Hi, I saw mentioned somewhere on here that tail bobbing could be a sign of sickness - what is it and what could it indicate?

Over the last couple of weeks I've been reading alot of the stuff on this forum and have learnt heaps about avian diseases. Consequently i've been looking at my beautiful little Hercules wondering is she okay? She's preening alot, but she is going through her first molt but could she have mites? I've looked through her feathers and can't see anything at all - but would I be able to anyway. She seems in good health - she's active and generally what I'd call happy and playful but I'm panicking all the same...

Is there any preventative stuff I can give her so she doesn't get sick? Should I treat her for mites - would it hurt if i did and she didn't have them??

So far I'm changing her water and seed everyday and feeding her greens from my garden but is there more I can do? Should she have suppliments or something, what about pellets??

I don't know of any avian vets in my area (Adelaide, South Australia) if anyone knows where I could go that would be great...

Well Jess, they preen more when they are moulting, sounds perfectly normal to me. I wouldn't treat for mites if she hasn't got any, that's just me, I don't even give my kids panadol, see what some experts on here say. Sounds to me like it might be money well spent for you to go to an avian vet for a well bird check - the consult for my recent visit was $40, and it's always a good idea to know your vet before your bird gets sick. Someone on here will post a link to avian vets, but try your yellow pages

 

The best way to prevent disease is by a good diet, and your well on your way to that by questioning your birds diet. I think the best thing to do is have a look at the FAQ's, I'm sure they will have the information you need. There is also Eterri's site, if you haven't already been there have a look, she is a fountain of information. She will also happily answer your questions, so feel free to ask her anything. Or of course all of us click here for Eterri's site

Hi, I saw mentioned somewhere on here that tail bobbing could be a sign of sickness - what is it and what could it indicate?

Over the last couple of weeks I've been reading alot of the stuff on this forum and have learnt heaps about avian diseases. Consequently i've been looking at my beautiful little Hercules wondering is she okay? She's preening alot, but she is going through her first molt but could she have mites? I've looked through her feathers and can't see anything at all - but would I be able to anyway. She seems in good health - she's active and generally what I'd call happy and playful but I'm panicking all the same...

Is there any preventative stuff I can give her so she doesn't get sick? Should I treat her for mites - would it hurt if i did and she didn't have them??

So far I'm changing her water and seed everyday and feeding her greens from my garden but is there more I can do? Should she have suppliments or something, what about pellets??

I don't know of any avian vets in my area (Adelaide, South Australia) if anyone knows where I could go that would be great...

 

 

Hi Jess and welcome to the forums. You have asked a couple of questions that go through a lot of owners mind.

 

The tail bobbing could be a sign of laboured breathing. Is she still doing it? Can you heard any clicking sound with her breathing. Is she having trouble breathing. By now you should know.

 

If she is moulting, she will be doing a lot of preening. The pin feathers that you see can get itchy and will need her to give them the attention that they need. What ever you do, don't try to remove the outer coating on the pin feathers to hurry the process. She is quite capible of doing that herself.

 

Mites and lice are small insects that infest the bird. You maybe able to see them if you open her wing up to a strong light. Like a Doctor reading an Xray. You will see them as small black dots on the flight feathers. (the long feathers at the end of the wing) If you see them, then take action. Small mites can burrow into her cere and the side of her beak and cause a condition called Scaly Face. You will notice them. There are solutions to help.

 

Yes there is preventive medicine that can help. Probotic that can be bought from your vet is a good way to keep her digestive system working well. We should all be taking probotics for our system. I do.

 

Other wise just common sence will help. Budgerigars are like us. They don't like changes in temperature. very hot to cold or visa versa. Keep out of drafts and away from chemicals. There are plants that are harmful.

 

..........and if in doubt ask on the forum. We are always ready to help out.

 

You can find some more information, including a list of harmful plants in other sections of this forum or on my website. HERE

Edited December 30, 200519 yr by daz

keep the cage area clean and hygeinic, and check the poops on the cage lining daily for any signs of change. once you get to know your birds normal behaviour any changes will become quite noticable, then you can act very quickly by taking him to the vets before he gets really sick.

Edited December 30, 200519 yr by pixie25

The best thing you can do (as Lin mentioned) is have an annual well bird check so that your vet can identify and treat problems that may not be visible without tests. You can also get a gram scale and monitor your budgie's weight on a regular basis. Spruce up the diet a bit with pellets, cooked foods, legumes, etc. and that will help. A bird that is eating well is easier to keep at the proper weight than a budgie that eats mostly seeds. It's also a happier budgie.

 

As pixie said, you'll soon learn what is and isn't normal for your budgie. Any change in behavior is reason to contact your avian vet immediately.

 

I don't advise treating for diseases or parasites unless you're positive they exist. At a well bird checkup, your vet can test for these and if they're present, he/she will treat your bird with the proper medication and dosage.

 

Like Daz said, if your budgie is tailbobbing (tail moving up and down, usually in time with the budgie's breathing), he/she should be seen by the vet as this is a sign of illness.