Conure Heavy Breathing

[ppogo]

Hello,

I am new here and just recently became an owner of an adult green cheek conure. Today I noticed that the bird is breathing very heavily at times. He also makes a weird movement with his head on occasion. Other than that he is playful, eats fine and even screams throughout the day. Since I don't know the bird so well, I am not sure if his breathing is normal. I am very worried. I have a video of his breathing if anyone wants to hear it.

 

[Sunnyclover]

The weird head movement could be regurgitation but the heavy breathing is not normal and if it were my conure baby I'd get to the vet asap!

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, thanks for joining! I am sorry your GCC appears unwell. Breathing issues are cause for great concern. Are you sure your bird is a "he?" Any change in the coloration and/or size of the droppings? Difficulty with walking?

My best advice is to visit an avian certified vet. Birds are masters at hiding illness, and when symptoms become apparent the situation may be advanced. Yes, if you can post a video it may be helpful.

Please keep us updated as able.

 

[ppogo]

I was told the bird is a "he" at the pet store. It appears well otherwise besides the breathing issues. He does make the head movement often when he walks, the heavy breathing happens sometimes. His droppings seem fine. I've only had him since Saturday. He also makes Clicking noise with his beak, which I am not sure has anything to do with the other issue. I tried posting a video, but for whatever reason it wouldn't upload. I am afraid that taking him to the vet could stress him out a lot. He doesn't step up which could be an issue at the vet, but he does like to go up on my shoulder and hang out there. He screams if I don't let him go up.

 

[itzjbean]

Hello! You should be taking your new bird to the vet regardless of any problems, just to do a checkup to ensure it is healthy. The heavy breathing does NOT sound normal. Bringing him to the vet will stress him out a little, but it will be tremendously safer for him in the long run to get checked out by the vet. PLEASE take your new bird to your vet.

 

[Scott]

I was told the bird is a "he" at the pet store. It appears well otherwise besides the breathing issues. He does make the head movement often when he walks, the heavy breathing happens sometimes. His droppings seem fine. I've only had him since Saturday. He also makes Clicking noise with his beak, which I am not sure has anything to do with the other issue. I tried posting a video, but for whatever reason it wouldn't upload. I am afraid that taking him to the vet could stress him out a lot. He doesn't step up which could be an issue at the vet, but he does like to go up on my shoulder and hang out there. He screams if I don't let him go up.

The reason I questioned the sex is that egg-binding can cause breathing and mobility issues. Not diagnosing the problem, but the symptoms cover a wide variety of issues. Taking a new bird for a well-check has many benefits. The beak clicking may be perfectly normal.

An avian certified vet and tech staff should be able to manage the stress, but heavy breathing is indeed a worry.

 

[EllenD]

I personally wouldn't be worried about stressing my own bird out if his breathing was "heavy". That symptom is enough to make me take one of my birds to the avian vet immediately. To be blunt, it won't matter if your bird is stressed out for a day or so from a vet trip if he has a respiratory infection and doesn't get necessary treatment for it, as by the time birds actually show any outward symptoms of illness they are usually very seriously sick and may die in the near future. Birds go downhill quickly, so please take your little guy to an avian vet ASAP.

"Dance like nobody's watching..."

 

[Rival_of_the_Rickeybird]

Agreeing about vet asap. The issue might hopefully be imitation. The wife's bird imitates my heavy breathing (from the exercise bike, okay?) , coughing, sneezing. Good luck with your new bird.

 

[EllenD]

I too am hoping it's either an imitation or just a sound the bird is making on purpose, but you can't take a chance that it's not something more serious. Positive energy your way.

"Dance like nobody's watching..."

 

[ppogo]

Thank you all for the responses. I took him to the vet tonight, and showed the video that I took of the "breathing." The two doctors said it looked like amorous behavior. They also examined the bird and said he is perfectly healthy. His lungs and heart sound normal. They took a test for psittacosis just to make sure everything is okay.
The reason I was asking about stress was not to "not take the bird to the vet" but just as a precaution since I just got him. Yesterday he screamed for an hour straight, but seems like he was stressed out or just wanted direct human interaction.

I am very happy he is okay, and will continue researching and learning more about the little guy.

 

[Scott]

I'm so glad the vets deem him healthy pending the lab result. Because birds are masters of hiding illness, we frequently seek vet care when all is well just to be safe. OTOH, the forum is filled with stories of the reverse, so a bit of caution is advised and part of responsible ownership. You did the right thing!!

