Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 1/9/2007

Question
Dear Chris

I would be extremely grateful if you could help with this problem.

I have a beautiful little budgie (around 18 months old) who keeps eating his sand sheets and cardbaoard perches.  I thought that I was doing the right thing covering his cage floor and perches with sand sheets and cardboard sand covers to keep his toe nails short, but he keeps eating them.

He ate quite a lot of both whilst I was out at work and am now so worried as to what will happen to him. (I have now removed all of them) He seems perfectly OK at the moment, but I am worried if there will be any effects.

What should I do?

What symptoms should I look out for?
What are the symptoms of intestinal obrstuction and poisoning and how long before these symptoms show themselves?

Any assistance you can offer would be very gratfeully received.

Thanks

Hazel

Answer
Hi, Hazel.  Thanks for posting!

DO NOT use sand sheets and cardboard (sand) perches.  This material is not at all good for a bird's feet.  It would be like us walking on sandpaper 24/7.  

There isn't anything you can do at this point.  You just need to watch him to see if he has any problems.  If he is having problem, his crop will most likely be swollen, he won't eat, drink, poop, and/or otherwise will be acting ill.  If he shows any symptoms, you will need to get him to an avian veterinarian ASAP for treatment.  If his crop becomes impacted as a result of eating this stuff, it will most likely require surgery to correct.  Any symptoms should show up fairly quickly.

Chrys