Accepted Answer

Hi XXXXXXXXXXX,

Thank you for your question. I'm very sorry to hear that your budgie is sick.

From what you are describing, your bird is very sick. When birds show signs that they are ill, it is serious. In nature, they hide the signs that they are sick otherwise they most likely would be eaten. So in captivity, by the time you see signs, they have been sick longer than you realize.

At the age of 9, he is considered to be middle age to older so I'd be more concerned about the possibility of metabolic problems such as liver or kidney problems or even cancer.

I would highly recommend you seek veterinary attention for him today. If you do not know of a vet please let me know where you live (city, state, zip or equivalent) and I can possibly help with a referral. You can also got to www.aav.org (vet look-up).

At home, until he can be seen, I would keep his cage in a warmer place in the house. You don't want it by an air conditioner or draft. You can also put a heating pad on the OUTSIDE underneath the cage and cover the cage partially to help keep the heat in. If he seems weak, lower or remove the perches so he can't fall. If he is on the bottom of the cage, cover the cage bottom with something soft like paper towels. Make sure he has food and water right by where he is staying. We don't want him to move around alot or spend alot of energy.   Also give him 'treat' food like millet sprigs. They will often eat this if they aren't eating anything else.

There are no products over the counter I would recommend for him. The products in the pet store do not work and are a waste of time and money.

Please let me know if you have any more questions.

Dr. G

Expert:	Dr. G
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:
Answered:	10/22/2008

Veterinarian

Exotic animal veterinarian for 15 years