his constant bitting leads me into thinking they must be itchy, they also bleed from time to time and feel hot to the touch.
2007-03-21 08:35:22 · 11 answers · asked by SANDRA 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
I also think your budgie may have mites. Yes, you can buy a mite spray or ointment from a pet store. If you buy this spray, you also need to clean his cage and toys very well (bleach them) and spray the cage.
If this doesn't resolve the problem quickly, your bird should definitely go to the vet right away. Feet can get infected. Systemic infections are very bad in birds; you don't want this to happen to your budgie.
You should take a look at his feet and see how damaged/ bitten they are. If they're really damaged, then you should just take him to the vet right away and not bother trying to cure his problems with mite spray.
Also, birds need varied perches, or they get sores on their feet. Budgies should NOT have sandpaper perches; these cause sores on the bottom of the feet. If his feet are hurting, I suggest you get him a rope 'comfy perch'. Budgies also like to chew on branches. Check on line for a list of bird-safe branches, or buy one at a pet store. This gives him many widths of perching surface.
I hope your budgie gets better!
2007-03-21 09:15:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest taking your budgie to a certified avian vet. I disagree with using over the counter sprays as they can be harmful and quite frankly you really don't know what is going on with your bird.
It could be bumble foot, a nutrtional deficeincy, or very well mites, but you won't know until you go and check it out.
From my experience working in a vet's office, giving a sick bird over the counter meds is wasting valuable time. You really have no idea what the problem is. Is it viral? Bacterial? Fungal? Systemic? Certain sprays only work for certain types of mites, and if its not mites, you are spraying chemicals on your bird that won't even solve the problem. So giving them, when the cause of a disease is not known, may not only be a waste, but can lose valuable time. Unfortunately there is not a "one size fits all" medicine.
Over-the-counters that are sold at pet stores are often not approved by the FDA and are manufactured by unknown standards of quality. So you are not assured of the potency of what you are giving. Also, look at the label, you cannot ingest it, breath it in... why would you give it to your bird that has a more sensitive respiratory system than you?
You want to get whatever is going on nipped in the bud as soon as possible.
It's hard for me as a VT not to want to play doctor myself when my animals are sick, but in the end, it is much better to get an experts diagnosis. I have had parrots since I was young, I have eight parrots right now, I am a licensed Vet tech, does that make me an expert... no, but my opinion is, get your bird to the vet.
2007-03-21 17:29:39 · answer #2 · answered by Jessica A 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
While he is at the vet, change his perches. Buy a different kind - if they are plastic, switch to wood and vice versa. The vet will probably prescribe an antibiotic, just follow the directions carefully. Make sure you thoroughly clean out the cage with hot water.
2007-03-21 15:41:57 · answer #3 · answered by Lesley M 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say you little budgie has mites. I would buy him a mite spray and spray him about every 3 - 5 days with the spray. You also need to remove him from his habitat and spray his enclosure/cage. He will bite his feet and pull his feathers too!
His perches should be around 1.5 - 2.cm thick. A great idea is the new stone perches you can buy. I use stone perches for my African Grey (Del Boy)!
I hope this helps, please do let me know how you get on!
Sean
2007-03-21 15:46:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take him to a vet to see if there is an infection that needs to be treated.
Make sure his cage is clean. Walking in his own fecal matter could cause bad feet.
Put several perches in his home. Make sure they are different sizes, but all small enough for his feet.
2007-03-21 15:56:27 · answer #5 · answered by Noner 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if they feel hot to the touch that is a sign of an infection. Infections can also be itchy and uncomfortable. I suggest taking him to the vet as you may need antibiotics
2007-03-21 15:39:20 · answer #6 · answered by allyalexmch 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
take him to the vet to get a topical treatment for this condition. He could have a fungus or a parasite. But a good topical cream will cure the problem.
2007-03-21 15:39:53 · answer #7 · answered by cfxs1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
id have him allergy tested, chewing on the feet is a common sign of allergies. I just had my dog tested its about $350 to $500 for the test.
2007-03-21 15:39:36 · answer #8 · answered by latifa 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
what is his normal surface for walking on? It should be about the size for him to comfortably grip it with his foot...
2007-03-21 15:38:32 · answer #9 · answered by Candy S 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they make spray for "hot spots" (such as bitter apple spray) to keep your dog from chewing.
2007-03-21 15:39:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