Question about a sick parakeet?

Question

So one of my parakeets was fluffing his feathers, nonactive, not eating, had brown crusties around his beak and neck , a piece of bird seed in his month, in the end he locked up all his muscules, he was fine 2 days ago he was flying around singing, all of a sudden this happened, and then he died in my hands tonight, my other bird seems to be find, so you have any ideas of what it could have been? that way i can make sure the other one is ok!!

Answer 1

This is a long post, if you don't want to read all of it skip down to the questions and list of warning signs at the bottom. The symptoms you mentioned can be caused by a number of things so it is hard to pinpoint the problem without tests or an necropsy. The best way to find out what killed your bird is to ask a vet.

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A lot of this is general information so don't take offense as none of it is directed at you personally:)

First off, just because it is only $15 doesn't mean it doesn't deserve and need frequent vet trips. Because of the cheap price of these little parrots people often consider them as throw-away pets, that is, that you can just go out and buy a new one like you can a gold fish. Parakeets are small versions of their bigger cousins. They can suffer from any of a number of things from poor nutrition (which is very common) to a bacterial infection to psittacosis (beak and feather disease). These little guys can easily make it to 15 years and even 20 with proper diet and regular checkups. If you notice any of the symptoms you mentioned in any of your other birds you need to take them to an avian vet immediately, in fact, you should probably take them in for checkups anyway and make sure they know about birds. when looking for a good vet ask them how many birds (specifically parakeets) they see a day. If they tell you they see maybe one a day or just a few every week, go somewhere else. Bird care is expensive which is why I personally don't think people should purchase them unless they save up enough to cover not just the necessities like cage, food, and a couple of toys but to cover vet visits which cost at least $100-$200 per bird for a full check-up (blood work, fecal test, etc.).

If you cannot afford to take your little guys to the vet make sure you keep an eye on their health and diet. Birds are very good at hiding their illness because in the wild any sign of sickness makes them a target for predators. Any bird you think may be sick should be isolated from the others. Keep a spare cage or even a small fish tank with towels lining the bottom and a heat lamp to give extra warmth. A lot of times extra warmth and maybe some home made bird mash (a mix of veggies and grains to make easy eating) can fix less serious ailments.

http://www.parrotparrot.com/birdhealth/ has a lot of good stuff about care and what to watch out for. Make sure you are not just feeding them seed as even those brands that claim to have full nutrition sprayed into every bite are not adequate. Try to get them to eat fresh veggies like carrots and green leaf lettuces every day. I bake birdie bread for my guys with pellets and fruits baked in for vitamins (they are so picky when it comes to vegetables-_-). Stay away from produce that is know to have a lot of pesticide residue like peaches and strawberries (you can find lists of affected produce online), stick to organic if you can.

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Common health issues:
What kind of cage do you have? Is it one of the thin metal paint-coated cages? If so are your bird chewing on the bars? Although you'd think they’d know better birds often eat things that they are not supposed to and paint chips from their cage is one of them. The paint used on many or the cheaper bird cages is easy to chip off and contains a lot of chemicals that will harm your bird. If you notice any paint missing it's time to get a new cage, either a stainless steel cage (make sure it's zinc free) or one that is powder coated.

Can your birds reach their bedding/newspaper or whatever substrate being used to line the cage bottom? If they can they may be eating it. Dyes in newspaper can be toxic and the fibers can block your bird's digestive tract.

Are they warm enough/getting enough light? Although they are well adapted to fluctuating temperatures, if the room they are in (or especially if they are outdoors) is too cold, below 60*F, you should consider getting a full spectrum bird light or heated perch. I have a heated perch that I plug in on especially cold days so my bird has the option of standing on it to warm up. I am also going to purchase a full spectrum light for they days I cannot let them out in the sun long enough. Birds live by the sun, it regulates when they get up and go to sleep, when they mate and is also necessary for them to be able to absorb calcium and other minerals.

Make sure your bird gets regular baths, everyday if you can. It keeps them happy and keeps their skin and feathers nice and clean, not to mention they are fun to watch. Use a spray bottle with slightly warm water to mist them lightly on days that are too cold for a bath.

