Budgie with ping-pong ball sized (and shaped) bulge on lower left side of the body?

Question

I went to my great aunt's house today to help her trim her dog's nails... and look at a budgie she said was having trouble.

Well, the bird has a massive bulge on the lower left side of it's body. MASSIVE. The size of a ping pong ball. It's still happy, hyperactive, playing, singing, preening and eating.

My aunt told me that the bulge has grown even more within the past few days.

Doing some reading I am becoming more and more confident that it is the result of an air sac rupture.

My aunt will not be able to afford expensive treatment on the little guy. She is, however, prepared to pay the $100 that she will need to have it euthanized if it starts acting miserable (right now, the only change in it's behavior is the bulge keeps it from flying).

I am going to get in contact with my friend to see if one of the interns at the animal hospital she works at, who saved her mauled duck for free, would want to try and save the budgie... Otherwise I'm going to have to try and help it myself.

I can get a razor or a pin and sterilize it and puncture the bulge and see if it helps. I can also apply antibiotics.

Please, if anyone knows what I can do, help. I would help pay for it's treatment, but I do not have a job, and do not have the money. My aunt is very old and on a fixed income. Please.

Answer 1

This could be many things. Take the bird to an "avian" vet, this is a vet for birds. (don't go to a vet for dogs and cats as they know only the basics for bird health)



Just go for a check up, it could be a easy fix and not cost a lot. Though, If the treatment costs a lot at least you know that you did your best to safe the little guy.







"Some lumps are abscesses, which are areas of tissue that have become swollen and inflamed by bacterial infections. Other masses are actually large deposits of fat that are beneath the skin"



"Many times though, a lump is actually a cyst. A cyst is a tissue sac that is filled with fluid or other loose material. Feather cysts, for instance, are filled with keratin. “Cysts are not cancerous and do not grow or spread like tumors do, although they might get bigger because they have fluid inside,” noted David Phalen, DVM, an avian researcher and associate professor at Texas A & M University. Cysts are generally not serious, he added."



"Swellings can also be due to an organ, such as the kidney or liver, enlarging from disease."





"a tumor (or “neoplasm” as it’s known by medical professionals) is a solid mass of tissue and, depending on the type of tumor, it may grow very quickly and spread. A tumor can occur anywhere on the body, and may protrude from the skin, under the skin, or grow inside the body. Tumors are usually much more urgent matters than the other kinds of lumps and bumps"

Answer 2

Ping Pong Show Budgie

Answer 3

Yes, even if he didn't have the lump, you should get him into the vet. Kidney failure progresses fairly fast and unfortunately, it sounds like he's at the end - I'm very sorry :-(. I lost one of my cats last year to kidney failure and they go down hill rapidly. The lump could be anything from a cyst to a tumor. But get him to the vet ASAP, and do what's best for him since it sounds as though he's suffering. Hugs to you - so sorry.

Answer 4

it is better to leave it until a vet can check it out to be sure that it is what you suspect. It could be another thing like a cyst, a tumour or diverticulitis - all these things can cause massive swellings. If you try to pop it and it is not filled with air you will cause the bird much pain and possibly a deadly infection.

PS: I'm surprised that euthanasia would cost $100.

I had one of my birds euthanized for only $16 and she had a swelling too that turned out to be a large tumour.

Answer 5

https://answersrip.com/question/index?qid=20110103220859AAHvUHF





Ruptured air sac





Air Sac Rupture:



Air sacs are located inside the neck, chest and belly. When ruptured, air will leak from the sac and accumulate under the bird's skin. If air is not released, the tear in the sac will enlarge. The vet will disinfect skin, poke the air sack with a sterile needle to allow the trapped air to escape. Surgical repair / antibiotic therapy may be necessary.

Answer 6

Have you tried to contact an avian vet and ask about getting this bird treated without charge. I know my own avian vet will do "pro bono" work on occasion, especially for a senior citizen that cannot afford much. It's worth a try.

Answer 7

talk to your friend so the vet can see it! you dont want to wait to long with this, also i would not want to pop that thing myself! you dont know whats going to come out of it or how this may affect the budgie]= umm you should call a vet and explain the situation and maybe they can help you!( somtimes they dont want to because they have to see the birdbut explain you situation). Good luck! and please take care of this as soon as possibe! see the diffrent antibiotics and stuff they have them at garden canteres or pet stores. the stuff 1:8 is really good they have stuff for all kinds of sickness. also see thishttp://forums.avianavenue.com/budgie-boulevard/2584-possible-tumor-egg-bound-budgie.html

good luck!