Cockatiel Aspirated in Shower

[SD1030]

I was in the shower with my cockatiel and he wanted to get wet. So I sprinkled him with a little water (away from his face). He got really wet. And he started preening himself and I guess some water got into his nostrils.

In any case, he started forcefully exhaling with this wet sound, and I could see his tail bobbing. His throat was moving forward and back. Enlarging and compressing. The episode lasted for 5 min and then stopped. He's perfectly fine now. Breathing normal and everything.

Do you think he likely aspirated some water into his lungs/ air sacs and was trying to get it out by exhaling like that? Is he gonna be okay? How do I know if he was able to get all the water out of his lungs and air sacs?


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[SailBoat]

Cockatiel's natural range tends to be more on the dry side and although natural heavy rains occur they tend to be less common. There is a fine line between too much water and not enough.

Having a shower with your Parrot is enjoyable, but we need to take care that whey do not over do it. We practice a very light drying (toweling) to reduce the amount of water so that large droplets are not aspirated.

Depending the the level of humidity in your home, it can take a couple of days for their lungs /air sacks to return to normal.

When such an event occurs, one should keep a closer than normal watch as it can result in an infection.

 

[SD1030]

Thank you for the response. So if he’s not longer showing signs of respiratory distress, can we assume that he cleared all the water from his airways? Or could there still be some water left over even though he’s breathing normally now?


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[noodles123]

this happened to noodles once-- if it's been stopped for a few hours and behavior is normal, I think he's fine.

 

[Scott]

Agree with all above, your cockatiels should be fine!

If you are able to weigh him, now would be an excellent opportunity to capture a baseline and observe potential changes in the slim chance of lung infection. Weight loss a critical early warning for avian illnesses. A sensitive electronic cooking or mail scale measuring grams is ideal and inexpensive.

 

[Laurasea]

agree with Scott, start weighing daily.
Aspiration pneumonia takes up to 2 weeks to show up.

And with birds hiding things signs csn be subtle. Weight-loss. Might be your first and only symptom.

Likely things will be fine.
Xtra warmth is very helpful. I use a sweeter heater as found in Amazon. Or a k&h heater are good. Provided off to the side they can use when needed. Most if mine sit by it after a bath. And it was a life saver when I had sick burds.

 

[SD1030]

Thank you all. I’ll follow your advise. I’m just hoping he was able to clear all the water out. Will definitely be monitoring him.


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[WhiteFlight]

I was in the shower with my cockatiel and he wanted to get wet. He got really wet. And he started preening himself and I guess some water got into his nostrils.

In any case, he started forcefully exhaling with this wet sound, and I could see his tail bobbing. His throat was moving forward and back. Enlarging and compressing. The episode lasted for 5 min and then stopped. He's perfectly fine now. Breathing normal and everything.

Do you think he likely aspirated some water into his lungs/ air sacs and was trying to get it out by exhaling like that? Is he gonna be okay? How do I know if he was able to get all the water out of his lungs and air sacs?

Meisha receives showers frequently during warmer months, infrequently during colder. Obviously a larger platform, Meisha hasn't had any issues with water after a shower.

• Did he start preening while in the shower or afterwards?
  
• As for ingesting water, the incident would be followed with a coughing cycle, which would end when the task has achieved the desired results.
• From my experience with a larger platform, the issue is reconciled by the correcting function.

 

[SailBoat]

A Stethoscope is the only way to know for sure that lung/air sack are dry, understanding that practice is required to hear the fail sound while also hearing the heart.

 

[SD1030]

I was in the shower with my cockatiel and he wanted to get wet. He got really wet. And he started preening himself and I guess some water got into his nostrils.

In any case, he started forcefully exhaling with this wet sound, and I could see his tail bobbing. His throat was moving forward and back. Enlarging and compressing. The episode lasted for 5 min and then stopped. He's perfectly fine now. Breathing normal and everything.

Do you think he likely aspirated some water into his lungs/ air sacs and was trying to get it out by exhaling like that? Is he gonna be okay? How do I know if he was able to get all the water out of his lungs and air sacs?

Meisha receives showers frequently during warmer months, infrequently during colder. Obviously a larger platform, Meisha hasn't had any issues with water after a shower.

• Did he start preening while in the shower or afterwards?
  
• As for ingesting water, the incident would be followed with a coughing cycle, which would end when the task has achieved the desired results.
• From my experience with a larger platform, the issue is reconciled by the correcting function.

