Tips For A Successful Trip To The Vet

If you've recently got your first budgerigar, then you may assume that your bird is fit and well. It may seem happy and perky enough and will have settled down into its new home.

While you may be prepared to take your budgie to your vet if it gets sick, it's also worth taking a new bird for an initial checkup as soon as you get it. Why is this a good idea?

1. Check Your Budgie's Health

Even though your budgie seems well at the moment, it's a good idea to have your vet give it a physical once-over. Your vet can check your pet for any hidden problems.

If you bought your bird from a breeder or pet shop, it is likely to have been in contact with other birds. For all you know, it may have picked up an avian disease, like canker, which can be serious for young birds if it isn't treated.

Your vet can check that your pet doesn't have an underlying condition like this. Bear in mind that budgies are good at hiding illness and injury. A bird that appears healthy may have a problem that you can't see yet, but that can be detected with vet services. However, if your budgie is sick, it may go downhill rapidly later. Budgies can die from simple illnesses if they aren't spotted early enough.

2. Learn How to Spot Signs of Illness

Like any pets, budgies have a range of common illnesses and conditions. If you're a first-time bird owner, you may not know what these are. Again, if a bird hides illness, you may not even realise it is ill until it is too late.

During the checkup, your vet can fill you in on things to look out for in the future. So, for example, your vet can tell you how to spot signs of problems like changes in the consistency or colour of your bird's droppings or even the temperature of its feet. They can give you advice on when your pet might need medical help.

3. Get Dietary Advice

Many new budgie owners assume that their birds are best fed a diet of birdseed or pellets. However, to keep your pet healthy, you may need to add other foods to the mix. For example, your vet can explain how to mix dry and spouting seeds, fresh fruit, and vegetables to keep your bird fit and well.

To find out more about an initial health check for your new budgie, contact your vet clinic.