My budgie is making strange rasping noises and molting. What's wrong?

Thanks for reaching out about Loki. Regurgitation can have a long list of causes including stress, metabolic disorders, hormones, infections, toxicities and ingested foreign bodies, to list a few. What is slightly worrisome is the lethargy and sleepiness. Molting can also be a result of illness, and this is not the typical season for molting. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan and also to review diet and husbandry. Good luck.

Anytime a small bird like a budgie has abnormal breathing sounds I recommend they get checked out ASAP. This is because respiratory diseases can become very serious, very quickly so early diagnosis and treatment is important. Your veterinarian may need to do tests but in some cases an exam and antibiotics are what is needed.

Hello, I would recommend taking your bird to a veterinarian when possible. This sounds like it could be an upper respiratory infection, which is common in pet birds. This often requires a course of antibiotics, depending on the extent of infection. Your vet can guide you best after their exam. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for reaching out. The raspy voice and sitting on bottom of the cage are concerning. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Respiratory infections (bacterial, fungal) are common, as is aspiration. Vitamin A deficiencies can play a part also. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give some aid. Good luck.

I am sorry that your Budgie is ill. The squeaking noises can be a sign or a respiratory infection, mouth infection or even a seed in the windpipe. This is something that needs to be seen by the vet right away! I would keep the bird quiet and unstressed until they see a vet- minimize handling.

Thanks for reaching out. Sitting quietly, fluffed on the bottom of the cage is not an indication of laying again. It is more probably a sign of illness and should see a veterinarian. Wheezing and respiratory clicking sounds are an indication of a respiratory infection, necessitating the need for systemic antibiotics. The second budgie, loosing feathers, could be a stress molt, but several viral disease could also be the cause. See your veterinarian. Good luck.

If she is molting, this can be very stressful on the body which could show up as not feeling well or the diarrhea, however if the problem persists for more than a day or so, worsens, or she seems to be acting differently than her molt last year, a vet checkup is best to rule out any other issues such as parasites, infections, etc, that could be causing the change.