More Info on Sick Budgie?

Question

Thank you for your answer. He has been off the med for 2 days now and he is no longer just sitting on the bottom of his cage. He is eye is open now and no longer swollen he is eating fine, and his diarrhea has subsided. What concerns me is he never leaves his bottom Perch, does not play, climb, preen or use his cuddle Bone. He is anxious to get on your finger and come out of his cage and is sweet. But he does not want to move and NEVER makes one sound..no chirp or peep yet. I have asked everyone I know...contacted the vet and looked on line and no one knows if this is normal. Can you help PLEASE. I am already attached to him and want him happy and healthy. This morning he was just hanging his head real low... the pet show said to put him back on the meds???

Answer 1

Hrrrm... sounds like whatever is wrong with the guy is still bugging him. Either that or its a side effect from the meds he was on. The fact he's perching and the swelling has gone down is a good sign but I'm worried that he's not chirping or doing his other usual activities. Everything you've stated isn't good and isn't normal at all. I'd put him back on the meds and talk to the vet again. Until then I'd indulge his need to socialize with you. The poor guy certainly needs/wants the comfort you're giving him!

The head hanging means he's very tired or there's still something still wrong with his head. I know in rats weird head positions and eye problems can be signs of tumors or an abscess. Perhaps there's something similar wrong with your guy? Only the vet would know for certain.

Good luck! I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed!

Answer 2

It sounds like he is still very sick. When birds hang their head and stay on the bottom perch, they are very depressed. If his eye is swollen, he could have an infection of the eye itself, a tumor, or sinus infection. Did you take him to the vet for this medication? If it's just a pet store medication, you may lose your bird before it does any good.

I also suggest you keep him warm, by putting a heating pad on "low" under part of his cage, and draping a towel over it. If he's sick, he doesn't need to spend extra energy keeping warm. I would also offer him whatever he wants to eat (within reason). If he likes birdseed, give him bird seed. You could also offer him baby bird formula from a spoon or syringe, but this might stress him out more.

Really, the best thing to do is to take him to a veterinarian, preferably one who has experience working with birds. If you've already taken him in, please call the vet and tell them that your bird is still sick. And give him good supportive care--warm cage, tempting food and clean water--until you get him to the vet.