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Agreeing about vet asap. The issue might hopefully be imitation. The wife's bird imitates my heavy breathing (from the exercise bike, okay?) , coughing, sneezing. Good luck with your new bird.

LMAO! "from the exercise bike,ok??" Ok Mr Rival..no need to explain!

But seriously! YES!! I'd take your new guy/girl to an avian vet ASAP,if not just for a wellness check. As mentioned before,a birds health can go down hill very fast and it is uaually too late by the time we realize they are ill!


Jim

 

[EllenD]

I'm so glad he checked out OK, and hopefully the Chlamydia test is negative as well. Please keep a close watch on him though, and if his breathing gets more labored or he shows any other outward symptoms, such as liquid coming from his nostrils or mouth/beak, sneezing, coughing, frequently being "fluffed up", being less active and more lethargic, sleeping a lot, eating or drinking less, not eating at all, or noticeable​ weight loss, or abnormal droppings that are loose, watery, colored abnormally without a diet change, sitting at the bottom of his cage, etc. then you'll need to get him back to his avian vet immediately for a nostril/throat/crop culture. As Scott has already stated, birds in the wild instinctively hide all outward signs of illness or injury because they will be perceived as a weak and easy target for predators and they are often abandoned by their flock because they want to protect themselves and not draw attention to themselves. Pet birds retain these instincts fully, so usually by the time a pet bird shows any outward signs or symptoms of illness that we would perceive as being small, the bird has actually been sick for quite some time and is at that point extremely, seriously sick and needs medical treatment ASAP as they go downhill extremely quickly at that point.

Just keep an eye on him and ask any questions at all that you might have. Congrats on your new friend, enjoy him!

"Dance like nobody's watching..."

 

[plumsmum2005]

Agreeing about vet asap. The issue might hopefully be imitation. The wife's bird imitates my heavy breathing (from the exercise bike, okay?) , coughing, sneezing. Good luck with your new bird.

LMAO! "from the exercise bike,ok??" Ok Mr Rival..no need to explain!

Jim

No, not convinced either Mr Rival

 

[plumsmum2005]

I'm so glad he checked out OK, and hopefully the Chlamydia test is negative as well. Please keep a close watch on him though, and if his breathing gets more labored or he shows any other outward symptoms, such as liquid coming from his nostrils or mouth/beak, sneezing, coughing, frequently being "fluffed up", being less active and more lethargic, sleeping a lot, eating or drinking less, not eating at all, or noticeable​ weight loss, or abnormal droppings that are loose, watery, colored abnormally without a diet change, sitting at the bottom of his cage, etc. then you'll need to get him back to his avian vet immediately for a nostril/throat/crop culture. As Scott has already stated, birds in the wild instinctively hide all outward signs of illness or injury because they will be perceived as a weak and easy target for predators and they are often abandoned by their flock because they want to protect themselves and not draw attention to themselves. Pet birds retain these instincts fully, so usually by the time a pet bird shows any outward signs or symptoms of illness that we would perceive as being small, the bird has actually been sick for quite some time and is at that point extremely, seriously sick and needs medical treatment ASAP as they go downhill extremely quickly at that point.

Just keep an eye on him and ask any questions at all that you might have. Congrats on your new friend, enjoy him!

"Dance like nobody's watching..."

As EllenD has explained by taking the step to call/go to the AV even when there is doubt in your mind CAN save your birds life. If you can catch it early there is less chance of something really taking hold and for a positive outcome. Thanks for taking this step.

 

[GaleriaGila]

The Rival is hiding out now and belly-laughing privately.

GREAT NEWS so far here!

 

[ppogo]

I'm glad I took him to the vet. I actually have an exotic avian vet down the street from me and they have an emergency clinic as well so that's very convenient. His test also came up negative, which I'm happy about.

Thank you all for such useful information. Always good to learn from people who are more experienced

 

[jaxyk]

Is it more like a consistent, heavy respiration? Or short little huffs? I ask because one of our GCCs, Kermit, when he's on my shoulder, huffs. He doesn't do it on my husband. We've figured out this is excitement - he gets a little overstimulated/excited when he's riding with me, like, "holy cow I'm thisclose to her and I love her and I don't know what to do". It was definitely worrying at first, but just part of his quirky charm now.