I'm worried about Percy :(

MomtoPercy

MomtoPercy

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Percy, a 5yo BFA & Jack, a 8yo Budgie
Perhaps I'm just paranoid but something is up with my boy. He went to bed as normal but wouldn't settle. I heard him shuffling every so often and it sounded like he was shaking his tail. Eventually, I couldn't stand wondering and fetched him from his cage. He was drowzy but not asleep. He came to me readily and snuggled into my neck (something he never does when he's alert and about). Then he did this 'twitch' thing with his wings - this is the sound I've been hearing. He seems fine otherwise but every so often he twitches his wings.

What could it be? He was fine earlier today.

Could it be a pin feather bothering him? He was VERY happy when I came home today and flapped around like crazy on his gym until I picked him up. He really flapped his wings very hard (remember he can't fly because of the broken wing). Could it be that in his wild flapping he upset a pin feather? If so, why are both wings twitching?

He's not breathing differently, just makes this almost inperceptable kirring sound. I had my ear right up next to his head and the sound is coming from his throat (he is making the sound) it is not like a respitory sound.

Please give me some ideas. I will never be able to sleep tonight unless I know he is ok! Fortunately, he has an app with the vet for a nail clip tomorrow but I can't bear to hear him shuffling around like this. Please help!!
 
I'm so glad you already had an appointment. Gosh, I wouldn't know. Sounds like something is just irritating or bothering him a bit. I hope that's all it is. I know how unsettling it is when we see something but don't know what it is! Good luck. I can't wait to hear the vet say that it's really nothing!:) hang in there!
 
Oh gosh....I've read on here....somewhere....about the twitching of wings....wish I could remember....

it means something, I just can't remember....maybe we should try searching 'twitch' and see what comes up? I know it was with the bigger parrots as well, maybe an amazon, or AG....I hate it when the brain fails, lol.

I'm sure your relieved that you have a appt. coming up....perfect timing!...keep us updated, lets hope it's something simple......or nothing.....
 
Sounds like the start of a hard molt to me...

My red lored amazon drives me NUTS when she is molting tailfeathers...

She's miserable, fidgety, wing flips, can't sit still, can't seem to stop preening, but can't get her feathers comfortable either, etc.

Increased bathing during this time usually helps.

All of mine are molting at the moment. In the past two days, I have noticed an increased number of feathers all over the floor.
 
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Birdman, he's BEEN molting for quite a while now. Lost loads of feathers, big ones too (wing and tail). He has lots of little pins but I seldom see big pins when the big feathers grow. Does this tell you anything?

And, what exactly do people mean when they say 'hard molt'?
 
I know if Bundii has a tail or wing feather ready to come out and it is nighttime she does take a while to settle. It is like she cannot get comfortable. Usually by the next morning, she will get up and move about a bit and the feather will come out. She then seems happy until the next big feather. This is. It always the case. I have noticed when she is restless it is 95% of the time a feather about to come out.
 
MomtoPercy said:
Birdman, he's BEEN molting for quite a while now. Lost loads of feathers, big ones too (wing and tail). He has lots of little pins but I seldom see big pins when the big feathers grow. Does this tell you anything?

And, what exactly do people mean when they say 'hard molt'?
Click to expand...

Actually tells me pretty much everything I need to know...

I'll explain it to you this way.

A "soft" or "regular" molt is where the bird just drops a few feathers here or there, and those are replaced with pinnies... A "hard" molt is where the bird drops loads of feathers all at once, and has new pinnies coming in all over the place...

The new pinnies are the source of the twitching, and irritation. The bird is uncomfortable with all the new pinnies coming in. Move wrong, and it hurts, plus it itches...

For my Sallybird, it's what I call "THE AMAZON DANCE OF THE ITCHY BUTT FEATHERS!" Drives me up the wall for about a week! When she's going off like that, I literally pick her up, and walk her over to the sink, and stick her tail under the water, which seems to calm her down quite a bit.

So, I still say it sounds like a particularly hard molt... increase the bathing. If there is a spot he's picking at, put some 100% pure aloe on the skin with your fingertip in that spot...
 
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Michelle, I am hoping that Percy is fine - what Birdman666 said makes a lot of sense.
I am glad that he is going to the vet tomorrow so you can make sure everything is okay. Sending huge hugs to you and Percy:)
 
OK, so we've been to the vet. Vet said Birdman is right on the money - discomfort relating to molting big feathers :). Thanks Birdman! He also recommended baths (not mistings like I do now) but I'm not sure if I can convince my boy to that! He loves his mistings but only on his terms. I offer him a mist at least every second day not that it is SO very hot here and he's molting but he doesn't always want to. I will just keep trying :)

Anyway, it then came time for the nail clip! :eek: I was so nervous about it, I cried and had to leave the room :( I was so afraid Percy would be hurt or scared or traumatised! The vet was very clever and quickly clipped his nails while I was out of the room, crying like a stupid baby ;). When I went back in, it was all done and Percy was ever so happy to see his mommy :D

The vet complimented me on Percy's condition and said, now that he's growing new feathers, he (vet) can see the difference in his diet and care he's receiving since I adopted him. He said he wished more bird owners would be so 'caring and meticulous' with their birds (even if it involves crying over something as routine as nail clipping!) Well, I tell you, my chest was so puffed out, I could hardly get out the door! LOL!!

He gave Percy a really good clip and now I can just maintain the nails and there's no need to go cry in the vet's office again! He was a bit off balance with the short nails for a while but adapted quite quickly. AND it is a joy to hold him now without those needles boring into my fingers!

Thanks for the support everyone!
 
Oh Michelle, that is fantastic news! I am so happy that Percy is okay:) And you deserve the vet's praise - it's nice to have a pro tell you you are doing a great job!
 
Have you tried changing the temp of the water you mist him with? I noticed with my two they enjoyed it much more when i used water cold from the fridge! Barry always loved the hose then when i got a spray bottle he seemed to be a bit "meh" about it. It took a little thinking before i realised the temp of the hose water is much cooler than the room temp water i had been using!
 
Mmmm....interesting! I always use room temp or slightly warmer water. I will try colder water tomorrow!
 
MomtoPercy said:
Mmmm....interesting! I always use room temp or slightly warmer water. I will try colder water tomorrow!
Click to expand...

It's the craziest thing, my sennie will only bathe in cold water (when I can convince her to bathe)
 
Great job Michelle!! Yay :D I'm so glad that it was only the molt!

Is it Michele with one "l" or two? :o
 
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