My English budgie, Simon, (probably mixed with wild type/American) seemed "off" this week. He was moving his beak up and down (opening and closing) persistently, as if chewing something, and he seemed bloated somehow, and a little puffed up. Of the 3 budgies in one flight cage (Simon, Sterling and Phantom), Simon is the craziest singer, always greeting the day with song, but this week he was doing less singing and more calling. That worried me enough that I took him to an avian vet on Wednesday, where they worked the little guy up with X-rays, bloodwork, and a fecal exam for megabacteria (gastric yeast). We didn't really find a definite diagnosis yet but at least there aren't any glaring problems. I worry so much about cancer in English budgies especially. He got some fluids, and we went home with antibiotics and calcium supplement (his calcium was a little low).
Best epiphany of the day -- he's OBESE! It's not the cause of his being off, but I almost fell over - so funny. Too many Avicakes, which the staff compared to eating carrot cake for the carrots. They have pellets and fresh food too, but aren't eating the pellets (Harrison's) as well as they should, so I bought some Zupreem flavored pellets for now.
He's in a separate little cage in the bedroom now and we'll follow up with the avian vet if he isn't brighter and happier in a week or so. Simon is the budgie I was going to pair with my new baby in quarantine, Buckaroo. They convinced me to bring Bucky in so we could rule out yucky viruses and not just rely on quarantine, before letting him join Simon.
That's all the news for now! just wanted to share our experience.
Last edited by Ilana; 08-14-2015 at 10:07 PM.
Reason: Added Simon's name.
Thank you for the update on Simon.
I'm so glad you took him in to have a full checkup -- you are a great Budgie-Mom!
Avi-Cakes = Carrot Cake I love the analogy.
I know with your attention Simon will soon be feeling more himself again and I'll be looking forward to updates on his condition in this thread in the days to come.
Hugs and Kisses to Simon from the FaeryBee Flock!
xoxoxo
I hope Simon is not on a strict diet LOL.
Have you tried the smaller finch and canary sized pellets these are easily eaten also try some crumbles and a varied greens and a little carrot
Have you tried some probiotics for Simon? Apple Cider Vinegar is a natural Probiotic but it must have Mother in it. Hope he is singing away once more soon.
I have a part english budgie too and he sits for ages doing this - I call it "beaking". After a check up, he is healthy as an ox (if too heavy to fly, poor little mixed breed budgie!), but the vet said he was just rearranging his crop. Yours might be the same? Glad you got him checked out!
Thank you for all the support and comments. Simon finished his antibiotics and calcium supplement, and was returned to the flock with Sterling and Phantom. He's singing, but still clearly the third wheel. He seems better, but still not 100%. The plan was to do a barium series (to see if there's any GI obstruction or narrowing) but he's eating well and passing normal looking droppings. At this point I'm watching him closely, feeding them fresh foods and a mix of Harrisons and Zupreem pellets, and just one little avicake per budgie per day
At the end of next week new little Buckaroo's going to be ready to be moved into a flight cage and introduced to Simon, so the two of them will be separated from Sterling and Phantom and, I hope, get to know each other and hang out.
State: 
Simon is under the weather.
I love the analogy. 
LOL. 
