My budgie is suddenly blind and showing signs of illness. What to do?

Thanks for reaching out about Blueberry. The most common finding with ataxia and possible vision concerns is the ingestion of heavy metals (lead, zinc). These can come from ingested paint, small pieces of metal or other things. A veterinary visit is recommended as these show up very well on radiographs, and prognosis is very good with proper treatment. Renal, liver, heart problems and vision loss can also account for these signs, and veterinarian can help with this. Remove perches and place a soft towel on the bottom of the cage for comfort, providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give some aid. Good luck.

Those are general symptoms that Bibbie is not feeling well and may have an underlying illness. It would be best to seek veterinary care ASAP as this is a symptom of many possible issues and an exam is needed to help narrow down the cause. Until you can get to the vet, moving her to a warm hospital cage with easy access to food and water may help, however if she is completely listless seeking care is needed ASAP.

Thanks for reaching out about Pablo. This could either be a leg injury (fracture, luxation, neurologic) or an enlarged organ (kidney, testicle) placing pressure on nerve to that leg. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. For now, remove perches and place a thick towel on the bottom of the cage on which to stand. Place food and water within reach. Good luck.

Without a physical exam and eye exam, it is difficult to determine this. Have Sunny examined by an experienced avian veterinarian. The cause may be infection or injury. In the meantime, lower perches to prevent falls and keep her in a warm, low traffic area to prevent stress.

Thanks for reaching out about Keasha. A veterinary visit is probably urgent. The first thing that is suggestive would be a neurologic condition. This could be a toxin ingestion (lead, zinc, plant), metabolic concern (liver, kidney), neoplasia (pineal tumors are fairly common in budgies), just to mention a few potentials. Fluffed feathers and dropped wings are suggestive of weakness or cold. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give some support but is not a treatment in itself. Good luck.

If the eye is bad enough that your budgie is keeping it closed, or if it looks cloudy or glazed over, it is best to seek veterinary care. While a cataract is possible in an older bird, injury or infection to the eye can also cause cloudiness, closing of the eye, or even debris to ooze from it, and should be treated so the eye is not lost or the infection doesn't spread. Keeping your budgie comfortable, eating, drinking and resting until you can get to your vet is best.

Thanks for reaching out about Shadow. By the picture and the blue cere, is probably a boy. If not eating or drinking, this is very serious as these small birds have little caloric stores to compensate. Providing supplemental heat in the 80-85 degree range might give some aid. A veterinary visit is highly recommended, and soon. Older budgieregars are prone to metabolic concerns (kidney, liver) and other problems. Ingested foreign bodies or toxicities are also common if allowed free roam. Good luck.