My female has had a crusty cere for some time now. No eggs. Thats alright though. I'm not worried about that. But about a couple of times after we got her she started getting really messy on her face. Her cheeks turned a little yellow, her feathers were undone, and she just looked really messy and sad. This went on for a couple of days. I asked my dad if he knew what to do and he said to just give her some sunlight. I did and then slowly but surely she got a lot better. This happened another time too. I did the same thing and she got better again. So then I just decided to keep her cage by the window. They always get plenty of sunlight. And I haven't seen her be messy in a long time. But now shes messy again but it looks a little worse because the yellow is around her eyes. And she makes this "chich" noise where its like a squirrel. Hard to explain. It sounds like a mini sneeze. Is it really? Is she just getting too much sun?

 

P.S. She's also depressed, shes doesn't want to move much. And this is the first time she is bobbing her head. She's sick isn't she? Can anyone tell me the cause and help me out? Thank you so much if you do. I myself am starting to get sad and depressed just seeing her like this.

Edited May 29, 200520 yr by Nefas

Waste no time in getting this bird to the avian vet. She is VERY ill! Sunlight may seem to have worked but I doubt it did anything other than warm her. (Sick birds should be kept warm but direct sunlight can also overheat them if they're overexposed to it.) Sunlight is great for birds, but the fact is, if they're getting it through a window they're not really benefitting from anything other than the warmth as a window will filter out all the good stuff that pure sunlight would provide. (Hence why many people use special lighting above their bird cages.)

 

Anyway, sorry for rambling. The fact is your bird is extremely ill and needs an avian vet. Please get her there and please let us know how it turns out.

Edited May 29, 200520 yr by eterri

My female has had a crusty cere for some time now. No eggs. Thats alright though. I'm not worried about that. But about a couple of times after we got her she started getting really messy on her face. Her cheeks turned a little yellow, her feathers were undone, and she just looked really messy and sad. This went on for a couple of days. I asked my dad if he knew what to do and he said to just give her some sunlight. I did and then slowly but surely she got a lot better. This happened another time too. I did the same thing and she got better again. So then I just decided to keep her cage by the window. They always get plenty of sunlight. And I haven't seen her be messy in a long time. But now shes messy again but it looks a little worse because the yellow is around her eyes. And she makes this "chich" noise where its like a squirrel. Hard to explain. It sounds like a mini sneeze. Is it really? Is she just getting too much sun?

 

P.S. She's also depressed, shes doesn't want to move much. And this is the first time she is bobbing her head. She's sick isn't she? Can anyone tell me the cause and help me out? Thank you so much if you do. I myself am starting to get sad and depressed just seeing her like this.

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Can you not take her to a vet???? Poor thing sounds ill..I think a visit now rather than later would be advised

You guys have no idea how much I'd like to take her. And money isn't really a problem. I mean i don't have enough myself. I only have a 20 left from my savings (american) but my parents won't mind paying. The problem is that there is no one that can take me right now. Its just me, my mom, my aunt and grandmother. My mom is the only one that can drive and I asked her but she said no. She said she's too busy with so many things. I'm scared to ask her again, she'll yell at me about it. We have people coming over today too. Which makes it worse because I have to take the birds elsewhere. I have been searching all day for vets near me that maybe I can walk to and have made phone calls and one place did supply my needs. Oh, except for the fact that its CLOSED TODAY. Its open tomorrow but still, I need it now. I don't know what to do. I can only supply my birds some tlc and maybe some things I can do now. I heard once that spraying water above them with it "misting" around them can "replenish their skin" I haven't tried it ever but does anyone think it will help? Anything I can do right now that could help someone please tell me. Thanks.

Also, about what you said Eterri, about the sunlight. Should I take the cage outside for pure sunlight? Would that help?

No, don't mist the birds. The ill one is probably cold and needs to be kept warm.

 

You should also separate the sick bird from the other one so you can keep an eye on her. If money isn't a problem, have your mom pay for the bus or a taxi to get you to the vet. If they're closed try an emergency vet and if that doesn't work, take a cab first thing in the morning.

Also, about what you said Eterri, about the sunlight. Should I take the cage outside for pure sunlight? Would that help?

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No, don't bother doing that right now that was really just extra information. It's good for them to get sunlight but it won't really help the bird that is sick. She should be kept in a warm, quiet room.

I live in East Michigan, there are no taxis around here. No buses either. It's not really a hussle and bussle city, its like a quiet neghborhood like city. But I'm going to take her into a quiet and warm room right now. I'll find one. Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it.

No, don't mist the birds. The ill one is probably cold and needs to be kept warm.

 

You should also separate the sick bird from the other one so you can keep an eye on her. If money isn't a problem, have your mom pay for the bus or a taxi to get you to the vet. If they're closed try an emergency vet and if that doesn't work, take a cab first thing in the morning.

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I cant add anymore to that.. We arent moaning at you We just care Hunny.

Does your Mum actually realise how sickly your budgie is, even if she could read these posts ..she wont shout at you for caring about your pet....

Keep your chin up , just do the very best you can do... Keep us up to date...

I hope all goes well.

 

I'd double check on the cab thing though, I live in a very small town myself and even we have taxis and busses. (Not very good busses, but they're there.) Maybe a relative or friend of the family would be willing to take you. I hope you find someone. Good luck.

Thank you so much. No seriously, do you have any idea how many times I've had people criticise me treating me like I hate birds or something? I've seen people do that to other people too. I hate it when they do that. They treat people like they're criminals. But you guys have been extremely nice about it. I realize how serious this situation is and am trying my best. Oh but there is hope. My sister is coming in about and hour and me and her have to clean the house today for the guests. But I'm sure we can take them to the vet and back here to clean.

