I have a 9 year old budgie with a clogged preening gland and the soonest vet appointment I could get is Thursday. She is not uncomfortable, she is eating, drinking, playing, and doesn't seem to be itchy or to be messing with it. However, I have noticed some tail feathers. It is very swollen and has a black crust on the bottom with white triangles. I've been applying a warm wet towel on it but I suspect I've been missing the black part. When I make sure to apply it on the black part, residue comes off. It hasn't gone down and the black hasn't reduced.
Until I'm able to go to the vet could I get advice to help her. Should I continue applying the warm compress and make sure to get the black part? Is there anything else I can do for her? Will continuing applying the warm compress which stresses her out worsen her stress at the vet?
Now I've have been giving her strictly vegetables (Kale, brussel sprouts, broccoli, and carrots), pellets, and reduced seed. I saw that a vitamin K deficiency could cause this, and she's also had keratosis in the past which I saw could cause this. She's more of a fruit eater and when I make her food I'll have a small side of fruit. There is a possibility that she has just been eating the fruit and seed mixed in, and neglecting the vegetables. I can make sure to feed her separately for the future but is there anything I can feed her now that could help/sooth her.
Also Yellow gets really scared at the vet and the car, is there anything other than covering the carrier and talking to her that will calm her? The only other thing I can find is giving her chamomile tea. I'm scared of her getting too stressed.
* Species: Budgie
* Age: 9
* Sex/Neuter status: Female, not neutered
* Breed: Budgie
* Body weight: ??
* History: Used to have keratosis on the beak, it went away years ago
* Clinical signs:
* Duration: 3 days
* Your general location: N/A, we already have a vet that will take her but I need help until then.
* Links to any test results, X-rays, vet reports etc. that you have: None