Breathing Issues?

[Tinkgrrrbell]

My conure has seemed to have worsening symptoms since end of March. He (I actually don’t know his true sex) is 7 years old and I’ve had him since he was 6 months. He started off very affectionate.

He’s molting, biting me more often without being provoked (in fact leaves his cage to come find and bite me), sleeping more during the day, feathers fluffed up, but the most concerning is that I think he’s breathing harder and tail bobbing. No nostril discharge, but also repeatedly stretches his neck in an odd way I haven’t noticed before, and occasionally sneezes multiple times in a row.

First we tried a virtual vet appointment over video, and my little jerk perked up and even started playing as soon as we got on video with her, so it looked like he was just fine.

Then he seemed to worsen so I took him into the emergency vet and they observed him overnight, took x-rays, and bloodwork, but couldn’t find anything wrong other than the fact that he was slightly dehydrated. This cost me almost $2k.

Since he’s also molting, and I’m home with him 24/7 and known to be a bit of a hypochondriac, I’m doubting my ability to tell whether he’s sick or not. I tested positive for COVID-19 back in March, and part of me worried I was just paranoid that I gave it to him (and everyone keeps telling me that’s not possible). Since I’m $1,500 in the hole after our last vet visit, I’m apprehensive to take him in again with uncertainty that it’s needed.

[ame="https://youtu.be/NlvuEtJEZWE"]Sick Conure - YouTube[/ame]

I recorded his breathing at the link above. To me it looks clear that he doesn’t feel well, is breathing hard, and has tail bobbing. I’ve spent so much money and been made to feel crazy that I’m looking for other input before I take him back into the vet again

 

[bigfellasdad]

i'm no expert, but sneezes aren't a birds respiratory issue i'm pretty sure. is his neck stretching to bring food from his crop?? again not sure. He does seem to be breathing heavier than ive seen in a budgie/cockatiel/cag, the only birds i have had. Do you trust your CAV?

 

[noodles123]

sneezing can most definitely be attributed to their respiratory system - in it depends..BUT if that were my cockatoo, I would 500% call that a tail-bob and get her butt to the vet ASAP...If a bird sneezes more than 1-2 x a day that is a big red flag....especially if it's abnormal for them.

 

[Tinkgrrrbell]

i'm no expert, but sneezes aren't a birds respiratory issue i'm pretty sure. is his neck stretching to bring food from his crop?? again not sure. He does seem to be breathing heavier than ive seen in a budgie/cockatiel/cag, the only birds i have had. Do you trust your CAV?

Thank you for your reply! I’m not sure if the neck stretching is related to food/his crop, but it could very well be. He’s been doing it a lot. Perhaps something is stuck?

He’s breathing heavier than what’s normal for him, that’s for sure. And also not good that he’s doing it when he’s completely at rest and has no reason to breath harder.

I’m not sure what CAV means, but I’m going to assume it’s the avian vet? Unfortunately we just moved to this area recently, so other than one appointment over video, and one trip to the emergency vet, I don’t have much experience to go off of with them.

 

[noodles123]

cav- avian certified vet and an exotics vet is not the same AT ALL.
please see my reply. I do believe your bird is sick...or at least, in need of a serious exam and possible blood-work--that bob is legit..

 

[Scott]

Video appears to show rapid breathing, though not in extreme distress. Was the emergency visit with a certified avian vet? While blood lab work is fairly straightforward, the physical exam is best accomplished by specialist. Might be time for a second opinion with another vet who may be willing to interpret the original data before doing additional testing. (you have the right to acquire lab and X-Ray results)

 

[noodles123]

If you are seeing a vet that primarily deals with dogs and cats (and a few birds) they will make you feel crazy because they truly don't know what they are doing (despite the fact that they think they do). I had to really fight for blood-work for my bird when I got her, and they said I was being overly cautious etc--I said she wasn't acting right and they finally did testing, but it was a fight, only to discover she was dealing with VERY serious liver issues...just keep that in mind..

 

[bigfellasdad]

sneezing can most definitely be attributed to their respiratory system - in it depends..BUT if that were my cockatoo, I would 500% call that a tail-bob and get her butt to the vet ASAP...If a bird sneezes more than 1-2 x a day that is a big red flag....especially if it's abnormal for them.

Really, Enzo sneezes a few times a day at least, she always has for the 3yrs ive had her... Worried now.

 

[charmedbyekkie]

Seconding finding an avian vet, not an exotics or general vet. I just refuse to waste money and time and risk receiving wrong meds (I see this happen often) from vets who aren't trained for avians. Even if a vet says "passionate for birds", passion isn't enough to cover the fact that avians and mammals have very different physiology (find me a dog with air sacs).

I'm surprised your vet did x-rays and bloodwork, but not a throat swab.

Understand about the finances. Make sure you have all of the data collected (printouts of bloodwork results, digital copies of the x-rays). I would reach out via email to an avian vet, share with the avian vet the video and medical data, and see if you can't get their opinion on whether or not your bird needs further care.

