I have 2 male budgies, 6 & 8 yrs old. They have been healthy in the past. One and a half years ago, my daughter came home from school and asked if we could have a cockatiel that a teachers assistant was giving away. It came from a friend of hers that could no longer keep it. I said yes. When we got the bird it had many of its back feathers pulled out. Also, it came with a mite spray from a pet store. I put 2 and 2 together and kept it in a separate room from "the boys". It went to the vet and she said it had a parasite infection. We treated that and tried giving many toys and healthy food, but she still seems to be a frustrated female. On a later check-up, after the infection was cleared up, the vet seemed to think that it would be no problem to keep the birds near each other. She didn't think the female's problem was related to mites, just frustration and boredom. (If I don't keep her in the dark, or covered, for at least 12 hours a day, she will start laying eggs.) Unfortunately, she still plucks. Recently, "the boys" have started to look a little shabby. Here comes the real reason I am posting this. The younger budgie has started looking lethargic and has started to lean forward when he sleeps. He was very puffy, so last night I put a heat source (light) right next to him. Now he isn't even keeping the other budgie off his perch, and he is on two feet, without his head tucked. He is keeping his eyes closed and his feet usually look pink, but now their red. Is this possible anemia from mites? I thouroughly cleaned the cage, perches, dishes and covering, in the hopes that this would help. Other than bringing him to the vet as an emergency, is there anything I can try for him? If he makes it overnight, I will try to get him to the vet tomorrow.

Sounds like you're doing everything you can. Are you taking these guys to an avian vet or a regular one? I'd make sure your vet is a certified avian vet.

it is hard to tell hugs, take him to vet either way and a different one and make sure it is an avian vet if all possible.

 

As for the vet that said put the tiel by the budgies (it is was under 30 days, I wouldn't go back to the vet). Any avain vet knows that a quarantine should last at least 30 days and the maximum and recommended is 90 days. So you can put that tidbit of information in your back pocket for future use.

 

I wish you the best let us know what happens today.

Unfortunately, when I checked overnight, I found he had passed away. At least his suffering is over. Yes, the cockatiel was brought to an avian vet. I'm not sure whether all three of the doctors there are board certified. (It had been over the 30 day quarantine.) I will be keeping an eye on the other budgie for signs of illness. So far he has been acting normally. As far as the cockatiel's feather plucking goes, does anyone have any suggestions about stopping or at least slowing it? Maybe more baths? (Once a week now.) She has some toys and a pretty good diet. She also gets a fair amount of exercise. (Opportunity to fly and a play area.) Look forward to your suggestions.

Sorry for your loss! I hope that your other budgie doesn't get sick.

ohh i'm sorry to hear the little one passed away. I hope you can get to the bottom of the problem before it worsens.

hugs on your loss. You can PM boomberry or eterri they have tiels and have more experience, since this is a budgie board we can't really give advice on other types of birds. If you do a serach you can and will find alot of infomation, try cockatiel.org I think it is too.

Edited May 9, 200619 yr by lovey

I'm very sorry to hear about your budgie. As far as the 'tiel, what does he eat on a daily basis? Has he been tested for giardia (if so, how many times?) Are there any rusted or metal toys or parts of the cage he's been exposed to lately?

Sorry I didn't get to respond sooner, but I am having a bad birdie week!

First Mike passes away and now Pete is sick. He likes to sit on top of the 'tiel's cage, but apparently she didn't appreciate it. April must have bitten Pete's back toe! There were a few spots of dried blood on his perch. We went to the vet this afternoon and unfortunately he noticed urich(?) acid crystals around (on?) the injury. Pete has gout. The vet said this was the start of kidney failure. I have some medicine for him, and he is to go back in one month. I will take it one step at a time, but eventually he will be leaving us too. It is very sad. (Oh, by the way in my original post I said they had been 6 and 8, but they really were 8 and 10 years old) Is 10 really that old for a budgie?

 

I'm very sorry to hear about your budgie. As far as the 'tiel, what does he eat on a daily basis? Has he been tested for giardia (if so, how many times?) Are there any rusted or metal toys or parts of the cage he's been exposed to lately?

The 'tiel always has a seed mixture available and otherwise eats what we do. Usually offer cereals such as cheerios, rice crispies, chex, cornflakes or wheat bagels or pancakes for breakfast. She won't eat eggs. One or two pieces of fruit (after school snacks), and part of our dinner like pasta, rice, potatoes, raw veggies or greens. She doesn't get much protien though. She will be going for a yearly check up next month, although the vet doesn't seem to think the giardia should recurr. Why are you asking about rust? There are a few very tiny spots starting, but I never see her biting or picking at her bars. Should I change to the other cage? It's not as sturdy, but it is newer.