Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 1/2/2008

Question
Hello,

We had 2 budgies who we purchased as a pair from a pet store since we could see they were great friends. We bought them about 9 months ago or so. Our one budgie has always shown signs of breathing issues because he always panted fast, though never opening his mouth to gasp or anything but never showed any signs of illness even when going to a vet, until a month ago, I looked at Tiki one day and noticed his poor eye was all swollen and his cere all crusted almost like it happened over night. We rushed him to a vet (unfortuately we live where there are no avian vets) and we started him on a course of 2 different antibiotics which seemed to bring the eye back down and cere was nice and clear.. On the day before new years eve, Tiki took a turn for the worst, the eye swelled back up and the cere began to bleed but not bad just like there was a cut or something there, we chose to not go back to the vet as they called earlier and said there wasn't much more they could do with us, we'd have to drive 3 hours to the nearest avian vet which we would have done in a heartbeat but I knew he wouldn't make it... Tiki ended up passing away that night, we found him hanging upside down from his perch?!?!?  My question is we've kept Tiki and Squeak isolated from the other birds this past month so they would not get sick, I wonder if its ok to return Squeak back with the other birds, or if we should look at getting him a completely different cage ( I cleaned it out very very well) and also will he become lonely without his friend?????

Answer
Hi, Melissa,

I found your question in the question pool this morning.  I don't know why it was not answered when you submitted it.

I'm sorry to hear about your loss.  What was the diagnosis for the bird that passed away?  Is Squeak showing any signs of illness?  A month might not be long enough.  I recommend you contact your vet and ask your question, since I do not know what the other bird suffered from.  

Cleaning out the cage might not be enough.  You need to DISINFECT the cage, toys, and anything else inside the cage the bird that passed away lived in, with bleach water and, if possible, allow all these items to dry in direct sunlight.  Direct sunlight is the best disinfectant in the world.  

Squeak may mourn for the loss of the other bird, depends on how close they were.  However, if you have other birds, particularly if you end up putting Squeak in with them, this will pass.

Chrys