The Budgerigar Council of Victoria Inc (A10055P)

Budgie News Articles

Home Treatment for Sick Birds Courtesy of S.A. "Budgie Digest" When we feel upset, or when we think we have a cold, we do not call a doctor immediately, but by keeping warm we generally soon recover. The same applies to our Budgies. A careful watch should be kept for any sign of illness, if any are detected, it should be isolated and kept warm. In most cases a sick bird does not eat and therefore heir body temperature drops, this in turn, makes them puff up their feathers. This is a means of providing an additional insulation to keep their lowered body temperature from dropping still lower. A good hospital cage with a temperature of 90 degrees F. is desirable. Very often this in itself will start the bird eating and a cure is prompt. Be sure not to put such a bird straight out into an outside flight. If heat does not cure a sick bird sufficiently, a soft food may be tried. Bread soaked in milk, squeezed dry, may be placed in front of the bird. Sprouted seeds may also be tried, if he is still alive to take it. Once he starts to eat, if he is only suffering an uncomplicated upset, your troubles are over. Haphazard doctoring by the breeder with Pencillin, Terramycin, Aureomyacin or other antibiotics is harmful. Certain concentration of these agents has to be kept up in the blood stream for certain length of time. Antibiotics may injure the action of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract causing ill health. SIMPLE DIARRHOEA - in an otherwise healthy bird can often be cured by keeping the bird warm for a week. Failing this, replace the water with weak tea, which sometimes helps. Place two tea bags in an 8oz. cup of boiling water, let steep for 3 minutes, pour off the first brew, fill the cup again with boiling water, let steep 5 minutes, take out tea bag and let cool. Diarrhoea may be caused by contaminated water in summer, microbes multiply very fast and at the same tine the intestinal tract becomes less resistant to their damage. Fresh water daily in clean vessels is better than sterilizing them by adding chemicals. ENTERITIS - is a general term for an inflamed condition of the intestinal tract. A number of different organism may be responsible. Most birds will respond to medicines especially adapted for Budgerigars, or red wine, half diluted with water, while keeping bird in hospital cage.