Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi
I have a 6 year old budgie called Charlie. Recently he was treated for mites with ivermectin at the vet. He recovered from that time but he recently started losing all his featehrs from around his right eye, his eye started weeping and he was sneezing so I took him to the vet again who says he has a sinus infection. He has a runny nose as well, and the muck covered up over one of his nostrils but the vet cleaned it off. They gave me cream for his eye and antibiotics to put in his water. I have to take him to the vet in 10 days to check up on him but I have a few questions I didnt think to ask that i thought others ehre might know.

1. Is it contagious to humans?
2. Is it going to hurt him if he swims in the water? He wants to go swimming in his drink and at the moment its quite challenging to stop him cos he is very determined. My mum has gone shopping to get a drink container with a little lid on it. I dont know if I should just put plain water til she comes back; i dont wanhim to swim in antibiotics but if i give plain water he might fill up on that and not get any of the medicine!
3. Is it likely that he is going to recover? I am worried that he won't be able to recover cos budgies are so tiny and he is starting to get a bit older as well.

1. Is it contagious to humans? "Most" bird sicknesses are not contagious to humans so I would really doubt that this one is. If really unsure contact your vet to find out the exact type of sinus infection.
2. Is it going to hurt him if he swims in the water? He wants to go swimming in his drink and at the moment its quite challenging to stop him cos he is very determined. My mum has gone shopping to get a drink container with a little lid on it. I dont know if I should just put plain water til she comes back; i dont wanhim to swim in antibiotics but if i give plain water he might fill up on that and not get any of the medicine! Playing in his water shouldn't be harmful as long as he is not in any drafts or very cool air. Make sure he is able to fully dry before lights out at night
3. Is it likely that he is going to recover? I am worried that he won't be able to recover cos budgies are so tiny and he is starting to get a bit older as well. Budgies recover from sicknesses quite well as long as they get care quickly and when needed. There is always a chance with any animal of problems but I don't see any more of a chance of serious problems with a budgie than with any other bird that receives good timely medical care.