Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 3/18/2007

Question
I do have a vet, and I am going to take my budgie tomorrow, but I wanted to know if you can shed some light so I can have more information to give to the vet.  I have a female budgie, she is on a pelleted diet, it is called Perfect Pellets, I have noticed for the past two weeks that when she eats it seems like she is regurgitating up food-she is not bonded to me or anything.  I also noticed that it gets on her face.  I started to observe her more closly and I have noticed in the past week, that her droppings have become less and are smaller.  Other than that she seems fine, she preens, plays, makes noise, she has not mate, and is in a cage by herself.  Do you have any idea what might be happening.  I am suspecting something with her crop, or an infection.  Thank you

Answer
Hi, Sherry.  Thanks for posting!

Is your bird bonded to a toy or other object in her cage (they don't have to be bonded to a person in order to regurgitate food for affectionate reasons)?  How long have you been feeding the Perfect Pellets...could be a problem with the pellets?  Be sure to take the pellet package to your avian vet when you visit (be sure to see an avian vet...not a cat/dog vet).  Is her crop hard (when you feel it, do you feel anything hard)?

Your best bet is to have the avian vet do a swab of her crop and cloaca (vent) for analysis to see what's going on.

Chrys