African Gray with breathing problems

[wbrown5]

I have an 11 year old african gray parrot named Cricket that I adopted 4 1/2 years ago.
In Jan 2011 she began having breathing problems. She sounds like a goose and makes the noise constantly day and night. I have had her to 2 different vets in my area. They both did xrays, blood work and tried varous medications, but nothing seemed to work. I doctored with each for several months with no changes in Cricket's condition. The one vet admitted she had no idea what else to try and the the second vet felt maybe Cricket had a tumor (or possible cancer) since there was a fuzziness in her xray around the heart.
Cricket basically seems normal. She is eating and drinking. She bathes and grooms herself. Her eating over the past 2 days has lessened though. Her mouth is constantly opened and her tail feathers are moving with each breath. She also makes a clicking noise at times. I don't know what I can do to help her. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Greycloud]

Everyone I invited Wanda here. She lives in a very rural area where no avian vets are. Her bird has been seen by two vets. She is still having breathing problems. I was wondering asper?

 

[waterfaller1]

Was she tested for aspergillosis? Do you run an air filter near her?

 

[waterfaller1]

here's a little info
Aspergillosis Fungal Infection in Birds

http://www.aecvets.com/caresheets/Aspergillosis.pdf

 

[birdlvr466]

Welcome and so sorry to hear your Grey is having issues. Do you have a good quality air purifier? She is definatley having some serious breathing problems. Is there a nearby city you could drive to to see an avian vet? I am hoping some more experienced people on here see this and can offer you some advice.

 

[birdlvr466]

Sick Bird Symptoms: Possible health problems associated with certain symptoms
Here is a link to some information.

 

[JLcribber]

It does sound a lot like asper. This has been going on for quite a while now without any successful treatment. That does not bode well I'm afraid to say. The condition (whatever it is) has obviously advanced to a critical point now. She needs to be treated by an avian vet that has more insight into what this could possibly be. If there isn't one around, some kind of phone/video/email consultation with one is in order.

It does sound like it's becoming critical. Time is of the essence.

 

[rikkitikki]

What about having one of her vets do a phone consult with an avian vet? Who's that AV that does the phone consults? Anyone?

 

[Greycloud]

Like I said, the honking sounds like it is asper. She will have to drive 3-5 hours to an avian vet.

 

[Greycloud]

Wanda, any of these vets within a decent distance for you?
My House of Wings - Pennsylvania Avian Veterinarians

 

[wbrown5]

Thanks for the link.I checked it out, but nothings sounds quite like what I am seeing in my bird.
Asper sounds similar but her breathing is not rapid. I appreciate your help!!

Sick Bird Symptoms: Possible health problems associated with certain symptoms
Here is a link to some information.

 

[wbrown5]

My vets told me Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are the closest and that 3-5 hours away from where I live

 

[Greycloud]

Asper can present in many different ways. Has your bird ever been on an antifungal?

 

[birdlvr466]

Do you want to tell us what city you live in? At this point I wouldnt think your vets know everything they should. Maybe there is one closer or certainly they could do a phone consultation. This really is urgent and your bird needs a diagnosis yesterday.

 

[Big Blues]

Welcome to AA.

Most regular vets will consultant with an avian vet via phone with no cost to you if they aren't successful treating the bird. I recommend you try that because an AV would be much more knowledgeable and it sounds like that is what you need at this point.

 

[WingedVictory]

Should it be a bacterial or fungal infection she is going to need antibiotics and an antifungal. Asper can be treated with a antifungal such as itraconazole or another azole, Lamisil (terbinifine) is also effective. Many vets will suggest nebulizing the medications. A vet to vet consult is my recommendation and make sure she asks about a nebulizer.

If it were one of mine I would add either 1tsp of ACV in a pint of water or 3 drops of GSE in a pint of water. Both are safe we used them here many times. Always make sure the bird is drink the water if you add anything to it.

 

[JLcribber]

It could be a number of things. With out proper testing and diagnosis it's just a guessing game. For example a liver condition "can" produce symptoms like that too.

 

[Greycloud]

Wanda, ACV is apple cider vinegar(Braggs with the mother in it), GSE is Grapefruit seed extract.
Pat, I provided a link with all PA avian vets.

 

[Mythreeiggys]

Wanda-do you mind posting where about you are? I'm 30-45 minutes from Philadelphia. If you find a vet in that area and you need help with transportation, I would be willing to help.

Judy-
Ginger had highly recommended Dr. Burkett for Chuchi/Qaiser on FB so maybe a consult from him would help? I think Qaiser did a Skype type thing from Pakistan.

 

[wbrown5]

Thanks for translating that for me. I will try those to see if it helps.

Wanda, ACV is apple cider vinegar(Braggs with the mother in it), GSE is Grapefruit seed extract.
Pat, I provided a link with all PA avian vets.