Respiratory infection?

erlabella · Jan 31, 2018

I think there’s something wrong with my budgie..

He “bobs” his tail a lot (along with his breathing) and i’ve read it’s a symptom of respiratory infection. He acts normal and seems very healthy, but he whines a lot. Especially when somethings wrong ( for example when he wants to go to sleep, or when he does not want human contact) Sometimes he’ll stand all puffed up with his right foot up and close his eyes, and it looks like he has trouble breathing. (His whole body moves when he’s breathing) His cage is nowhere near any deadly fumes, and there’s no discharge from his eyes nor nose. No wheezing sound either, and his poops look normal. Could it also just be normal?

Erlabella

BirdMama11 · Jan 31, 2018

Hmm...poor thing. Have you changed his diet recently? If you abruptly change their diet they can become sick. Are there others in the cage with him? I had a problem similar to this, and it was because one of my birds was bullying him out of eating and drinking, and the solution was putting him in a cage by himself. If this keeps up, I would take him to an avian vet. Best of luck for you and your little guy

FlyBirdiesFly · Jan 31, 2018

I would schedule an appointment with your avian vet. Once a bird shows symptoms, they are usually sicker than you think! Birds are masters at hiding illnesses, and if you suspect something’s wrong, you should take your bird to the vet before the illness progresses.

Scott · Feb 1, 2018

Welcome to the forums, Erlabella!

The symptoms do not appear normal and may be the result of a respiratory infection. Such illnesses rarely clear by themselves. Please take your bird to a certified avian vet as soon as possible. Early treatment reduces the risk of a life-threatening event.

Allee · Feb 1, 2018

I agree with Scott, your budgie's symptoms sound serious. A visit to a CAV could change the outcome and provide peace of mind. Best of luck, please keep us posted.

erlabella · Feb 1, 2018

Thank you

I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do

there are no avian vets nearby

his diet has been the same since I got him. He has shown this symptom since then. (A few months) As I mentioned, there’s nothing else wrong and he seems healthy. I’m worried this is the beginning of respiratory infection

It could also mean that he’s nervous/afraid. He is a very cautious bird. Anyways, thank you for your answers. I’ll keep you updated

Scott · Feb 1, 2018

erlabella said:
Thank you

I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do there are no avian vets nearby his diet has been the same since I got him. He has shown this symptom since then. (A few months) As I mentioned, there’s nothing else wrong and he seems healthy. I’m worried this is the beginning of respiratory infection It could also mean that he’s nervous/afraid. He is a very cautious bird. Anyways, thank you for your answers. I’ll keep you updated

I notice you are from the Faroe Islands! Your only choice may be a traditional veterinarian who may have some knowledge and skills with birds. Perhaps you can locate a vet who has avian practice contacts in Denmark? There is overlap between antibiotics commonly used with mammals.

Found this, but of course cannot translate: Djóralæknatænastan - Faroese Veterinary Service
Avian vets in Denmark: Member Search Results - Association of Avian Veterinarians
Perhaps they are available for consultation due to your remote location?

erlabella · Feb 3, 2018

Thank you

I’ll definitely go check it out. Seems like you know about the Faroe Islands haha. Very surprising since almost no one knows it

I’ve also read about giving sick birds glucose+ warm water. Would it help against respitory infection?

erlabella · Feb 15, 2018

I’ve contacted the local vet and they said they could try to help him

I’m going tomorrow. I’ll keep you updated.

Also, I’ve just noticed him making very faint wheezing when he breaths. I can only hear it if put my ear close to him. I don’t know how long he has been doing this, since it’s difficult to hear. I hope they are able to give him treatment for respiratory infection.

reeb · Feb 15, 2018

Ah I just saw this thread - my male budgie, Opal, is recovering from a respiratory infection, so I understand! He went to the vet for his deworming and parasite treatment and was prescribed antibiotics. He’s doing much better already! Good luck! I’m sure your little guy will be just fine.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Teddscau · Feb 15, 2018

Tail-bobbing is never a good sign. Make sure the vet listens to his BACK with the stethoscope, since that's where the heart and lungs are. It could be respiratory (i.e., you need antibiotics or antifungals; for bacterial, go with Baytril at 0.01mL for every 10g of bird), could be air sac mites, could be a tumour, or it could be a genetic defect, like with Ju. Ju's tail-bobbed ever since he was little, likely due to poor genetics.

erlabella · Feb 16, 2018

Update:

I just got back from the vet. She gave him some antibiotics (something called baytril I think) and told me I had to give my bird one drop of it everyday, for 5-7 days

reeb · Feb 16, 2018

erlabella said:
Update:

I just got back from the vet. She gave him some antibiotics (something called baytril I think) and told me I had to give my bird one drop of it everyday, for 5-7 days

Good luck! I am sure he will be absolutely fine. You’re a great owner for being so observant and caring.

smbrds · Feb 16, 2018

I'm glad she was able to get vet care. You're doing a great job taking care of her. Thanks for updating and may she feel better!

Scott · Feb 16, 2018

Glad you found an available vet! Baytril is a broad spectrum antibiotic, but without lab tests you won't know the specific organism. If this doesn't work, and the symptoms remain, a different med may be required.

I noticed your location and had to Google. Faroe Islands look absolutely beautiful!!

erlabella · Feb 20, 2018

Thank you for your support everyone

When will I see improvements? I’ve been giving him antibiotics for 5 days now and he’s doing pretty much the same. He’s a lot calmer now and doesn’t whine as much as he used to. His wheezing has also decreased. He still bobs his tail a lot. I’m sure it will take some time for him to recover. How long will it last? Weeks or months? I have two budgies and I’ve seperated them since he’s sick, and now they’re very lonely.

Scott · Feb 20, 2018

I would expect to see noticeable improvement after 5 days of antibiotics treatment. It is possible Baytril is not as effective for whatever organism is at work. If it is at least somewhat helpful, time plus a good immune system will hopefully result in a cure. You might approach the vet to see what other antibiotics are in the formulary, but not knowing the offending orgamism will require trial and error.

erlabella · Mar 3, 2018

So I went to the vet february 16th and I gave him baytril for 7 days in a row and I’m still not seeing any improvements. He still bobs his tail, whines and wheezes. Should I take him to the vet again? On the last visit to the vet she never really diagnosed him... maybe I could ask her to.

LordTriggs · Mar 5, 2018

yes go back, the meds aren't working so clearly whatever he has isn't being effected by the Baytril

Make sure a gram stain is done at minimum so they can identify what the little guy has

erlabella · Apr 21, 2018

Update:

Si I’ve been to the vet several times now with my sick budgie, and told her that the antibiotics weren’t working. She came to the conclusion that my budgie has some sort of fungi. I was prescribed medicine to treat his fungi. I’ll have to give him 2 drops per day for 30 days. The medicine is called itrafungol and is used for treating cats. His symptoms have already almost completely vanished. No wheezing, tail-bob etc. But he doesn’t seem okay. He’s very lethargic, quiet, won’t eat, sits mostly in one spot with his feathers puffed and eyes closed. I was aware of possible side effects like diarrhea, but not anything like this. Should I go to the vet again or are these normal side effects of the medicine?

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