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Birds--General/illness?
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Question
Good day.
I noticed some time ago that my budgie was often opening and closing its beak very quickly, as if it had some thing stuck under its tounge of in its mouth, I have also noticed that his mirror is covered in something like snot where he has pecked at it. Now, more worried, i noticed tonight that he is shaking his head as if he is trying to get some thing loose, but there is bit of millet coming out of his mouth when he does this, and also sometimes syliva drips from his beak. On close inspection i noticed his head has signs of this snot of syliva on it, as does his perch where he rubs his beak along as if he is wiping his nose. The vet's are closed now, but do you have any idea what this might be?
Thanks.
Peter
Hi, Peter,
I picked your question up from the general question pool just this morning. Don't know why it was sent there.
Your budgie could have a respiratory infection of some type or the bird is regurgitating food and trying to "feed" things in his cage. Feeding things, such as you, a mirror, etc., are ways a bird shows affection. If it isn't too late, I'd say your bird needs to be seen by a certified avian vet in order to determine which it could be. If your bird has a respiratory infection of some sort, it needs meds ASAP.
Chrys
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 8 | Clarity of Response = 9 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks for that, as can be seen, it was some time ago that i posted this, and had the bird to the vet a few days after posting the latter. The vet seems to be of the same opinion, that it was regurgitating food as he was in season, and suggested removing his mirror which i have done, he also tried a swab from his throat, but it was dry then so could not analize it. He gave me an antibiotic to put in the drinking water to be on the safe side. Since then he no longer has syliva dripping, but still constantly moves its beak quickly as if it has something stuck in its mouth. It is feeding OK and it seems chirpy enough though? Peter | ||
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Answers by Expert:
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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