Yes he started preening himself while still wet. I’m assuming that’s how the water got into his nostrils.

He started wet-exhaling, which he sometimes does have showers, but this time it was more severe and his throat was expanding and contracting. Went on for 5 minutes and then completely disappeared.

I’m just hoping he was able to completely clear out all the fluid from his lungs. [emoji1374]

He’s breathing fine, eating fine, normal behavior.


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[noodles123]

My vet told me that if they get water in their actual air sacs, that it becomes fairly apparent if they are drowning (within hours)...Now pneumonia is different and obviously you should be on the look-out for any subtle changes in behavior etc
(given this incident) but in terms of immediate danger, it sounds okay. Your bird may have just gotten water in his nose...but do take any changes in behavior VERY seriously.

 

[WhiteFlight]

Yes he started preening himself while still wet. I’m assuming that’s how the water got into his nostrils.

He started wet-exhaling, which he sometimes does have showers, but this time it was more severe and his throat was expanding and contracting. Went on for 5 minutes and then completely disappeared.

I’m just hoping he was able to completely clear out all the fluid from his lungs.

He’s breathing fine, eating fine, normal behavior.

I read that as after the shower. I would default to Noodles123:

My vet told me that if they get water in their actual air sacs, that it becomes fairly apparent if they are drowning (within hours)...Now pneumonia is different and obviously you should be on the look-out for any subtle changes in behavior etc
(given this incident) but in terms of immediate danger, it sounds okay. Your bird may have just gotten water in his nose...but do take any changes in behavior VERY seriously.

Preventatives:

Practice a very light drying (toweling) to reduce water.

Agreed, recommend exercising ways after a shower to shed excess water before allowing your SDcockatiel to preen.

What works for me:
Before leaving the shower, I have Meisha shake her head vigorously about three times, to shed water. I have a hand signal for that. I follow by manually flap her wings and shaking her tail to shed more water. I have the liberty without adverse effects to provide a good towel drying, enclosing her in a towel, gently pressing her complete frame, including under the wings. In cooler weather, I treat her to a blow dry with precautions. She preens afterwards at her cage.

 

[SD1030]

Oh yes I always try and towel him right after showers. But this time he got to preening before I was done showering myself. Normally he doesn’t preen while that wet.


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[WhiteFlight]

Oh yes I always try and towel him right after showers. But this time he got to preening before I was done showering myself. Normally he doesn’t preen while that wet.

Gotcha.

Another thing to consider is blocking water-spray from the birds head while in the shower. Meisha gets completely saturated. I cup my hand above her nose to protect her face. She recognizes and cooperates.

 

[SD1030]

I spoke with the vet, and he recommends that my cockatiel go on Cipro 0.06 ml twice a day for 7 days, just as a preventative measure to prevent pneumonia.

My concern is that about a month ago, he was taking Cipro for 30 days because he had a respiratory infection.

Is this too much Cipro?


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[SD1030]

I’ve read that it’s tough on the liver


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[noodles123]

is your vet certified avian and are you seeing any signs of pneumonia (I know it can take 2 weeks to show) but what are you seeing so far?

 

[Laurasea]

I'm glad they are doing a prevention treatment, I think that a good idea, especially if has had past infections.

I haven't used tgst antibiotic so I'm in no position to advise

 

[SD1030]

Yes he’s a board certified avian vet. To be honest, my cockatiel seems to be doing okay. Energy and eating and poop is all normal.

I will say though that if anything, mayyybeee he’s sneezing a tiny tiny bit more? But that could be due to preening and all the dust? So I’m not sure. Also maybe I’m just more vigilant and noticing the sneezing more? I’m not sure.


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[noodles123]

Yes he’s a board certified avian vet. To be honest, my cockatiel seems to be doing okay. Energy and eating and poop is all normal.

I will say though that if anything, mayyybeee he’s sneezing a tiny tiny bit more? But that could be due to preening and all the dust? So I’m not sure. Also maybe I’m just more vigilant and noticing the sneezing more? I’m not sure.


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If vet is board certified, I'd assume he/she is making the right call (esp with the sneezing). If worried about the liver, you could look into a bird-safe milk thistle supplement to be taken in conjunction (but run this by your vet too). Make sure it is not a tincture suspended in alcohol and do not add to water if you use it. Call and ask about the risks of cipro on top of recent long-term dosing and I am sure they will be happy to weigh the pros and cons with you.