Hi,

My youngest bird, Pip, has been showing signs of illness recently. The feathers immediately above his cere have stained a light brown colour over the course of the last 7 days, his vent is dirty (excess feces stuck to the surrounding feathers) and he is generally puffy. I have read that these symptoms could indicate a respiritory infection. He is still active and eating, and hasn't lost weight. Our vet cannot see him until Monday and I am wondering if anyone can give advice regarding his condition.

 

Thanks

Brown mark above the cere also is a sympton of psitticosis if I am not mistaken, or it could be a vitamin defiency, or respitory infection.

 

Since you cannot get to the vet, I would isolate him in a warm cage with heat. Give him chamomile tea (it helps with the respitory infection, if that is what he has) make sure he is eating. And book an appointment for the vet asap.

Brown can be a number of things it can indicate a respiratory infection (we can't diagnosis your bird) which can be very common in budgies and takes them down very quickly, waiting till Monday to get your bird into an avian vet is way too late that is a full week away.

 

Your bird needs to be kept very warm at least 75F in a smaller cage, it is essential that your bird is eating if he stops that is NOT good, drinking is important the eating is more important.

 

So is your bird still eating?

What do the dropping look like now? If they are white and watery with no black that means your bird is not eating.

Pip is looking somewhat better today. He appears less 'fluffed up'. His droppings are a consistent black and white colour, and he is still eating well. I have moved him to a smaller cage away from my other bird.

 

I've added a second towel on his cage to keep him warmer and have moved him to a warmer room in the house. Is there a more efficient way of raising the temperature of his cage?

 

Thanks

Put an office lamp next to his cage with a 40W light globe if you dont have a heat lamp.

In our FAQ under Health Section is an explanation on how to make a hospital cage just be careful that you don't over heat the bird. Keep us update.

Please keep us updated.

Visited the vet yesterday. After examination, the vet concluded that Pip has a mild case of Bronchitis. The vet then took a swab sample and tested for any abnormal bacteria, of which there was none.

 

The vet prescribed a general anitbiotic for a course of 10 days. She offered an oraly administered medication and one that would be added to the water. I took the oral form.

 

Thanks for your help

Visited the vet yesterday. After examination, the vet concluded that Pip has a mild case of Bronchitis. The vet then took a swab sample and tested for any abnormal bacteria, of which there was none.

 

The vet prescribed a general anitbiotic for a course of 10 days. She offered an oraly administered medication and one that would be added to the water. I took the oral form.

 

Thanks for your help

im very glad to hear your friends condition was not worse

thanks for the out come update

good choice on the oral form because birds don't drink a lot of water, keep us updated.

Yea, I much prefer the oral form - quickest and most direct way to ensure he gets the medication.

 

Pip has been looking much better over the last couple of days. The staining above his cere is becoming almost invisible and he no longer puffs himself up regularly.

 

Thanks

wonderful news