advice for having a sick bird / where to go next?

[haylo]

Benji, one of my budgies, had been to the vet but I'm just looking for any advice about him right now. They don't really know what's going on with him, I brought him in because he hasn't been eating as much / not very timely (i.e he mostly eats at night) and his crop looked large often / as if it wasn't emptying fully.

They gave him the same medication he had back in october, a tiny dosage of sulfameth/trimeth and the vet suggested I put him on a multivitamin if he's this prone to illness. He presented similar issues (and some throwing up,) back in october, and then seemed to improve but his crop would still appear the same way.

Right now though, somehow, after the vet (its been two days), he seems worse? I've been working on getting better at giving him the meds -- but either way, he just seems.. worse. He'll still talk, but not as often as my boy usually does. I just gave him the heat lamp because he's been all puffed up, which he seems to like. He didn't eat yesterday either, which throws me off. Despite the crop stuff, he HAS been eating fine. He hasn't lost weight, poops have looked normal. If he doesn't today I have to take him somewhere.

Benji is blind, which also for me makes some of this harder. He's prone to just being "relaxed" and puffed often. He eats slightly oddly so I don't find him waiting until later to eat always out of the ordinary. But maybe it is? I almost never see him drink so it's hard for me to know. I'm worried sometimes I could end up writing off symptoms of illness as a side effect of his lack of sight, and his vet won't always acknoledge this.

I have two vets in my area, his regular avian vet, and one emergency I've never been to that has an avian vet. I'm not against taking him there but I just can't figure what would be wrong they hadn't tried to fix / why he would seem worse post-vet. And I don't really want to force him through another vet appt, if he doesn't need it...

Other than his crop seeming large, generally, he seems fine, and has since october. I got worried this time because it still seemed large, and he had regurgitated some food. It is not a yeast infection ,they did check. - They also mentioned it could be hormonal. I just am kind of at a loss for how to better help him / how serious this is or isnt supposed to be? Vet seemed both worried and not worried.

If anyone has illness-prone birds or any experience with something like a crop not emptying, I'd appreciate literally any / all advice. Or just some 'get well soons' for my little guy. TIA

TL/DR: budgie has now been to our avian vet twice , once recently and once in october because his crop seemed to not be emptying? has seemed fine otherwise. is on sulfameth, and was in october. otherwise has seemed fine but after vet appt two days ago seems worse?

 

[Jcas60]

Aww poor Benji . My go- to for crop issues in my poultry ( these being a fairly common problem in poultry ) is organic apple cider vinegar and plain unsweetened kefir. This almost always brings improvement. I’ve only had one budgie with crop issues and I’m pretty sure that was a yeast infection ( sour crop) but the kefir worked wonders for her! Two days and she was back to 100%.

The dosage of these for a budgie is basically one tiny drop! I don’t know how you would get it into Benji. My little budgie would still eat her treats ( veggies) so I coated some peas and corn with kefir and that worked well. Crop motility can decrease in old or ill birds or in those who have had their crop stretched out by previous issues ( particularly an impacted crop). So Benji could be dealing with that, poor little guy

 

[haylo]

Aww poor Benji . My go- to for crop issues in my poultry ( these being a fairly common problem in poultry ) is organic apple cider vinegar and plain unsweetened kefir. This almost always brings improvement. I’ve only had one budgie with crop issues and I’m pretty sure that was a yeast infection ( sour crop) but the kefir worked wonders for her! Two days and she was back to 100%.

The dosage of these for a budgie is basically one tiny drop! I don’t know how you would get it into Benji. My little budgie would still eat her treats ( veggies) so I coated some peas and corn with kefir and that worked well. Crop motility can decrease in old or ill birds or in those who have had their crop stretched out by previous issues ( particularly an impacted crop). So Benji could be dealing with that, poor little guy

Aw maybe. I don't know whats up with him, exactly. I tried apple cider with him a long time ago (dont recall why at the time) and it did seem to work out. I put it in his water, actually. Some people aren't fans of that but I've never had an issue - maybe mine just aren't picky about their water? I always made sure and he would drink.

