Urgent Not Urgent - Possible breathing issues?

[Doll]

Hey everyone, I figured that asking other bird owners might be better than trying to talk about this with friends and family. I have a cockatiel who's been with me only since earlier this year. She's been eating, drinking, playing, and singing fine, but I can't help but worry about her breathing. She sneezes a few times a day, and occasionally they are wet sneezes. I've noticed that after sneezing, she makes this sniffling sound like when someone has a cold (it only lasts a few minutes). She is moulting, which may be why she's sneezing. I'm unsure if she is tail bobbing or it is simply normal tail movement, so I'll try to attach or link to some videos.

 

[Mizzely]

Molting shouldn't induce sneezing.

Based off the information, it's hard to tell one way or another. It could be seasonal allergies, or dry air - my quaker gets sneezy if it's dry out. You could try running a humidifier near the cage and see if that helps the sneezing. If it doesn't improve and there isn't a cause you can detect (such as taking a bath shortly beforehand) then a vet visit should be the next step just to be sure.

 

[Doll]

I see, well itt is winter over in Australia right now. I have an air purifier in the room, but I'll look into getting a humidifier. Bath's aren't the case, but she does usually sneeze right after preening.

 

[Mizzely]

I would guess the dry air then; Jingo gets sneezy at the beginning of every winter

 

[Doll]

I do hope that's the case, and not a respiratory infection. I might just ask about it during her next health check unless anything else happens before then.

 

[enigma731]

I don't see a tail bob but that's definitely a sinus congestion noise. Personally I'd get her checked just to rule out infection. She does look good otherwise though.

 

[Doll]

Here to bring an update on her. I can now confirm that she occassionally tail bobs, especially after sneezing. I do notice that she sneezes most when she in in her cage (which is in my room). I do clean the cage regularly, and I dont use candles, incense, products that spray or anything airborne. I have not had the chance to get a humidifier so for now I'll bring her in on a stand while I shower or increase her showers. My worries for her health have once again skyrocketed, however getting her to the vet is a matter of convincing my parents (it seems like the only way they would take her is if she "looks" sick).

Should there be any change in her condition, whether for the better or worse, I will update this thread.

 

[Shezbug]

Great to see an update on your bird. I hope she is clearing up a little.

 

[Doll]

Thank you, Shezbug.

I should also add that she has been to the vet earlier this year: about two weeks after we got her, I think I was just paranoid about her breathing. We had initially visited the general vet, who gave her a crop swab that came back with nothing. The vet said it was most likely psittacosis, and gave her a shot (of what exactly, I'm unsure). During the next visit, the avian vet prescribed doxycycline in her water for 40 days.

 

[enigma731]

Given that history, she definitely needs followup ASAP to determine if she really does have psittacosis and if she's had a relapse. Do your parents know thar you could catch it if that's the case?

 

[Mizzely]

I would also let your parents know that as prey animals, they instinctively try to hide their symptoms. A sick bird can be abandoned by the flock to prevent illness spreading, and a sick bird, with or without the flock, is a target for predators. So when they "look" sick, they are REALLY sick.

 

[Doll]

My father definitely knows, since he was in the room with me when the vet told us. I have been telling them (that birds tend to hide their illnesses until it's almost too late) even before I created the thread, but they seem to say "okay..." and brush it of?
What confuses me is that they've been saying things such as "You really care about her, don't you?", but seem to brush off my worries. They play with her and love when she sings too, so I don't see why they'd be so apprehensive about taking her to the vet.

 

[Hankmacaw]

In the top video, your baby is definitely breathing heavy. Can't really tell in the bottom video. I would say that she need to go to the vet. Respiratory issues are nothing to fool around with.

 

[Doll]

Good news! I've managed to convince them to take her, so we'll be going sometime this week depending on when the avian vet is available.

 

[Doll]

The vet visit was yesterday and we're waiting on test results to come back (I can't recall the name of the test, however her eyes, mouth, and cloaca were swabbed). For now, she's on antibiotics for a week. The vet said that the cold may have something to do with her breathing too, so we're looking into getting a low-light heating lamp for her. It's only been a day since the visit, so I'll update (hopefully) in the near future.

 

[faislaq]

I hope the test results were good news and your tiel girl is feeling better.

 

[Doll]

I almost forgot about this thread. The test says she is psittacosis free! I've gotten an air purifier for the room, and alongside the antibiotics, her breathing has gotten better.

 

[faislaq]

That is wonderful news!

 

[Shezbug]

Yay It is always great to get good updates