If they confirm your bird might need further testing (such as a throat swab), then you know you should put aside some money.

 

[Tinkgrrrbell]

cav- avian certified vet and an exotics vet is not the same AT ALL.
please see my reply. I do believe your bird is sick...or at least, in need of a serious exam and possible blood-work--that bob is legit..

Thank you for the explanation. Looking at the business card of who I saw last, she is a DVM in the Department of Avian and Exotics. I called to make an appointment with the CAV in my city (Glendale, CA), but it’s very frustrating because just like most vets I call, she is only there one day a week. She will be in on Monday and I don’t know if I should wait until then to get him in?

The only vet that I know of open this late is the one with the exotics department I went to last time which is an emergency vet clinic. I’m not sure how to get him to a CAV tonight. I’m going to have to do a lot of googling and calling.

 

[Tinkgrrrbell]

Seconding finding an avian vet, not an exotics or general vet. I just refuse to waste money and time and risk receiving wrong meds (I see this happen often) from vets who aren't trained for avians. Even if a vet says "passionate for birds", passion isn't enough to cover the fact that avians and mammals have very different physiology (find me a dog with air sacs).

I'm surprised your vet did x-rays and bloodwork, but not a throat swab.

Understand about the finances. Make sure you have all of the data collected (printouts of bloodwork results, digital copies of the x-rays). I would reach out via email to an avian vet, share with the avian vet the video and medical data, and see if you can't get their opinion on whether or not your bird needs further care.

If they confirm your bird might need further testing (such as a throat swab), then you know you should put aside some money.

They may have done a throat swab, but honestly after hearing there were no results, I didn’t pay enough attention to what all was done. I was also sick with coronavirus at the time, so my emotions and my mind were all over the place

I’m going to do some research tonight to try and find an actual avian vet in the LA area I can get him to ASAP.

I have the money, just not excited about wasting it like last time unless necessary, but it’s sounding more and more like it is. My poor little guy

 

[Tinkgrrrbell]

Thank you so much, everyone. I found a certified avian vet in Hawthorne, only four blocks from my boyfriend’s place. They open at 9am, so I’ll be calling them first thing in the morning.

 

[Scott]

Thank you so much, everyone. I found a certified avian vet in Hawthorne, only four blocks from my boyfriend’s place. They open at 9am, so I’ll be calling them first thing in the morning.

Wonderful! The difference in training and specialized equipment is critical. Hopefully the lab work and X-Rays from previous visit will form a baseline. From there you can discuss the need for additional services.

 

[GaleriaGila]

If you seek additional/second veterinary opinions, maybe these references will help. Good luck!

Certified Avian Vets
https://abvp.com/animal-owners/find-an-abvp-specialist/
If none are near you...
Avian Veterinarians
http://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803
In my opinion, any of the vets listed above should be better than a regular vet, although exceptions do exist!
Sometimes, it helps just to Google "avian veterinarian - [YOUR LOCATION]"
And here is a link concerning COVID issues...
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-health-care/85090-covid-19-veterinary-care.html

 

[Amsterdam]

keep us updated!

 

[Tinkgrrrbell]

Man, all the avian specialists in LA are completely booked up. They tell me it’s because COVID has made many vets afraid to treat animals, so they’re all being sent to the same places that remain open? Anyway, they agreed to see him tomorrow morning, but lectured me for 10 minutes about how it wasn’t really fair to the other clients that they’re squeezing me in between. If he gets much worse today, I’m going to have to just take him back to the emergency vet, but I hope not because their small animal specialist has no openings until next Thursday, so who knows who would be treating him.

I will let you guys know how it goes tomorrow!

 

[Scott]

Man, all the avian specialists in LA are completely booked up. They tell me it’s because COVID has made many vets afraid to treat animals, so they’re all being sent to the same places that remain open? Anyway, they agreed to see him tomorrow morning, but lectured me for 10 minutes about how it wasn’t really fair to the other clients that they’re squeezing me in between. If he gets much worse today, I’m going to have to just take him back to the emergency vet, but I hope not because their small animal specialist has no openings until next Thursday, so who knows who would be treating him.

I will let you guys know how it goes tomorrow!

I hope the vet has better attitude than the lecturer. Breathing issues are of huge concern - that is why practices have emergency slots. You ought not be guilted into submission after being granted a visit! Hope your conure is stable throughout the day, please update us after visit!

 

[Tinkgrrrbell]

Had more samples taken at the vet today (blood and fecal) and he said the lungs don’t sound as severe as they would with a fungal infection, so his guess is bacterial. He gave him a shot and sent us home with a prescription. I should get test results on Monday.

 

[Amsterdam]

Had more samples taken at the vet today (blood and fecal) and he said the lungs don’t sound as severe as they would with a fungal infection, so his guess is bacterial. He gave him a shot and sent us home with a prescription. I should get test results on Monday.

hope he gets well soon!!!

 

[wrench13]

Hopefully you are in the waiting room of that CAV.