Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 1/21/2007

Question

-------------------------------------------
The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Our budgie has developed a lump around the neck, below his beak. The lump is itchy and growing. He seems normal otherwise and happy. What is this lump and can we treat it?
-----Answer-----
Hi, Jane.  Thanks for posting!

I don't know what the lump is and whether you can treat it.  Have you held your bird and examined the area to see if the lump is soft, hard, oozing, etc.?  If not, you need to do so in order to have a better idea of what you might be dealing with.  How long has this lump been present?  How fast is it growing?  How old is the bird?  Could this be something in the bird's crop (is the bird a baby and you are handfeeding)?  Are you offering this bird any type of gravel or sand?  

I'm not an avian vet, so I cannot diagnose this problem over this website.  I might be able to give you some possibilities with some more detailed information, but it may end up that you need to get this bird to an avian veterinarian for medical evaluation and treatment.  Budgies are prone to fatty liver problems if they are on all-seed diets.  Fatty liver problems can result in growths on different parts of the body, this could be some type of tumor, etc.  

If you can answer some of my questions above and provide as many details as possible, I might be able to help more.

Thanks.

Chrys

Hi Chrys,

I use a budgerigar mix containing vitamin pellets and shell grit. The lump is soft but firm. The bird did not seem to be in pain when I touched the lump. The lump would be approximately the width of a pencil perhaps slightly bigger. Thank you I truly appreciate your help in this matter.
Jane  

Answer
Hi again, Jane.

If you are feeding your bird any type of grit or gravel, STOP doing so right away.  Parrots don't need grit or gravel.  In fact, grit or gravel can become inpacted in their crop and might require surgery to fix.  You didn't provide all the information I needed, so I can't help much.  If your bird has been on an all-seed diet, this lump could be a fatty liver lump.  You really need to take this bird to an avian veterinarian in order to find out what the lump is.  There are lots of possibilities, but in order to be certain, the bird will need to be examined by an avian vet ASAP.

Chrys