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sick budgie? first time bird owner

1061 Views 14 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  FaeryBee, 
cyscottch
Hi there, my budgie has been doing this thing for a while now where she will move her beak as if chirping or singing but with not a single sound. Appetite is ok, sometimes she'll concurrently grind her beak or stretch her wings or neck.

I was wondering if i should take her to the vet after reading more threads and learning this may be a sign of respiratory infection-- I have heard her sneeze a few times this week.

I've personally never taken her to the vet before and she's not hand trained--She's got some trauma around hands it seems :( I'm concerned that the stress of the vet trip might be too much for her.

Any advice appreciated, I'm kind of at a loss and want her to get better!
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Cody
There is a movement that you will see a budgie do when they are adjusting the crop, the mouth opens a few times and the necks stretches, this is normal, could that be what your bird is doing? When she sneezes is there any discharge or are the feathers above her cere discolored?
Watch the bird in this video, is this what you are seeing in your bird?
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cyscottch
Cody said:
There is a movement that you will see a budgie do when they are adjusting the crop, the mouth opens a few times and the necks stretches, this is normal, could that be what your bird is doing? When she sneezes is there any discharge or are the feathers above her cere discolored?
Click to expand...
thank you for replying so fast! I was thinking she could just be adjusting, but she keeps doing it for up to 30 seconds at a time... No discharge or discoloration that I can see. Could it be dust or particles in the air bothering her?
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Cody
Look at this video, is this what she's doing
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cyscottch
Cody said:
Look at this video, is this what she's doing
Click to expand...
She does sometimes do this as well. But the behavior I just observed was her beak was moving as if she was chirping and singing like normal but no sound.
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Cody
Sometimes you will see the beak moving when they are nervous, are you able to post a video of the behavior?
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cyscottch
I will take a video and post next time i see it happen, thank you so much for your help.
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FaeryBee
Hi, Welcome to Talk Budgies!

Cody has given you excellent advice and information.

The purpose of this forum is to promote the BEST PRACTICES in the care of budgies for their optimal Health and Well-Being
Locating an Avian Veterinarian

If you have mixed genders, it is very important to do everything necessary to prevent breeding.
Budgies are much healthier and happier when they are never bred.

A Heartfelt Plea to All Members
Tips For Discouraging Breeding
Before You Ever Consider Breeding Your Budgies
Guidance for Breeding Advice Threads

A Healthy Diet for your Budgie
Quality Seed Mix
CuttleBones, Mineral Blocks and Manu Clay Roses
Safe Foods for Budgies
The Truth about GRIT

Please take the time to read through the Site Guidelines, the FAQs, the Budgie Articles and all of the Stickies located at the top of each section of the forum.
Additionally, please be sure to read the thread "Posting on the Forums" which is linked below.

Truly, the very BEST advice anyone can offer you is to take the time to read ALL of the stickies throughout the various Talk Budgie forums as well as the Budgie Articles we have posted.
(Stickies are threads “stuck” at the top of each forum sub-section)
These are great resources for Talk Budgie members and have a wealth of reliable information which will assist you to learn the best practices in caring for your budgies for their optimal health and well-being.

SITE GUIDELINES
Posting on the Forums
Let's Talk Budgies!
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Before You Ever Consider Breeding Your Budgies
Guidance for Breeding Advice Threads
Cage sizes.
Essentials to a Great Cage
Dangers to Pet Birds
Resource Directory

Nice to have you with us. If you have questions after reading everything, please let us know.
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StarlingWings
Hello there and :welcome: to the forums.

It's great to have you with us! You've been given great advice above and I agree completely. If you have any questions after reading through things, please be sure to ask as we'd be happy to help.

Please let us know how things go! We are looking forward to updates and we'd love to meet your budgies soon when you get a chance as well.

Best wishes! 👋
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cyscottch
Thanks everyone for your help--
I took her to urgent care vet yesterday after trying to film her episodes and witnessing foam coming out of her beak. they think upper respiratory infection and gave me anitibiotics to give her twice a day, and it was looking like she was on the road to recovery. I put her in new room with heater and humidifier on since then.

I gave her her morning dose with no huge issues and I've seen her eating, but she's seemed extemely tired and has been very puffed up and just a few minutes ago she hopped voluntarily to the bottom of her cage and has been resting there... I'm very worried. Is there anything more I can do for her? :(
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Cody
If it was my bird and she was at the bottom of the cage I would be calling the vet and perhaps hospitalizing her.
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FaeryBee
You need to get her back to the veterinarian right away.
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cyscottch
She passed yesterday... Thank you both for your help. I'm comforted only knowing she wasn't alone, she was comfortable and that I did what I could.
To anyone else reading, keep a close eye on when your birds are acting different and treasure every moment with them. Make sure they live life to the fullest <3
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StarlingWings
I'm so sorry for the loss of your little one~ Now she is pain free and flying high above the Rainbow Bridge. May she rest in peace 💛
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FaeryBee
I'm very sorry for your loss.
Fly high and soar freely sweet baby; rest peacefully now wee one.
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