Help!

[!Belle!]

Hi! I'm new to this site. I have a 5 year old budgie named Belle. The reason that I am writing this is because a few days ago I noticed that there was something a little different about her vent. I took her in the shower with me that day(which I almost never do) and about 20 minutes after she came out, she had some watery diarrhea. I am guessing that she swallowed some water, but i'm not sure because she didn't stay in the water for very long. The day after that, I noticed that her vent was swollen a little, and it looks like some feathers were missing from the area. I haven't looked at her droppings since then, but I don't think that she's had anymore diarrhea. The rest of her body looks normal, and there isnt any crust around her beak or eyes so I don't think that she has mites. Now her vents is swollen and the area around it seems soft, although it is not discolored. She actually seems more active than usual, but a little less social. She is always running to the door when i go near her cage, but she will only stay on my shoulder for a minute before flying off. Theres one more thing- i've asked my dad if he would take her to a vet if she doesn't get better, but he is convinced that she is fine, and refused to take her even if I pay for it (I think he is still remembering 3 years ago when she got sucked into my printer and it cost $700 for a leg operation). I also won't be able to keep an eye on her because I am going back to NY where I live in two days (I am in Florida now). Do you have any idea what is wrong with her or what I can do? Thanks!

P.S.- Sorry for writing so much lol! :o

[Joey]

Is she egg bound?Possibly I would get her to a vet A.S.A.P no matter what the cost...get her to a heated area if she is eggbound she will pass the egg in 1-2 hours if in a heated area otherwise you might lose her.It could very well be a tomour but it sounds like egg binding.:(

[pal0m1n0]

My budgie has layed at least 16 eggs in the past year. In my limited experience all this happens for a number of days before she actually lays. The larger stools seem to be hormonoly related and we have noticed that once egg laying starts she prefers not to mess in the cage. She waits until she is let out. I am pretty sure that if she was actually egg bound you would see that she is in considerable distress. The effort of pushing out an egg is quite tiring and she wouldn't be able to keep it up for long.

A vet visit would be good to arrange if you could. The vet could check on her general health and give you suggestions for discouraging the laying of eggs.

If anyone disagrees please say so. I wouldn't want to give bad advice. I am just telling what my experience has been with a laying hen.

[Joey]

My female had 21 eggs through her whole life and on her 22 she died from egg binding...:(

[feebs]

oh i am sot of new to this site as well but i am ok with it and it does not matter if u wrot a lot because i do sometimes

[Dinky]

The first thing I thought of was egg binding as well. How long has it been going on? If it was egg binding, I think something disasterous would have happened by now, if it's been going on for a few days already. Did she maybe get soap on her skin? or shampoo? This could cause some irritation. Or maybe she swallowed some? You could maybe try gently bathing the area with warm water and see if it helps. There may be soapy residue on her skin irritating it. Just some thoughts.:dunno:

[Budgiekin]

It sounds like she may just be brooding (wanting to mate). If her vent area is swollen and pinkish, then she is likely just feeling frisky. Have you seen her rubbing herself on any of her toys, perches or food cups?

If her activity level is still relatively the same (and even higher like you seemed to indicate) and she seems to be eating well, I don't think I would be too concerned unless you noticed other signs of illness, like discoloured droppings, lethargy/fatigue, diarrhea (which means the outer fecal portion of the dropping is loose) etc....From what you say, the only "symptom" is a slightly swollen vent area. The reason it may look like there aren't as many feathers in that area is that the tissue is swollen so it creates the illusion that she is missing feathers when in fact she isn't. Does her vent opening look like it sort of pulsates at all?? (That may seem like a funny question.....but it would be interesting to find out to see if she is just frisky...)

Oh, and one more thing, you are probably right about your little sweetie having just swallowed some water from being in the shower, which would explain why her droppings looked watery. If it was the inner whitish portion of the dropping that was watery, then that isn't diarrhea and you have nothing to worry about.

Hope this helps! Let us know how she's doing and whether or not you think she may just be feeling frisky.

[abel]

Good luck. Hope she's okay!

[Bird nerd boy]

to long make short:S

[Bird nerd boy]

it waz a joke
:eek:

[Lace]

She may be egg bound, this can be dangerous dear and can often surcome to death. I recommend you get her to a avian vet imediatly!