They checked for a yeast infection and found nothing, which kind of surprised me as that was my first guess too. I might try some of it with him again but right now I'm waiting to see if he eats tonight.

crossing my fingers - otherwise someone gets another vet trip tomorrow
Thank you for the kind words and advice!

edit / update for anyone reading along:
i took him out for a bit to have a little sit-down time. i try and do this with him occasionally. eventually, i decided to try some millet with him and was excited to see him eagerly eat for a long time. it's not a replacement for his normal food, but it was great to see him eat. i gave him his second-of-the-day dose of sufameth on his treat instead of giving it to him orally, and he took it well - ate it all at least. I don't think I can use this long-term but I'm going to see how it goes. Honestly, he seemed to get more this way then when I give it to him orally. he's back basking under his heat lamp for now, but yeah. nice to see him eat! gives me some faith maybe he just needs some time.
edit 2/2 (sorry lol): he's eating right now!(from his bowl lol) it's technically his bed time, but he has a habit of doing this. eating when its lights out. would i prefer he ate during the day / is this odd? yes. is it better than him not? 100%. just some good news

 

[osklvste66]

No it is not odd eating at lights out. My CAG has been doing it since I got her at about 3.5 months old. She won't start eating til lights are out. Her feeding box is her favorite sleeping perch. She turns around grabs a bite, gets comfy, nibbles and repeats. I asked my avian vet. He said he didn't have the time to major in avian psychology. Yes she will eat during the day. I don't know if it's me or the fact she's staying in one place. She seems to eat more at lights out.

 

[haylo]

No it is not odd eating at lights out. My CAG has been doing it since I got her at about 3.5 months old. She won't start eating til lights are out. Her feeding box is her favorite sleeping perch. She turns around grabs a bite, gets comfy, nibbles and repeats. I asked my avian vet. He said he didn't have the time to major in avian psychology. Yes she will eat during the day. I don't know if it's me or the fact she's staying in one place. She seems to eat more at lights out.

Interesting! Nice to know it's something other birds do too. He's actually eating right now, so I'm sure some of it is his sleep schedule - but some is his personality I'm betting. I don't blame them, honestly, sounds like a nice routine. Thank you

 

[Ldy_BlueBird]

I hate to say it, but have you (the vet) ruled out Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD)? It’s incredibly prevalent, researchers estimate more than 40% of pet birds have it and it’s notoriously difficult to definitively diagnose because it can show up in so many different ways. Weird thing is birds can test positive for the antibodies but never become symptomatic and some birds who show all the symptoms won’t test positive without an invasive biopsy.

It’s worth looking into.

 

[haylo]

I hate to say it, but have you (the vet) ruled out Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD)? It’s incredibly prevalent, researchers estimate more than 40% of pet birds have it and it’s notoriously difficult to definitively diagnose because it can show up in so many different ways. Weird thing is birds can test positive for the antibodies but never become symptomatic and some birds who show all the symptoms won’t test positive without an invasive biopsy.

It’s worth looking into.

I haven't , and the vet seemingly (?) hasn't either.
I mentioned in the OG post I like his vet, but sometimes I wish they would just.. get to it. They haven't done a lot of diagnostic beyond checking for yeast and a physical exam for him, and its kind of getting to the point I'm not sure what to think.

I have to call them today, (he's done with his meds), so if I get the vet directly I might ask - I actually didn't know what it was but last week when I was looking around the forum I read about it for a while, and I am worried that it's plausible. If he does have PDD, the symptoms, at least right now, are pretty minor I suppose. I'll call them today to see their opinion on if it's worth taking him back to his vet or not basically. - because if it WAS PDD I would at least want to know sooner than later.

He's still got a full looking crop often, but, honestly, he has never seemed unhealthy besides that. -Normal weight, when he's not on antibiotics, eats daily, drinks, etc. - It's like he just.. digests slowly, but he often seems to digest fully eventually. It's weird to say the least.

I appreciate you mentioning it though, because up until a few days I simply didn't know about so genuinley, thank you.

//it's been like 10 minutes, but before I went to the call them I went to look at him and for seemingly the first time? Pretty sure there's undigested seeds in his droppings, so I'm thinking he'll end up back at the vet at this rate. just hoping it's a more.. conclusive experience this time for him.. <3

 

[haylo]

just wanted to update, or incase anyone is reading and curious - he saw the vet at about 9:30 today. She took a gram smear and some kind of PCR swab , which she ended up doing a panel to check for various things using the PCR test (-- this being after I asked if we could test for PDD and she said she could add it to the swab.) I was told I'd probably get a call in about a week about what they find, and if nothing is positive, basically, he needs xrays and blood tests. For now it's been suggested he eats mostly softer foods that don't have to go through his digestion as much.

I'm worried he WON'T eat said softer foods, but for now i have a mix of baby food and basically chick / hand feeding formula to offer him, which I'm hoping will eventually work out for him. He's eaten baby food in the past as a way of getting his veggies, so we'll see. right now he's been sitting fairly puffy and quiet honestly, he just seems so.. done. I feel terrible, but this is where we're at. I'm hoping for something conclusive in the next week - though I'm supposed to be taking a road trip, and I'm worried / feel horrible that I might leave him while he's like this. I'm really stressing over what to do, but I'm going to see how the next 24 hrs go.

