upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

If anyone has looked on the "budgie" site will see that I have had this budgie named Carl that continually throws up.He's been doing this for almost 2 years now. Other than his volcanic eruptions, he is OK. It is really gross and I still do not know what is wrong with him. One vet prescribed .2ml of amphotercin twice a day. He almost drowned from the dosage
Bottom line, the vet I see now recommended a "crop flush' to see what is going on. I've put it off in fear he may die from the stress of the proceedure. He's pooping fine, eats like a pig (but he throws most of it up) so I've let him alone
What bothers me if it is something that can spread to the other birds. I've been thinking about this for awhile and I am waiting til the temp gets above the freezing mark before considering taking him to the vet.I am wondering if the risk of possibly losing him in the proceedure to find out why he does this continually and if it is something contagious to my flock. It is not a "little regurgitation" on the mirror either. It is a teaspoon of seed and mucus all over the place. The gross part is the other budgies rush over to eat it! (Carl is in his own cage but the mess gets all over the walls)
What would you do?

I would let the vet do the crop wash. It is a pretty easy procedure if you know what you are doing.

If he's been doing this for 2 years (how old is he?) and the other birdies can't wait to dig in and haven't thrown-up themselves, I doubt if it is contagious. Of course it is still gross and messy. I understand your reluctance to put the little one through it and I would be cautious myself especially with the smaller parrots. Luna died in our hands while we were doing her nails - most likely due to the fear of the new tool. (Yes, I still feel horribly guilty and still cry and kick myself in the a** for not being more careful - I miss her terribly )

I would research the procedure and talk with others who've had it done with their budgies or smaller parrots. It's been 2 years, so a little more time shouldn't make much of a difference.

Good Luck!

Jo

Since I've put Carl on avicakes, greens and harrison's mash it limits his "gorging" since he has to carefully pick and dislodge the seeds in the avicakes.If he gets out of his cage, he will immediately raid another cage for seeds and gorge himself. It is so gross he makes these "Homer -Simpson -donut -gorging" sounds when he raids the seed cups. Five minutes later he is Mount Vesuvius-a puke volcono.He will still throw up the avicakes but not as often and not as much.
Carl is at least 10 years old. I got him from a rescue. The tag at the rescue said "10 years old" and I've had him now for 3years so I am not sure how old he really is....

A bulimic birdie?