Canary egg binding: Why did fluid burst and how can I prevent it?

Most birds will lay one egg every other day. The condition is more common in smaller breeds, and can be more serious as well. Ideally, she should be examined by a veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian. If one is unavailable right now, provide supplemental heat, about 90 F. Soak her for 20-30 minutes in a warm Epsom salt solution, enough to submerge her vent. Dry thoroughly then use a sterile lubricant (or vegetable oil) around the vent. Monitor for lethargy, straining or difficulty breathing. If she develops any of these symptoms, she should be seen at the nearest veterinary ER immediately. Be sure to feed a balanced diet and provide a cuttlebone or mineral block for additional calcium. Limit seeds and offer mainly a commercial pelleted diet (Harrison's, Lafeber, KayTee Exact or Pretty Bird) supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables.

I'm sorry to hear about your bird passing. While calcium can be given at home in addition to a balanced diet to help prevent egg binding, it can be hard to treat once it has happened. In some cases, vaseline or olive oil can be used on the vent to gently massage the egg out, however, if the egg is stuck and blocks stool passage, or if it breaks within the body, it can lead to illness and infection that may not be treatable in time. Egg binding is usually considered a serious medical emergency that should be seen by a vet, but even if being treated can still sometimes lead to the bird passing away.

If Katrin is egg bound she will likely be unable to pass the egg on her own. In most cases, this requires veterinary care as incorrectly trying to remove the egg can cause it to break inside the vent which can lead to infection. If you're already feeding her a proper diet, soaking her bottom in warm water, or using a little olive oil around her vent may help to pass the egg gently without breaking it.

Unfortunately, without an in person exam, it would be hard to say what exactly is going on. Egg-binding can definitely cause an obstruction and protrusion like pictured, as can issues with the vent being clogged with stool or underlying illness. If you suspect egg binding, you can try putting her in a warm water bath to help break up any stool crusted to her vent and to help the muscles to relax some to see if she can pass the egg. Since budgie eggs are so delicate I wouldn't recommend trying to remove it on your own as it can easily break inside her. Moving her to a hospital cage that is kept warm and with low perches/easy access to food can also help, as can catching her to help keep her vent clean and free of debris. I would also bring her back to a vet ASAP if the medication given is not helping.

It's possible there could be another egg ready to lay, or Peach could have an egg that is stuck and causing the swelling. Egg binding is a serious issue that should be seen by a vet ASAP to have it treated. If you cannot get to a vet right away, you can check for a stuck egg and gently lubricate the vent to try and get it to come out, however you run the risk of the egg breaking and causing more problems for Peach. In the future, feeding her extra calcium supplements can help as well, however if the swelling continues and she doesn't lay the egg, veterinary care is needed.

Thanks for reaching out about Lola. How do you know she is egg bound and not abdominal (coelomic) fluid? Is she has been egg bound for 5 days, that is serious and a veterinary visit is recommended ASAP. Try placing her cage in a steamy bathroom for 10-15 minutes. Most egg binding could be associated with a calcium deficiency so offering dark greens is important. The environment should be warm, 80-85 F range, 24/7. If she does not lay by tomorrow morning, you should see a veterinarian. Good luck.

I'm sorry to hear your bird passed away. It is possible she was ill and had an underlying illness-- as birds are great at hiding being sick until it's too late sometimes, or there was a nutritional issue such as not enough calcium or nutrition that led to starvation or egg binding (a stuck egg in the body). Making sure your birds are getting a complete balanced diet and extra calcium can help prevent these issues, however if you have any other birds that are also acting ill, separating them to a hospital cage and seeking care in person is best.