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Question

I have had my budgie for 5 months, he has always been very active untill about 3 weeks ago i tought that it might be due to his moult or depression over a budgie that i was looking after for a week so i got him a friend but things have not changed he sleeps about 18 hours a day when he is awake he dosn''t make a sound he can''t fly due to the loss of his flight feathers but he is eating and drinking normally and interacts with the other budgie but not for long befor he is tired again is he ill or is this due to his moult

Submitted: 589 days and 6 hours ago.
Category: Pet
Value: $12
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Optional Information:
Age: <1; Male; Breed: budgie

Already Tried:
adding vitamin and mineral suppliments to feed

Posted by TheCaretaker 589 days and 3 hours ago.

Answer

The issue might have been one thing at first that turned into another thing when you started trying to treat it with additives . I've often seen birds go off their food altogether due to the supplements (which won't treat illness anyway).

A change in vocalization with our birds is a symptom we can't ignore and I'll get a vet visit scheduled same week; when accompanied by lethargy (excessive sleeping) it's something I'd schedule within the next 24-48 hours.

Since your companion has been acting off for a while I'd get him seen no later than tomorrow.

It could be a relatively simple infection that would require a course of antibiotics (make sure your vet does a crop/vent swab and cultures, along with blood chemistry). The sooner seen, diagnosed and treated, the more efficient the recovery in most cases and ultimately the least costly.

One warning though, when giving antibiotics, give them meticulously and until they're all gone. Don't stop when the symptoms seem to be gone otherwise the problem is likely to return and be even worse than it was - and a lot more complicated to treat.

It's generally recommended that most of today's companion birds have a predominantly pelleted diet. Pellets have been continually updated since being introduced to the market years ago and today's formulas are better than ever.

 

Supplementing this diet with fresh foods every day is ideal and many owners find they can re-introduce seeds - in limited amounts (perhaps once or twice a week) without the bird refusing the pellets overall.

Even though the below link references 'cockatiels' it's applicable to your budgie too.

http://www.cockatiels.org/articles/nutrition/diet.html cites feeding both seed and pellets, but only after weaning from a mostly seed diet.

"Let's Talk Birds" http://www.letstalkbirds.com/cockatiels.htm ‘

The American Cockatiel Society http://www.acstiels.com/Articles/BasicCare/cockatie.htm

 

The Bird Care Library at Harmony Animal Hospital http://www.petvets.com/petcare/birds.html#nutrition

Good luck with your companion - and keep up the excellent observations. It's probably made all the difference!

588 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

Thank you for your advice. I took Oran to the vet today, where he was given an antibiotic in addition to extra suppliments. This is his first moult and it has taken a lot out of him. I should to see an improvement within the next week, and hopefully have Oran back to his cheerful, active self. I have been missing his antics and companionship.
many thanks again for your help.

Accepted Answer

I'm so glad to hear this. I knew by your question that you'd do the right thing. This bird should be with you a very long time. Stop back anytime you need anything.

God bless,

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Expert: TheCaretaker
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 4/14/2008

Own Animal Care & wildlife habitat

Animal Rescue&Care Org Owner; Animal Care author; Animal Behavior Consults.;Cert. Avian Specialist;

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