a madman all the way home! I sprayed him immediately then disinfected his cage and toys, even bought him new perches and feed dishes, then sprayed the cage with the mite and lice spray. However when you live in a class room full of seven year old's and their dirty little hands what hope has the poor little fella got! I'm taking your advice on board and I don't think I'll take him back! Possession is nine tenths of the law.......am I correct! (Laughing out loud) He's such a happy little fella, has been whistling to my two babies constantly which is so cute! I'll try the tea bag in the morning, thanks for that advice I feel better now. I've emailed my vet just incase, better to be safe than sorry!

I'll be using this forum a lot from now on, I've only recently, like last week, got my two new babies home and I haven't kept budgies for a long time! The advice here is wonderful!! :hap:

l agree with kaz, you should keep this little fellow

I am surprised they can have a budgie in the classroom I would think it would be so distracting with their singing and the noise they make during the day .

Poor Bluey, glad he is now a member of your household! Perhaps you should get him checked out by an avian vet so if it is an irritating feather it can be removed or if it is something else, a topical remedy can be prescribed. Looking forward to pictures!