Budgie droppings increasingly off... can't see vet!

Hello bird lovers! I am feeling very upset this morning..
My two sweet budgies (a bit over a year old) have been having off-and-on signs of polyuria and other strange dropping patterns for the past month. Since they still sing (and scream) constantly, fly perfectly, play with toys, eat and drink well (fed on a blend diet of Zupreem Natural Pellets for small birds and Zupreem Smart Selects pellet/seed mix), and sometimes have normal droppings, I was not too concerned. However, this morning I looked closely at their bedding and noticed almost every dropping is malformed in some way.

Due to Covid-19, vets nearby (closest is about an hour away) will not accept new patients, and of course, I am low on money. I do not know what to do.


I suspect these strange droppings are due to a blockage, perhaps from swallowing bits of toys.. or even bits of my wall nibbled before I realized and stopped them :smile033: They are so wild!


Here are the cuties (both finishing up a bit of molting)
Boggle and Jinxit





and their droppings... the one section with an incredible amount of water surrounding really made me panic! I have never seen so much..








Does anyone have advice for this difficult situation?

I would try to see if you could get accepted anyway-- or take them to an emergency vet if it has an avian specialist and if you think it could be serious--it will cost more (note:ER vets w/ avian specialists are few and far between).
Any diet changes or new stresses?

How are their eating/drinking/behavior patterns? Poop is often the first indicator, so you are very smart to pay attention to it, as bird DO hide illness..If you notice other symptoms, things have often progressed significantly.

If they both are doing it, it makes me think its bacterial/viral (although a blockage in both is possible)...but when housed together, you would have to observe to know who did what. An egg-bound female can strain and produce larger droppings-- hard to tell from the picture.

I have one more clinic I will call on Monday, though I fear they will be unwilling to take me like the others I suppose when the other clinics reopen on Monday I could beg for them to at least somehow let me send a sample to them for testing...

I fear I hardly have enough money to spend on a regular visit during this pandemic, so an ER visit seems unthinkable. Especially since they are otherwise acting as if they feel so well!



No new diet, nor stresses. We have our normal little routine and they seem so happy... they seem to eat, drink, and play as regularly as ever. I am grateful for this, but I am dreading that they will soon be visibly suffering and I will feel.. powerless.
I wish I would have taken them to a vet long before for a wellness check up, or at least as soon as I saw something was amiss with their droppings, before the pandemic hit full force.

Truly horrible timing, little chickens!
*sigh* They've never even been in the car since being brought home. I hope a vet visit, if I ever get one, won't stress them to the point of accelerated sickness.

Hopefully my foolishness could inspire others to do these things before it is too late.


Excuse my venty-ness, this is just breaking my heart!



More often than not now, the droppings are either appearing shriveled and blackish or far too watery, but no overly-large ones I don't think. I try to switch up their layout every month or two and steer clear of any nesting-type areas in hopes my girl doesn't get too hormonal.

Each definitely are producing unusual poos, though, so it does sound likely to be bacterial/viral. They both certainly chew everything like maniacs! I wouldn't doubt they are both ingesting more bits of toys than they should..



Thank you for the reply, friend.

Several areas and States in North America are limiting visits to one's Avian Vets...

** That said, none of our Avian Vets are being stopped from receiving emails with photos for them to review. In addition, their phones are working as well.


NOTE To All: During this crazy time our Avian Vets are available, especially for their active clients! If you have a concern, they are there for us!!!