Edited May 29, 200520 yr by Nefas

That's great news, I hope it works out so that you can take her.

 

I know a lot of the time advice can sound harsh but most people (myself included) usually have the best intentions in mind. Some subjects are just very sore and budgies are so often underestimated and treated badly. I'm pretty sure everyone here means well though. I know I've been very harsh to others in the past but it's never really a personal thing, I just get overly-passionate about the birds that are involved.

 

Anyway, I'm glad to hear that you may have a chance to get the birds to the vet and I look forward to your update!

Thats good news I hope it works out well for you..As Eterri said we do care passionately for the little feathered luvvies and unfortunately some people treat them as "disposable" mainly because they dont really care..you on the other hand have shown maturity and persistance..Well done Its sometimes hard being so young eh!?!!!

Let us know how it goes and good luck...

I hope you can take her to the vet's soon. It sounds to me like she's been vomiting, and that's why her facial feathers looked so unkempt. At least that was my first thought. If you can't get to the vet's today, then please, take her to the one you found first thing in the morning! Keep her warm tonight, and let us know how it turns out.

Unfortunately, we were not able to take her to the vet. Fortunately, she has fully recovered!!!!!! She hasn't vomited or anything like that. The problem was actually something extremely simple and I must say embarrasing, Shmaya (the female) had a shortage of water. While she was sick, depressed, messy, also DROOLING, and her yellow face and stillness, I called my dad and asked him what to do. Hes just like "give her some water"...Well I could have thought of that! But I didn't do it because they already had water and I didn't think Shmaya would actually be "too tired" to go to it or something. I guess I was wrong because I took the water tray out and moved it way up close to her so its in front of her, she drank like crazy. She saw it, tilted her head for a second, and started drinking it like superbird would.

 

I worried about her from there on out. But the recovery process was amazing and so quick. First, her drool wen't away, then she got more active and moved around more like normal. Her drousy eyes wen't away. Her feathers became straight again! Still a little yellow, but now nice and smooth. She stopped shaking her head and stopped "sneezing." Defonitly no longer depressed and now has energy to do everything she did once before. Well currently at this very second she looks great. No more yellow feathers or anything just like the first time I ever saw her. I am so happy that she's recovered. Thanks for all the help from you guys and all the very kind support you've given me. Me and Shmaya owe you so much. Best of wishes to you all and your birds.

Your bird still needs the vet, I hate to tell you this. She may seem recovered but after hearing all the symptoms I will say (pretty confidently) that she is not.

 

You see, the thing is, if water was the only problem to begin with she never would have gotten sick. The problem was that she was too weak to drink from her water? That means she is sick and is still sick. Maybe she was getting a bit dehydrated from not having the energy to drink but the fact remains, she must have felt pretty bad to be in that state to begin with.

 

In my opinion, this is still VERY much an emergency situation in which your bird needs a vet immediately.

 

Please also keep in mind that budgies hide their illnesses extremely well. This was an emergency the moment you noticed the changes in her body and behavior. It's gone on way too long even if she does appear to be feeling okay now.

Edited May 30, 200520 yr by eterri

No no, the problem wasn't that she was too tired to begin with. She didn't have water for hours. Not including night time. It was MY fault. Normally when I see the water tray and it looks like it'll finish soon I fill it back up. Well I didn't really check them at all yestarday because it was my nieces b-day and we had to get the balloons and gifts and blahblahblah. Well I guess the water apparently finished and she got her throat dry or something becaue I read somewhere that like humans and other animals, budgies can't last very long without water than without food. Well thats just my guess. I really can't take them to the vet. My sister keeps telling me about the insurence problems and stuff. I just need to hope for the best. Thanks for the warning though.

If you haven't been changing her water daily (really you should change it at least a couple of times a day) she could have a yeast infection that needs to be treated. I thought money wasn't an issue? If at all possible, she still needs to be seen by a vet. Going without water for a day shouldn't bring on those symptoms. You also mentioned that this has happened before, just not as badly. While the lack of water was definitely not good, this probably goes deeper than that. And even if it doesn't, better safe than sorry. I don't mean to hassle you or be harsh but it just bugs me to see you taking such a chance with your bird's life. You might think you have it figured out but only an avian vet can thoroughly check her out and say that she's okay.

 

Personally, I don't think it's as simple as what you seem to be convinced of. It doesn't make sense and I think she's ill. Especially if this is something that's happened before. And like I said, going without water is bad but I don't think it would cause so much so fast unless she's been without it for a much longer time. (Even then, she may need help from a vet anyway.)

 

Again, I'm sorry for hassling or seeming to be difficult but this is still a really serious situation.

the facy that she is drinking a lot is an indication of illness.

the first signs that rocky was ill was that he was drinking all the time.

my vet said thatthat is a sign of a poorly bird.

so it may be that your bird is not recovered but is just extra thirsty becasue she is feeling ill.

As eterri has put it. You have a sick bird. The chiching sound could be from a respitory infection. The only way to truely find out is a trip to the vet.

 

Hope all goes well.

Hi Again

Im pleased she seems a bit perkier but as with the other posts I do believe you have a sick bird...As mentioned also before if money isnt a problem why take a chance on the life of your pet.... Most animals actually drink a lot when ill..I am probably going to get a mouthful here but get someone to take your bird to a vet before its too late.. Having worked at animals shelters I used to see the attitude of "oh they will be okay" too often when obviously they werent..many times the same people would return with a different pet because unfortunately the previous perished so they had just "got a replacement"..they had still not learnt a lesson... If you were ill your mum loves you so she would get the Doctor to check you out..do the same for your pet..!!

Im sorry to prattle on but I feel so strongly about this.. Im not being mean just honest..

Good luck