Mostly, I need him to eat the wet food - and hopefully he will. He usually has been eating at night, so I've got like 3 1/2 more hours to wait.
Crossing my fingers. Thanks for all the input thus far. ❤

 

[kme33882]

Just know if things go downhill, and your parrot becomes fluffed up, and looks gravely ill to use a heat source as parrots don’t retain heat when they are ill. I made a homemade parrot incubator. Also have formula on hand that could work in a pinch. Sometimes finding ones that a parrot will accept takes several try’s from different brands. Also when parrots get sick enough they may have difficulty perching. Moving down perches can prevent further injury is important. I hope something in here helps you, and that your parrot recovers.

 

[haylo]

Just know if things go downhill, and your parrot becomes fluffed up, and looks gravely ill to use a heat source as parrots don’t retain heat when they are ill. I made a homemade parrot incubator. Also have formula on hand that could work in a pinch. Sometimes finding ones that a parrot will accept takes several try’s from different brands. Also when parrots get sick enough they may have difficulty perching. Moving down perches can prevent further injury is important. I hope something in here helps you, and that your parrot recovers.

thank you. i think his cage is around 80~something at the moment, i keep a heat lamp around for him but somedays it has seemed to almost make him more drowsy. Maybe that's to be expected.

I'm lucky that none of his cage is very high because he can't see , so I try not to change much.

I'm trying I think "exact" from kaytee right now for a formula, but i also am hoping to try some baby food w/him because he's eaten it before. i'm mostly hoping he takes it tomorrow...or i guess we go to an emergency vet, i dont know.

thank you for the advice + kind words

 

[haylo]

just going to keep updating here, not sure what else to do... Benji almost seemed like he might eat something this morning (took some millet+ SOME baby food) - and procceeded to have some kind of an episode? my theory is a seizure currently. Unfortunately just about every avian vet in my area is out of town or office today, but I'm taking him to an emergency vet an hour away. he's sitting sleepily, in a quiet room atm, and seems fine, but i cant let this continue or risk it happening again - i feel terrible for him, but this is all I know to do for him.
thanks again for everything on this thread thus far <3

edit 1/?
He's been at an emergency pet hospital since about 2pm yesterday. Tests came back - no PDD it seems, Avian gastric yeast.

I'm thrilled it's treatable and to have an answer, ...but he's been on oxygen since midnight last night and has only gone downhill even at the hospital (and it's a shame, because they've been great in every way.) I'm waiting for them to call back, but they know we got his results back and I'm waiting to hear also about his blood work, though at this point probably nothing to hear.

Im sure they could treat him for the AGY , I'm just worried he's already too weak. He's falling off perches, he's been on oxygen support...
I'm terrified I have to decide whether or not to let him go. Not to mention that AGY is known for coming back and being highly contagious, and i have two others.

Basically waiting to get another call from the vet or go to visit him later tonight.

i wish i had better news <3 benji is the bestest boy.

edit 2/?

Finally got a phone call. They're mostly worried he won't eat if he comes home, but they also told me (which I did not know) most of his onset respiratory and neurological symptoms are likely unrelated to the AGY.
I'm distraught but even when I found out he was blind I worried he was just going to be prone to issues - and I really don't want to draw out his illness. We're picking him up later, w/ antifungal meds, and i'm going to keep him safe and warm and comfortable at home and let what happens next happen. I hope he bounces back and the meds help, but honestly, I know that's only optimism talking.

If the neurological + breathing issues are unrelated and seemingly so far undiagnosable, I really just want him to be home if this is it. I never wanted to write this update but here we are. sending lots of love, please say a hello and i love you to your feathered friends for me.

edit 3/? (this is really more for me than anything else atp)

Benji came home last night, with medicine for the AGY. The vet tech we saw who talked about the meds n discharged him seemed much calmer than I was. We get to make an appt to have him rechecked in two weeks. Honestly... I'm wondering if I was more scared than I had to be at first glance. He's not perfect, obv, the boy is sick, but he seems OK. He came home last night and when brought into the room w/ my other two they chatted immediately. He put up a fight when the vet tech picked him up, etc. He's trying to (and succeeding) at talking back to them now. Even in his sleepy little state. They left a sprig of millet for him last night in his carrier and -- to my surprise, honestly, he ate the entire thing before I went to give him his night dose last night. He's back in his cage, w/ low perches and food offered in a few different ways. His droppings look more normal, I'm just hoping it stays that way so far.

