Usually, Vinny's (F budgie) molts come with some kind weird symptom, most often their voice gets quiet or crackly and they talk a lot less, but otherwise, there are no behavior or energy changes and things return to normal once the molt is over. This is only their 3rd molt with me, so I am still quite unsure about what is really "normal" when it comes to what I should expect during molts. I am good to bring them to a vet if necessary, but I don't want to give medication if there isn't anything actually wrong.
I am unsure if I should be concerned though. There were changes that I expected, such as losing a bit of weight, spending more time in the cage, and sleeping more, but I am also a bit of a paranoid parent and can't tell if Vinny's symptoms or behavior changes are actually concerning, or I am just being overly worried.
For simplicity's sake, here is a bullet list of the things I've noticed:
I am unsure if I should be concerned though. There were changes that I expected, such as losing a bit of weight, spending more time in the cage, and sleeping more, but I am also a bit of a paranoid parent and can't tell if Vinny's symptoms or behavior changes are actually concerning, or I am just being overly worried.
For simplicity's sake, here is a bullet list of the things I've noticed:
- Weight loss: Went from their usual 38g (healthy weight/before molt) to 33g when I weighed them before their breakfast this morning.
- Less interest in food, but still eating and taking treats. Will eat pellets that I offer by hand.
- Significantly less energy, spending the majority of their time in the cage resting (awake, but just perching and not really doing anything) or sleeping. Lost most interest in toys and spends most time perching.
- I noticed them mouth-breathing a little bit yesterday, though not gasping for air. (Could have been because I vacuumed so dust got kicked around, or possibly because it looked like their crop was very full from just having eaten.) I haven't seen them do this today yet - going to keep an eye out for it though.
- Talking/singing less, voice is quieter, being less social, more bitey - though these are all expected and not concerning to me.
- No changes in droppings, no regurgitating, no nose or eye discharge, no tail bob when breathing, still happy beak-grinding