Re: Sick Budgie?

Andy wrote:
Apologies if this is not the correct forum. I acquired a 16 week old harlequin budgie about weeks back, and she seems to have an occasional habit of coughing, going on for minute, linked with beak opening, maybe a bit of headshaking, and swallowing. Still, she was always bright as a button I put it down to habit.

The last two days I occasionally can hear her wheezing when breathing, a falling note, and she sticks her tongue out and looks like she's swallowing some saliva or what-have-you, often when this happens.

Obviously respiratory, but she does not seem listless or fluffed up or off her food. My research suggested maybe goitre or perhaps a (?) lipoma, blocking her airways, but I'm not sure why it is intermittent.

She is on very largely a seed diet: I bought her an iodine tablet today, and she eats a little lettuce.

Anyone out there with experience of these matters who can suggest a likely cause? I would take her to a vet but she seems bright as a button apart from the occasional wheezing. If it continues I'll take her along but would like to rule out nutrition or a chesty cold first,

thanks,

Andy.


Take the bird to the vet. Birds are very good at hiding sickness. Let the vet rule out "chesty cold" or nutrition.
Debbie
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