He's just kind of sitting right now. I hope he's happy to be home. <3

edit 4/? - this is just for me for real now, or ig if anyone ever stumbles upon it.
He's now been home exactly a week today, since his first full day back. He has gained weight according ot my scale (and maintained about 38-40g). When he was taken to the ER he had dropped to 35 in almost a day from 42. So that's very exciting. He's continued to eat, albiet he doesn't seem to trust his food dish anymore. But he's been eating off of a plate I've given to him, and honestly, seems to eat off that easier than his old dish. When I inevitably have to redo his cage, my boy is getting his own plate! Bowl is probably getting throwing out honestly, most of his stuff I've had to because I really don't want him to get infected again. Right now I've been thinking of how to disinfect, what to keep, what not to, etc.
He's got a spirit like I've never seen though. He's yes, still napping, but has also been moving, talking, etc. like I haven't seen in honestly longer than I even realized. I'm really hopeful for him, though he's get his halfway recheck in a week, so time will tell.
Thanks for reading along if you are. Much love, from me, Benji, and his brothers.

edit 5?
- kind of my worst fears, but I think Bailey (my other budgie) has contracted it. Whether he was exposed earlier this month, or before that, I don't know. I'm hoping to get him an appointment in the next couple of days, and I presume he'll end up on Amp B as well. Either its much earlier, or he's just doing much better, but he's still fairly active, talking, etc, even his droppings don't look horrible. Only some have shown undgiested seeds. I'm devastated for him, but I'd prefer to see him like this at least than crashing like Benj did. I'm hoping he'll improve as effectively as benji has.

on another note, i basically will be purging everything the birds have ever touched except for their cages. good times, really. wish me luck i guess. (BUT! despite that it's going to be SO expensive i might just shed a tear, .... i will never pass up the opportunity to buy them a bunch of new stuff. i'm sad they can't keep their old stuff, but i can replace a few of their favs (and intend to), and aside from that, new stuff for the B' boys. i hope when they come out the other side of being sick, and miserable, they eventually are as excited as i am maybe haha. i really do want the best for them.)
thanks for reading! - i am happy to report benji broke 41 grams yesterday, he's back to 40 today but he's been up there consistently. his crop looks just about normal. i really am surprised , but i guess never underestimate your birds. they fight tooth and nail, and i couldn't be prouder.

edit 6/?

- Bailey has been tested, waiting on results. His test was just a day prior to Benji's recheck, which came back yesterday morning. My boy is considered NEGATIVE for AGY!! He has two weeks left of his AMP b, but as long as he doesn't backslide / shows no lasting symptoms (and so far, he's not) - he is DONE. I'm still disinfecting, and everything, because I really would like to ensure he's cleared it, and him and Bailey aren't able to have any contact / I'm doing a lot of handwashing lol. But I'm SO happy for him.

He's been a pretty consistent weight, and while his gastrointestinal system has still been slower than say a 100% healthy bird, I described the minimal slowness he's seemed to still experience and the vet said he shouldn't need to come back unless he shows other symptoms anew.

So that's the scoop on Benji. If for some reason, you've read this far or this much (for no apparent reason), thank you for sticking with me and the guys - and if you're looking for answers for your own feathered friends, I wish you lots of luck.]

edit 7/?

Benji's negative is still such great news. He's continued to do his thing, just about a week left on the amp b.
Bailey ALSO tested negative!! Which is very excited, but he's still showing symptoms, so I've reached out to the hospital Benji was at (not gonna lie, I will be getting a new regular vet after this. She has a DVM and specializes in exotics, but as I DID NOT know, which is entirely my fault, she's not a DABVP, the hospital has two and is easy to email, so, I emailed. Our vet is very sweet, but esp. after Benji's fiasco, I'm just going to be looking around for my options. Anyway!!) I'm glad he was negtive, and he hasn't lost any weight, which is great, but he's not as energetic as he could be, and I would still like another opinion or to just broadley treat him if such a thing is possible / non-harmful enough. So we will see.
But that's the latest on the guys. Much love, from them and I!

edit 8/8, hopefully.
it's been almost a month or two since I last updated, and just wanted to say that both are doing great. Benji has been off meds for almost a full month soon and has been killing it. Eating, good droppings, etc. etc. - his digestion is still slow, but he's been emptying overnight perfectly well. for how long i suspect he had AGY sort of "dormantly", he's doing perfectly well. (knock on wood. photo of the boy himself is below, taken just today, 8/31

Bailey is a longer story, but the short is that he's doing pretty well right now. Beaker (my other bird) has ofc been consistently great.
So thanks for reading, if you're reading b/c youre in a similar situation: -go to the right vets, -you got this. Lots of love from me and the guys.!