The Budgies' test results are in....

RavensGryf

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Jan 19, 2014
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DNA has comfirmed Mink is a girl.
All viral tests came back negative (which I was confident considering where I got her) but still a relief to formally hear it. :)

On a separate note for my boy Twigs - he had a Culture & Sensitivity, and a fecal, for symptoms such as slightly softer than normal poop (on occasion), and his crop seems to bulge (sometimes, not always) with slow digesting food.

His results showed NO abnormal types of bacteria either from the crop or fecal. I was surprised that he is now 38 grams (and he is not a large framed pet type). I need to keep him away from my parrots' food bowls where he gorges himself on their Harrison's pellets nightly (he has his own too).

At this point, my vet thinks his problem is from overeating. I HOPE that is all. I'm paranoid because his friend died from overeating due to what they thought was thyroid problems (bad genetics from bird mill breeding :(), where his hunger mechanism wouldn't turn off, which in turn cause a plethora of other problems. This doesn't seem like the same thing going on, but still can't help but be a little worried.

As advised by his vet, he's on organic unfiltered ACV in the water, so hopefully that helps with his crop. He also has probiotics (made by Harrison's) but it doesn't stick to food too well.
 

JerseyWendy

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What terrific news on Mink, Julie! YAYYY!!! :D

I didn't mean to, I promise, but I couldn't help but giggle when you wrote that Twigs likes to gorge himself on your other guys' Harrisons. Aren't you feeding that boy? (You KNOW I'm just kidding!!!)

As diligent as you are, I know you'll get Twig's eating disorder (gorging part) under control. :)
 
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RavensGryf

RavensGryf

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Lol Wendy, he eats normal portions in his cage like a perfect little gentleman, but as soon as he gets to Raven's cage, he acts like he hasn't eaten in days :52:.

I have to examine him tonight again. He hates being caught and handled, so I feel bad when I have to do it.
 

Dinosrawr

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Congrats officially on your baby girl Mink! I'm glad to hear both of them are healthy, despite Twig's current food obsession, hahaha. There are most definitely worst things in the world :D
 
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RavensGryf

RavensGryf

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Well, I just hope the vet is right, and there is no underlying problem. The reason I was so concerned is because of what happened to Pix and the reason he died, and Twigs also being a Petsmart bird mill budgie...

I tried to catch him to examine him tonight, but he was too fast for me lol. His crop at least looked normal :).
 

labell

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Feb 17, 2014
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Yay Mink! Glad SHE checked out fine. Poor Twigs, hopefully now that he will have a new friend and a larger flight cage he will work some of that off and be too busy trying to impress Mink than over eat.:)
 

Terry57

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Awww, so happy that Mink is a girl!
Poor Twigs, he will have to get in shape to keep up with that little beauty:)
Does everyone get the same Harrison's pellets or are they different sizes?
Maybe their food just looks better to him, I always want what's on Reg's plate when we go out to dinner.
 
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RavensGryf

RavensGryf

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College Station, Texas
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Red Bellied Parrot /
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Awww, so happy that Mink is a girl!
Poor Twigs, he will have to get in shape to keep up with that little beauty:)
Does everyone get the same Harrison's pellets or are they different sizes?
Maybe their food just looks better to him, I always want what's on Reg's plate when we go out to dinner.

Yes, they all eat the "fine" size. They have super fine, but I didn't find it necessary to have to buy a different size. As far as pellets go, I am starting to use Roudybush instead for the budgies, because it is lower in protein content and might be better for the species.

LOL about Reg's plate :18: I know... someone else's food always looks appealing!
 

Allee

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Awww, Julie, Mink's a little girl! Oh my, she's so outnumbered! I'm happy she's healthy.

I have confidence, I know you will find a way to help Twigs with his overeating. Gypsy understands Twigs and sends lots of love.
 
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RavensGryf

RavensGryf

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Jan 19, 2014
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College Station, Texas
Parrots
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Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
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Awww, Julie, Mink's a little girl! Oh my, she's so outnumbered! I'm happy she's healthy.

I have confidence, I know you will find a way to help Twigs with his overeating. Gypsy understands Twigs and sends lots of love.

Oh that's right! Gypsy can surely understand his woes! She and Twigs can get support from one another :D
 

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