Sick budgie, help!

[Zazu_and_Iago]

I have had two parakeets for almost 6 years now, and one of them suddenly isn’t doing well.

I first noticed two days ago that a pitch of feathers was messed up on the top of her head, but it looked more like molting. Yesterday, she started shaking and was lethargic. Today, she is missing a lot more feathers and is looking really bad and is continuing to shake.

What’s going on and how can I fix it?

Thanks for your replies.

 

[noodles123]

Do you have an avian vet near you? I would get her in ASAP. Make sure you get her checked out because if it is contagious, your other bird could have it too, even without symptoms. They can carry and spread disease without ever getting sick themselves....

They hide illness, so you want to seek veterinary care as soon as possible, because by the time they are acting sick, they are often quite ill.

 

[Scott]

Sorry to know one of your parakeets is unwell. For all of the reasons above, I'd highly recommend a visit with certified avian vet. Without proper diagnosis, you'd be guessing how to treat with non-prescription remedies. A few search engines to help locate:

https://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803
(for the degree window, select ABVP Avian Practice)
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/find-an-avian-vet/
https://www.zupreem.com/feed-smart/articles/how-find-avian-veterinarian/

Please keep in mind many vets advertise "exotic" practice and may not have specialized training and equipment.

 

[Zazu_and_Iago]

There is a vet nearby I have been to in the past, it’s just going to be a little difficult to get there at the moment. Hopefully I can get there soon.

 

[Zazu_and_Iago]

Update: Even with the vet’s help and medication, I was very devastated this evening to find that Iago unfortunately passed away. It happened very fast, and his condition escalated very quickly. Thank you for all your help, though. I suppose this problem was just beyond me, even with the attempted road to recovery. I hope his companion, Zazu, gets better, as he looks very lonely at the moment

 

[noodles123]

I'm so very sorry for your loss...I wish there was more I could do. Thank you for updating...

Were you able to perform a necroscopy to determine the cause of death? His companion could also be infected if this was a virus (with or without symptoms). PBFD and ABV/PDD are 2 things that come to mind.. I know this is like the worst time to talk about that, but it is important to be aware of the possibility, because a future bird could get very sick if your companion is a carrier.

 

[Zazu_and_Iago]

I never did a neuroscopy. My best guess was some sort of fungal or bacterial infection because the bird had some yellow bumps all over his face. The other bird was showing some of the yellow bumps, but it isn’t there anymore, so I think that’s a good sign. I was only able to get a seed only food for a while due to COVID, could the lack of pellets for a few months have caused it?
I’m most worried about the depression right now, is there a best way to help the bird, or is it just a matter of time before she feels better? I don’t really plan on getting a future bird with her unless it is the only way she cheers up.

 

[noodles123]

It's not the only way to cheer her up. It will take time and it will be hard for her though. You will likely need to work on slowly building trust (slowly) to sort of fill his role in the flock (in all likelihood).

 

[Zazu_and_Iago]

Yeah, that was my plan. Thanks for the help!

 

[Scott]

My deepest condolences for your loss of Iago. Judging by the image in your original post, he was likely quite ill. Birds also grieve, hopefully you can give Zazu extra time and help her acclimate to a new life.

 

[Lunalie]

I'm so very sorry for your loss!

 

[Zazu_and_Iago]

Well now, with my luck, Zazu is just as sick as Iago was.
She has the same ruffles feathers/feather loss and is rubbing her head on branches. She is becoming more lethargic now too.
She is definitely depressed. She sits at the mirror all day and doesn’t do much, and doesn’t come out of the cage often unless I play music or give her crackers.
She sometimes acts normal, but looks really bad. I think I know what the outcome may be.
I’ve been giving her the medicine that was prescribed for Iago (not as frequently, but a bit), but it didn’t do anything for Iago. The vet also didn’t even know what the problem was in the first place.
Am I just fighting the inevitable or is there anything left for me to do?

 

[noodles123]

If you can get her to an avian vet and explain, maybe they can help. It could be viral or it could have been a mis-diagnosis the first time.

I am sorry!
Wish I could help more..
If things go wrong (and I pray they don't), DO get a necroscopy if you plan to have future birds-- I am not trying to make you feel worse, but certain viruses hang around for a long time in a home.

 

[Scott]

Very sorry to hear Zazu is unwell. I don't recall if the vet was certified avian? Without a good diagnosis, hard to know how to proceed.

Best advice is to do whatever is possible without assuming the worst case. Hopefully Zazu will have a better outcome.

 

[BoomBoom]

I'm sorry to read about Iago's passing. I hope Zazu pulls through. I second Scott and Noodles on getting good, reliable diagnosis from an avian vet. Not sure what resources are in your area but hopefully there is one within reach.

Sending prayers and good thoughts your way.

 

[Laurasea]

If you have had them
Six years and suddenly sick. I would try and make sure it isn’t something in the environment, like the city water might be contaminated, I’d switch to bottled waters to see if it helps. Check food and seeds Incase a batch went bad with mild or something, I’d remove all toys with metal , and loook fir any metal they can reach or lick. Use only organic produce and wash well to remove pesticides.
Have you started use anything new wise cleaning products in your he house? Any scented stuff like candles or room fresheners???

 

[Zazu_and_Iago]

The only two changes were adding an air purifier a few months ago and also having to switch to an all seed diet briefly because I couldn’t get the normal food, but it’s back to the normal diet now. She’s been drinking well water as long as I’ve had her, and it’s always bee clean.
Zazu has started chewing anything in out out of the cage (except the cuttlebone) and has discolored droppings. I can’t really get to the vet right now, but most of the symptoms look like some sort of liver disease from what I’ve read.
Most of her new behavior seems like depression, but she looks just like Iago did before dying.

 

[noodles123]

The only two changes were adding an air purifier a few months ago and also having to switch to an all seed diet briefly because I couldn’t get the normal food, but it’s back to the normal diet now. She’s been drinking well water as long as I’ve had her, and it’s always bee clean.
Zazu has started chewing anything in out out of the cage (except the cuttlebone) and has discolored droppings. I can’t really get to the vet right now, but most of the symptoms look like some sort of liver disease from what I’ve read.
Most of her new behavior seems like depression, but she looks just like Iago did before dying.

he issue is, you never did a necroscopy on your last, so you will never know for sure, unless you do testing, as virulence is all over the board in terms of transmission time-frame, same with bacteria etc. Observation alone is not sufficient when dealing with birds.

Again, still with you, just saying...

 

[Scott]

Does well water frequently change quality, or is it stable? Do you know the last time it was checked for impurities?

Liver disease is easily diagnosed with lab tests. If there is any way you can get to a certified avian vet, you'd likely know. Some liver issues are treatable.

 

[Zazu_and_Iago]

The water at my house is hooked right up to a purifier, so I know it is perfectly clean.

I wish I could get her to a vet, but I can’t right now for a number of reasons.