Allergy?? Or something else? Help!

[Martin93]

Hello,

So lately i've been having some weird symptoms when around my birds, especially my macaw or when i'm in their room.
My nose gets stuffy all the way to my ears which gives an annoying crackling sound. and when my macaw is real close to my like cuddling my eyes start getting dry after a few minutes. Also i've been feeling pretty tired lately..

Before buying any birds i had an allergy test to check if i'm allergic to parrots, which came back negative so i felt safe buying a bird. (reason for allergy test; I'm allergic to most things. food, cats, dogs..)

Now i'm starting to get scared that i might be developing an allergy here!
But i'm not entirely sure if its really an allergy or if my nose is just sensitive to some dander or something. I've also been thinking that it might be the food. My parrots eat only cooked veggies, fruit and oatmeal. that does not seem likely to give me a reaction. but my budgies eat seeds. Now seeds are pretty dry and might create some allergen dust? which my birds carry with them since they're all in the same room there?

Anyone with some simmilar experience? Or any advice?
Thanks!

 

[LordTriggs]

it could be to do with budgies and their seed

It could also just be the sudden temperature fluctuations going on this year. I've noticed my skin to be more irritable the past few weeks

 

[Teddscau]

Or you could have parrot fancier's lung... Okay, probably not. Anyways, I'd encourage daily bathing from all your birds. Do you shower with your big birds? I know a lot of people do, but I don't know how one goes about such a thing. I'd imagine you'd have to have the water fairly cool, which sounds awful. Anyways, the macaw and ekkie need to be thoroughly soaked at least every other day.

I'd also recommend spraying the newspaper on the bottom of their cages then removing it every couple of days to keep down the dust.

When I first got Noah (got him two summers ago from a family who didn't want him anymore), he was absolutely filthy. Whenever he'd ruffle his feathers or scratch himself, a huge cloud of dust would come off. You'd think he was a cockatoo or something with all that dust. Obviously, he'd barley been bathing at his old home. His old humans were extremely irresponsible. Anyways, I would thoroughly spray him everyday. After more than a month, he was finally (mostly) free of dust. Honestly, it was awful. I mean, I'd soak him right to the bone almost everyday for weeks before he started showing any significant improvement. Now he only needs to bathe once or twice a week.

 

[Flboy]

Not to drop a bomb, but anyone who has allergies, may also have tendencies to develop antibodies to any foreign proteins!

 

[WakaWaka]

Martin,
We never had any issues ourselves around PJ or with Arika (our B&G) and she is going through her first molt right now.
I hope you have not developed an allergy especially after all you and Jacky have been through.

Sounds like good suggestions on the bird showers to minimize any dander if that is not already part of your routine.
How is the humidity in the house? Perhaps a simple adjustment there could help.

BTW how is Jacky doing? I know you went through a lot with her and hope that she is eating well, gaining weight and is healthy.

Thanks
Kelly, Karl and Arika

 

[Teddscau]

Fudge, just read your previous threads, and things sound sketchy as heck. Don't get anymore unweaned babies! I have experience raising orphaned infants (squirrels, kittens, mice, etc.), and they're never as strong and healthy as parent raised individuals. Their immune systems are weaker, their growth is stunted, they have socialization issues, have behavioural issues since their parents haven't taught them proper behaviour... It used to be common practice to pull chicks from their parents before their eyes even open, but these individuals just aren't healthy. Experienced parents know exactly how to feed their babies, when to feed, what to feed, how to keep them clean, etc., but humans can't even raise their own infants properly. Did you know that human babies are actually supposed to be carried at all times? Also, human infants aren't supposed to cry. The reason they cry is because they're scared because they aren't in constant contact with their parents, and it turns out that they're starting half the time. When a baby animal cries, they're putting their lives at risk. It alerts predators to their location and lets them know that they're by themselves. A baby only cries when absolutely desperate, since a noisy baby is a dead baby. Look at how other primates raise their babies. Seriously, apparently only European and North American babies cry. In Africa, South America, etc., babies NEVER cry. Babies should have their crib right next to their parents bed, and they should be fed long before they start whimpering.

Got off topic there.. But yeah, humans should only raise another species' infants when there's no other option. But seriously, look up that thing about how human infants shouldn't cry. I always thought it was strange how we raised babies. That's not how gorillas, lemurs, baboons, etc., do it!

 

[SailBoat]

Great advice above!

Remember, that this time of year, things that may not have effected us during the summer will now!

Changing the filters on the air heating system needs to happen far more often that most people with Parrots realize! More like monthly for 1" (25 mm) thick filter. If you use hot water heat, your home needs an air purifier (filtering) system.

The lack of humidity in the home is very hard on our sinus and will cause serious problems, much like you are experiencing. You will need to convert this to 'C:' At 70 degrees 'F,' your home should be between 35 and 45% Humidity level minimum.

Parrots need the Humidity even more than we do!!! Their being dry will increase the amount of dust they produce as their skin dries. They also will develop health problems as their air way dries.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Have you tried a antihistamine, available at supermarkets and chemists to see if it has any effect?

Are there any of your allergy triggers in the birds food?

 

[Scott]

A person can develop an allergy most any time in life. I used to use an avian vet who practiced for many years before developing a severe allergy. Perhaps "parrot fanciers lung" or something else? He continued to work with mammals until retiring.

 

[Martin93]

I'm responding to this quite a bit late, sorry for that but i've had a crazy few weeks without internet!

Anyway the problem is solved now, it were the budgies. probably their food.
I've brought them to a friend for 2 weeks and cleaned the room and i noticed i was feeling quite a bit better! They wont eat anything else than the seeds so they are now staying permanently with my friend.

@wakawaka
Jacky is doing fine. She can't eat everything but i feed her lots of diffrent things that she can take very well. As long as i dont feed her seeds and nuts its all good. Vet still doesnt know or understand whats going on, and i dont think anyone ever will...
She's not gaining a lot of weight but she gained enough for her size i think. She's not as large as other b&g's.

 

[WakaWaka]

Martin,

A very Happy New Year!
Glad to hear you found the source of your allergic reaction and are feeling better but very sorry to hear you had to give up the budgies. We are happy that you found them a good home.
Also very happy to hear that Jacky is doing well, that you have managed to find acceptable foods that are good for her, and they are not upsetting to her digestive system. I know a lot of people were very concerned given her early issues with eating and vomiting.
Arika weight went from 770g, (4 months old), when we first brought her home in Sept last year to about 930g now (she's currently 8 months). I seem to remember you mentioning that Jacky was heavier than that. We were concerned that Arika wasn't gaining enough weight but she seems to be eating well and just inside the average 900 to 1200g expected for a B&G.
Thanks for the update on both of you and please keep posting with Jacky's progress.

Thanks
Kelly, Karl, and Arika