Is this normal

[Wolverine]

Wolfy has started to kind of lie on his perch, only a particular one if he is on a different one he doesn’t do it but it’s kind of like he is hunched on it. It’s worrying me slightly and want to make sure I’m being silly before ringing the vet. He was at the vets a week and a half ago for a wellness check/new pet health check and he was a healthy boy. He is moulting right now and I know that can make them feel a little rubbish. Poos are normal, eating and drinking normally. Cere is normal and there is not discharge from his nose or eyes and his breathing is normal. The first 3 websites I came to after typing on budgie lying on perch told me he was dying so now I’m kind of panicked but he also seems so healthy I just want to make sure I’m not just being a nervous new owner. He is wet in the pic as I had just misted him, he is still coming over to me when I talk to him etc just for 3 days or so he has been spending a lot of time in the position in the picture.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Wolfy has started to kind of lie on his perch, only a particular one if he is on a different one he doesn’t do it but it’s kind of like he is hunched on it. It’s worrying me slightly and want to make sure I’m being silly before ringing the vet. He was at the vets a week and a half ago for a wellness check/new pet health check and he was a healthy boy. He is moulting right now and I know that can make them feel a little rubbish. Poos are normal, eating and drinking normally. Cere is normal and there is not discharge from his nose or eyes and his breathing is normal. The first 3 websites I came to after typing on budgie lying on perch told me he was dying so now I’m kind of panicked but he also seems so healthy I just want to make sure I’m not just being a nervous new owner. He is wet in the pic as I had just misted him, he is still coming over to me when I talk to him etc just for 3 days or so he has been spending a lot of time in the position in the picture.

It doesn't look right to me. He's hunched over, puffed up with his eyes partly closed which isn't the normal resting or sleeping position for a healthy budgie. I hate to worry you but I would take him back to the vet. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it's because he just got misted.

What do other PF members think?

 

[zERo]

I think another vet visit is a good idea. What tests did they do the last visit?

 

[Wolverine]

Hi guys I already took him in as an emergency I couldn’t leave him he was worrying me. He has been given a 5 day course of baytril. He doesn’t really want to do a blood test unless absolutely necessary, he started bobbing his tail so I rang straight away. He is back on Friday (unless he gets worse before then) to check antibiotics are working and if not then we will look at further investigation. He thinks he has a respiratory infection or the start of one at least.

 

[zERo]

Hi guys I already took him in as an emergency I couldn’t leave him he was worrying me. He has been given a 5 day course of baytril. He doesn’t really want to do a blood test unless absolutely necessary, he started bobbing his tail so I rang straight away. He is back on Friday (unless he gets worse before then) to check antibiotics are working and if not then we will look at further investigation. He thinks he has a respiratory infection or the start of one at least.

Aww poor guy!

Good think you were able to take him…keep us updated on his condition!

Edit: Also, I had to give baytril to one of my tiels when I first got him and he’d had a respiratory infection then and it worked wonders!

 

[LaManuka]

I'm glad you were able to get some treatment for Wolfy, @Wolverine, I agree that that pic you posted does look worrisome. Sending prayers to your sweet boy for his recovery and I hope the meds do the trick!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Hi guys I already took him in as an emergency I couldn’t leave him he was worrying me. He has been given a 5 day course of baytril. He doesn’t really want to do a blood test unless absolutely necessary, he started bobbing his tail so I rang straight away. He is back on Friday (unless he gets worse before then) to check antibiotics are working and if not then we will look at further investigation. He thinks he has a respiratory infection or the start of one at least.

I'm so glad you took him in right away. You should never wait when you think your bird looks unwell.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I'm so glad you took him in right away. You should never wait when you think your bird looks unwell.

I really hope Wolfy gets better. It's obvious you're crazy about him and he's a lucky budgie to be so loved. Please keep us updated on his condition.

 

[Wolverine]

So 2 days of antibiotics and he hasn't got back to hugging his perch once. He is actually sitting huge than I have ever seen him and for the first time since I got him I have heard him singing twice today so I'm wondering if he has been feeling rubbish since I got him and he just hid it very well.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

So 2 days of antibiotics and he hasn't got back to hugging his perch once. He is actually sitting huge than I have ever seen him and for the first time since I got him I have heard him singing twice today so I'm wondering if he has been feeling rubbish since I got him and he just hid it very well.

When I first saw the pictures you posted I thought Wolfy looked like he wasn't feeling well but I figured it was "new home" stress. I'm thrilled that he's better and singing. You and Wolfy are lucky to have access to a good avian vet. A lot of bird owners don't.

