Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just gave my budgie his regular bath, and we were in my room, i was watching tv, and he was on his cage. I put him in his cage to rest, as i would be back in about 30 minutes. i came back, and found him laying under the layered newspaper...just laying there. His feet are unresponsive, and he has wide eyes. If he does get set down, he just flops forward, laying on his side, almost looks dead. Is there a chance that he inhaled some water from his bath? Is he is shock? i'm very sad. I set him back in his cage, and covered it up, it's his bed time. I don't want to find him dead in the morning. Maybe he ate one of his droppings?

I am sorry about your budgie. He sounds like a very sick little guy. I am not sure where you are from but sometimes in the cold weather a draft after a bath can create a shock to their system which can result in death. For anyone else reading this be very careful giving baths during the winter. Make sure your bird is in a very warm non-drafty place. Also make sure to never "submerge" your bird in water. Sometimes your bird will duck its own head under the water or enjoy being sprayed by he water but never actually dunk them. They can like a human keep from getting too much water into their system if they are expecting the full dousing (and do it themselves) but just like a human can inhale too much water if it comes as a surprise to them.

If your budgie is still acting lethargic and sickly please get him to the vet. I apologize for not answering your question sooner, I haven't been on the computer much with the bad weather here in Missouri lately but I have still been trying to check on messages here on birdhobbyist as often as I can.

The only thing i could do was put him in his cage, and cover him for bed. it was 11:00 at night,no vets open. i woke up to find him dead. Now, im 15 years old, a boy, and i cried for two days. I loved that little budgie so much. . My mom said that he might of caught a draft, and went into shock, and died. I'll be careful about my budgies next time, if i ever get a new one. I don't know if I will want to give my birds anymore baths, though. I learned that budgies stay very clean without them.

Thanks. RIP Petey. You're flying in a better place, even though your wings are clipped.