Sick Parakeet - Beak Problem

[tasha0328]

Hey Everyone,

This is going to be a long one.... Sorry.

I have had my 2 parakeets for like 3 years and about a month ago I took them both in to get thier beaks trimmed and the vet found a growth under my male bird's beak. He said that he could do surgery and try to get rid of it but there is a chance that he would bleed to death. If it doesn't get removed the vet said it might grow too big and he would starve to death. I decided to wait until he stopped eating or until it became a problem because at the time he seemed fine.

He has been doing good up until a couple of days ago. On Monday night I noticed that a large piece of his beak broke off (from where the growth starts to where it comes to a point on the upper beak) All day Tuesday and today he's been really quiet, putting his head in his back like he's sleeping but a lot of the time he's awake and he just looks really upset. My birds are not very social (except w/ each other) and they hate going to the vet which is a long drive in my car. It stresses them out a whole lot so I really would hate to do it. Especially if there's not a whole lot the vet can do anyway. Has anyone had any experience with this? He still goes to his dish to eat a lot, but I'm not sure that he's getting any seed, and he feels a bit lighter.

If anyone can help me out that would be great. I'm super upset about this, I'm afraid he's dying.

Thanks!
Natasha

[Millimi]

I would get him to the vet ASAP! If his life is at stake, does it matter how long the car ride is?
I know parakeets don't like car rides, mine are like that too, but considering what you are describing, it sounds pretty serious! I hope all goes well and that he gets better soon!

[Crazy Chin Lady]

:nod:

I agree 100% with what Natalie said. I don't own a parakeet of my own, but if your parakeet broke off part of his beak, that's very serious and he's in dire need of a vet. Most animals don't like going to the vet, most pets I know don't like car rides. But, if it's between saving an animal and letting them be stressed, or just letting them be, I'd go for the having them stressed!!

JMO though. I don't want to sound harsh, and apologize if I do come off as being harsh!

[KrazeeKristee]

I have had parakeets before. I have never had this problem, but I do know that they are very sensitive. They only have about a drop of blood in their whole bodies. I agree with everyone else, he needs to go to a vet.
I am sorry this happened so unexpectedly and I hope everything comes out okay....

The inside of a bird's beak is very soft and spongy - living tissue. If any part of that is exposed, it is very prone to infection. A good vet can do something about it, but, especially with a parakeet, you need to act right away! Please call your vet and make arrangements to be seen ASAP. If your regular vet can't or won't see you on an emergency basis, then ask for a referral to someone who will. This is an emergency, and waiting any longer is a serious threat to your bird's life.

Best of luck and please let us know how it goes!

[Mariah]

i had a parakeet for 12 years (hairface) he died last year, but because i move around alot he didnt mind car rides actually he seemed to like them, ive never had a pet that didnt like car rides, would it make him less nervous if you bring the other bird too?
good luck, hope he gets better!

[tasha0328]

I just wanted to update everyone. I took Bluebird and Ladybird to the vet today. The vet said that there really isn't anything he can do for Bluebird right now. The good news is that his beak is starting to grow back, when that happens he can go in and try to remove the growth if that's something I want to do. The bad news is that Bluebird has already thinned out since the last visit. The vet is worried that he might not last long enough for his beak to grow back. He recommended I try switching from my kaytee brand seed to Lafeber Brand nutri-berries because this will be easier for him to crack and digest. Has anyone ever had to deal with parakeet eating problems?

Thanks for everyone's advice and info.
-Tasha

[Mariah]

i did, the bird my mom got to try and 'replace' hair face had scaly-face and her beak was deformed, i didnt have to worry that much because lucky-bucky (my other birdie) fed him regurgitated bird seed,(ick!) lol i've never had a bird who wasnt open minded
tilly died though.............. poor baby

[Mariah]

oh and for the record............ tilly turned out to be a boy, just couldnt properly see the colour of her cere through the scalyface scale thingys, cleared up a bit......... but then she died because of her deformed feet slipped on the perch and she fell.......... the rest is history