Warning signs:
As you already know fluffed up feathers and crusty beak and vent are clues that something is up. Other things to look out for are appetite, if they are pooping, they are eating. Sometimes you may notice that your bird has not pooped as much before he stops eating. Make sure the poop looks right i.e. it's the regular dull green/brownish color. If it turns neon yellow or green something is wrong.

Make sure the toys in the cage are not too worn down. Birds will sometime swallow pieces unintentionally especially if the toy is over the food dish and bits of it land in the food.

Are you feeding them grit or bird sand? It used to be thought that birds needed grit to aid digestion but it is now know that it can in fact be deadly. Birds that suffer mineral deficiency often gobble down grit in an attempt to satisfy their nutritional need. Too much grit can lead to gut impaction and the bird will stop eating.

Also I suggest that you eventually get another buddy for your remaining parakeet or else try to spend extra time with him/her (if you don't already). If they were together for a long time it will be really hard for you parakeet and it may start plucking or eat less out of mourning. Parakeets are flock birds and are never alone in the wild.

All this info is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to bird care. I suggest that you research the heck out of the subject for the sake of your feathered friends. I'm on the net looking parrot stuff up, getting books from the library and pestering my vet (not to mention anyone I know that has birds) all the time and I still don't know enough about them. I never expected that my heart would be stolen by a little feathered monster that reminds me of the raptors in Jurassic Park whenever he gets mad. My little green-cheeked conure is a spoiled little brat and my African gray is no better:) Sometimes I wonder who's in charge.

Answer 2

Hi there. Sorry for your loss. What a bummer. The brown discharge suggests a respiratory infection that probably progressed to pneumonia, sepsis and death. The best way to fight disease is to boost the immune system through diet. First hot water/detergent clean your cage. You can spray it with hydrogen peroxide followed by spraying with white vinegar. This is a nontoxic disinfectant. Air dry the cage in sunshine. Next convert your bird to a good pellet food. Studies have shown that all seed diets lead to malnutrition. Limit seeds to 10% to avoid fatty liver disease and other obesity problems. Feed 10-20 % fresh fruits and veggies. Avoid avocado because it contains persin which has been found to be toxic to birds and even other types of animals. Avoid chocolate which also can be toxic because theobromine which is caffeine like is an alkaloid and birds and other animals have difficulty metabolizing it. Eat the new foods in front of the bird and act like it is delicious. You are the flock leader and your remaining bird will get interested by example. Use your good judgment as to whether an avian vet is necessary. Many vets don't specialize in birds. Keep your bird away from drafts. With some changes and a little faith things may be great for your little fid (feathered kid). Most respiratory infections are viral in nature even though they can progress to a bacterial infection requiring antibiotics. There are no anti-virals used on birds at this time. Let us know how things work out. Have a great day/every day.

Answer 3

parakeets don't live very long despite what the books say. They are prone to developing tumors, I don't think that this what happened to your bird. Fluffing feathers might mean that it was cold, but since the other bird didn't fluff, then I would say that the parakeet got a cold. I'm sorry that your lovely bird died, but sometimes birds get sick. Watch the other one, wash the cage well in the shower with dawn dish soap and hot water. Wash the food and water dishes well with dish soap and hot water. Make sure to give fresh food and water. I'm sure that the other one will be fine, but if he/she isn't you have to consider what you're willing to do. Parakeets are only $15, but a visit to the vet can be so much more, on the other hand it is your pet and a part of your family. Good luck. I hope everything turns out well.

Answer 4

I don't know what happened, but wanted to tell you I'm sorry for your loss. I know how difficult it is to lose a pet. I had a parakeet too, and he died at age 10, but had no symptoms like you're describing

Answer 5

Sorry to hear that. Be sure to get the other birdie checked out soon.

Answer 6

it happend to my burd too... u shud get ur other 1 checked if u want it to live ... its liver failure from a bird disease and can be taken care of with anti biotics