 

[Wolverine]

I have just noticed the amount of spelling mistakes I made haha he is sitting on a higher perch than he has done since I got him not huge The vets is outside my city around 25 minutes journey but they are the only avian vet within about 30 miles. I used to work at a vets as a receptionist so I kinda got to know most surgeries near me with referrals etc so I am lucky to already have an established relationship with them, they know if I am calling I’m worried so they see me pretty quickly.

 

[Wolverine]

Now I have fixed my phone I can show him sitting proud and tall today, still fluffed up abit but he isn’t bobbing his tail today which makes me happy. Back to the vets tomorrow to make sure he is fully recovering then hopefully we can start free flying next week as he steps up when asked.

 

[LaManuka]

I have just noticed the amount of spelling mistakes I made haha he is sitting on a higher perch than he has done since I got him not huge The vets is outside my city around 25 minutes journey but they are the only avian vet within about 30 miles. I used to work at a vets as a receptionist so I kinda got to know most surgeries near me with referrals etc so I am lucky to already have an established relationship with them, they know if I am calling I’m worried so they see me pretty quickly.

You're very lucky to have the contacts that you do as avian vets seem to be getting more scarce. Mine will be retiring fairly soon and I'm dreading it It's wonderful to see Wolfy looking better and I wish him a full and speedy recovery!

 

[Wolverine]

Been for his check up today and is definitely feeling better. Vet has advised to add cayenne pepper to his feed once a day for the next 3 weeks as it’s a good natural anti inflammatory and pain killer and then to add it once a week for he health benefits. Also to add a tiny amount of minced fresh garlic to his feed every 2 weeks as it is apparently very good for the immune system and boosting the respiratory system too. My vet is also into holistic remedies it seems which I like. Wolfy looking not fluffed up at all today

 

[LaManuka]

Been for his check up today and is definitely feeling better. Vet has advised to add cayenne pepper to his feed once a day for the next 3 weeks as it’s a good natural anti inflammatory and pain killer and then to add it once a week for he health benefits. Also to add a tiny amount of minced fresh garlic to his feed every 2 weeks as it is apparently very good for the immune system and boosting the respiratory system too. My vet is also into holistic remedies it seems which I like. Wolfy looking not fluffed up at all today

Oh I love good news - he's looking 1000% better!

 

[onamom]

Been for his check up today and is definitely feeling better. Vet has advised to add cayenne pepper to his feed once a day for the next 3 weeks as it’s a good natural anti inflammatory and pain killer and then to add it once a week for he health benefits. Also to add a tiny amount of minced fresh garlic to his feed every 2 weeks as it is apparently very good for the immune system and boosting the respiratory system too. My vet is also into holistic remedies it seems which I like. Wolfy looking not fluffed up at all today

That’s great! I love holistic medicine. He looks good.

 

[Wolverine]

Looking back he has definitely been fluffed up most of the time I have had him I thought it was because he is an English he was meant to be fluffy but now he isn’t fluffed up can really see his crest and head fluff I love him so much

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Looking back he has definitely been fluffed up most of the time I have had him I thought it was because he is an English he was meant to be fluffy but now he isn’t fluffed up can really see his crest and head fluff I love him so much

How is Wolfy doing?

 

[Wolverine]

How is Wolfy doing?

He is amazing! He comes for head scratches in the mornings when I get him up and has been out his cage yesterday. His flight feathers are definitely coming in and he can go from my bed to his cage now and back to me on the bed. I do have a question though, could I get him a smaller cage to sleep in that I can keep in my room and keep his big cage in his flight room or will the cage change stress him? His cage is really big and moving it is quite difficult but I really need him in my bedroom overnight as I have 3 boys with additional needs that love him immensely but they love him to the point they want to touch. I am worried they will get up before me and let him out one day. I have ferrets and dogs (not in the same room) but the children wouldn’t know to keep them separate they are all under 6. So I thought a smaller cage in my room for sleeping and his big flight cage in my day room during the day?

 

[Wolverine]

Not too worried about the cat at 16 she mainly sleeps and eats now haven’t seen her even look at a bird in a year or 2 and the mouse we had in the house the other month was sharing her biscuits. Ferrets are completely caged and have their own space for free time so not desperately worried about them either but the dogs are all rescue dogs that have come from working homes so they have all been used for some kind of hunting in the past. Have done a lot of training with them over the past 10 years I have had them but I wouldn’t trust them alone with any other animal just because the instinct is still there.