Vet doesn't know what this is...help needed

[Min]

Hello, I'm new and seeking advice since I can't find any elsewhere.

I have a male budgie, 5 years old, who now has a growth on his cere.
http://usera.imagecave.com/Min/IMG_00445.jpg

On Sunday, one of his narins was plugged and he seemed to have difficulty breathing. The plug fell off that day. Monday he was fine but on Tuesday he started developping this growth. I brought him to, what I'm told is, an avian vet on Wednesday and the vet said he did not know what it was. He had difficulty believing that this happened in a period of two days. He asked me if I seen any blood, which I didn't, but the plug that came from his nose what a dark brown so it's possible it was dried blood. He was sharing a cage with another budgie and I have since seperated them, concerned that maybe the other was picking on him and this was due to an injury (His tail feather is also bent). When I try to put them together he sleeps but when separated, he sings.

The vet noticed some difficulty breathing in the office and gave me Chlorpalm but since I've brought him home is breathing is better. I'm not sure if it was stress due to the way the vet "handled" him, something he's never experienced before.

He sings, he eats, he grooms, his droppings are normal, he likes to fly around, if it wasn't for this I'd think he was fine. I'm at a loss. I understand any sign of sickness is bad but I'm hoping this may be something that can be fixed.

[Joey]

Its definately something...but If a vet couldn't diagnose it than I don't think we can,Try to find an AVAIAN vet maybe.There aren't many but there are some.The vet probably wasnt an avain vet and dealt with dogs and cats.If hes cating normal...thats good but there is definately something wrong with his cere.What if that growth grows over his nostrals and he cant breathe?I don't see it being scaly face.It looks to me as a infection of some sort because of the color.:( Im sorry I cant help

[redgirl]

Has he had any accidents with his beak at some time, as it looks to be infected...surprised a vet didnt diagnose it if I was you I would maybe try and find another vet. let me know how you get on please.

[clifff123]

He so pretty do you have any news about him??

[Min]

Hello,
Thank you for the replies.

Unfortunately, there are no avian vets in our city other than the one I brought him to. I've been giving him the chlorpalm hoping that it will help. The growth has fallen off and the swelling has gone down, but he now has a hole in his cere. He still sings and eats and all that. He doesn't even seem to notice that he's hurt/sick.

Here's an updated image. Maybe someone will recognize what this might be...
http://usera.imagecave.com/Min/IMG_00799.jpg

[Enna]

i think he may of hurt his beck badly and that huge thing grew over it and after it was healed enough it fll off. i have the name in my mind as what to call but but it won't come out

[clifff123]

He looks so much better , Please keep us informed!!

[murphygirl]

Min,
It is unfortunate that there is not an avian vet in your area. Without veterinarian help, I'm not sure what to tell you. I did visit the exoticpetvet.net Web site and found some information about avian cancer. The site is written by Dr. Margaret Wissman, DVM. She also writes a column in BirdTalk magazine.
The growth on your little man's cere looks like some sort of lesion. I've been reading lately about the different types of avian cancer. Here is what I found on the Web site. I know that it mentions African Greys specificially, but budgies and cockatiels are more prone to the avian cancers than larger birds so something similar may be happening to your budgie.

"Another type of skin mass found in some birds, most commonly African Grey parrots, is the cutaneous papilloma. These are most often located around the eyelid, junction of the beak and face and on the feet and legs. Papillomas are viral-induced in African Greys, and I mention this because internal papillomas (also most-likely viral-induced) can also undergo malignant transformation to become squamous cell carcinoma. These may be found anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract."

Please know that I'm not writing this to scare you but the more you know, the more you can help you little guy. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your little man.

[budgiesmum1953]

Hello Min,
Firstly what a beautiful boy your budgie is. I'm so sorry that he's not been well. I can't recognise what was wrong with his cere other than to add that it does look as if it was an injury that became infected. I wonder if your vet gave an antibiotic either injection or to add drops to the drinking water? It now looks as if healing has taken place and this has left behind good tissue and in time this should heal even more. What is encouraging is the fact that his behaviour hasn't changed and he's eating and drinking just fine. Please stay vigilant for any sign that this could be recurring as it might only need antibiotics to clear it up.
Jan.