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Can anyone tell me why a budgie would have a "swollen" chest? He has always had a large chest (the top of it) since I got him. He's active and he plays,eats...etc just fine but to me it seems like he breathes slightly heavier... I think he is a diffrent species than my other 4 budgie because he is larger than my other ones...

What has your vet said about his condition? What does he weigh and how old is he?

Paca

I haven't taken him yet. I know thats bad but it's over $300 for the tests he needs plus the examination. I'm not exactly in a position to pay that but I will if I have to. He's about 3 yrs old.

It's abundantly clear that you love your birds so it must be harrowing to have 5 of them and not be able to afford vet care. My income is very limited too, and I know how I worry about what might happen . . . I don't have budgies anymore, but know that they're very prone to tumors. I hope that's not why your bird's chest is swollen, but I would certainly worry if he were mine.

It's quite possible to have an avian vet do an examination without testing and give you a good assessment of why he might have the enlarged chest and breathing irregularities. You might call the best avian vet in your area and ask what a simple vet exam charge would be. Here it's about $75. Vets are VERY accustomed to clients with too little money for testing, so it wouldn't be an uncomfortable situation at all.

Paca

Thanks- I was thinking tumor too....if that is the case he was born with it because he's always had it.Most of the time he doesn't have any problems with labored breathing, mostly after flight but it doesn't look normal...I feel so guilty that I haven't been able to take him but I am wating on my tax refund and I will then...

budgies are really prone to fatty tumors in the liver usually due to a an all seed diet. One of my budgies had a prnounced chest due to eatting microwave popcorn. Obviously the salt content had an effect whcih I did not realize. He was on milk thistle and a better diet and now he is normal but you should have a vet at least take a look at your bird even if you can not afford the tests.
good luck

Thanks- I will- For a while I thought he was an English budgie and that is why he ws larger but then the chest seemed more pronounced (I pay a lot of attention to them!) ...See the pics below...

You have a LOT of animals dependent on you, many more than the 5 budgies . . . and a lovely pool in a gorgeous setting.

Thanks! I have one cockatiel, 5 budgies and a betta fish...The pool, dog and cat were taken at my parent's house...

What's the right amount of milk thistle extract to give a budgie? Preferably in its water?

Yours,
Dora

Does your budgie have diagnosed liver disease?