Birds--General/ill parakeet

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Expert: - 10/12/2006


Question
I have a parakeet who is sleeping lot more than normal and not eatting much at all. I got her out this morning and she has something on the corners of her mouth. It like like the seed in Italian sasage. She also had maybe a splinter in one of them. When I try to look at it she crys alot. I did take what I thought was a splinter out. Do you know what this could be and what I can do for her?
Thanks for your help,
Renee

Answer
Hi, Renee.  Thanks for posting!

I need more details in order to help out!  Has your keet been chewing on something made out of wood (something either inside her cage or, if you let her outside her cage, something in the room)?  Has she been chewing on anything other than food?  How long as this been going on?  Do her droppings look normal?  Does she cry when you hold her or just when you are looking at/around her mouth?  How old is this bird?  Where did you remove what you thought was a splinter from (what area of the body...her mouth)?  Did you look at this object good, perhaps under a magnifying glass to see what it could be?  If not, I recommend you do so in order to help determine what's going on (if you saved this item).  

The more details you can provide, the better I'm able to help you.

Thanks.

Chrys  

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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