I think Nalani is sick

[moni.k]

Today I got back from my morning class and took Nalani outside as usual. I noticed she was sneezing excessively... and when I mean excessive I literally mean non stop sneeze attacks. So I looked to see if there was something bugging her by her nostrils and her feathers around the area is soaked in mucus. All I could do was wipe it down with a warm, moist cotton towel but her sneezing is still continuing. Her appetite is still good, her droppings look normal, she's alert and active.

Here's just a small history on Nalani:
September 2012 I did a full avian disease testing on Nalani and the results came back negative for all the diseases.
December 2013 Nalani had her first vet visit which included a gram stain, general wellness exam, her first set of the polyoma vaccine and microchipping.
January of 2013 was her last vet visit. She had a full blood panel done along with recheck on her gram stain, a polyoma vaccine booster and a general wellness exam (her gram negatives were a bit high before). All was well, and she was given a clean bill of health.

This last March 17 there was a Bird Mart that I attended at Pomona, Nalani of course stayed home. I purchased bag loads of toys for her and a few perches. I sprayed all of her paper/shreddable/wood toys down with a vinegar and hydrogen peroxide solution, and soaked the plastic foraging toys in a diluted bleach solution. Maybe the toys were not fully disinfected before I put them in her cage? Is sneezing one of the symptoms of an avian disease?

So just a few minutes ago, I called my avian vet only to find out the she went on vacation and won't be back until next week!! I work as a veterinary technician at a small animal practice and know a few other avian vets, but I question their experience and knowledge ability. Dr. Tamara is the only vet I trust with Nalani and she isn't here. I am having a panic attack!! I don't want to take her to a vet who has no history with Nalani and pay hundreds of dollars for an emergency exotic fee and treatment with a vet who lacks experience. Does anyone live in the Los Angeles area that can recommend me to a reliable, experienced avian vet??

Sorry I'm rambling any advice will help me here.

 

[Jtbirds]

Well firstly I am surprised about the vaccine... My vet says absolutely not because they cause more harm then good. So I'm not sure what your vet has in mind for it but I'd like to hear his reasoning so I can understand more about that aspect( like to know all this so I can work best in rescue and so on).

Eclectus are very prone to respiratory issues and this sounds like what it may be. They are very sensitive to dust of all types. I don't believe you did anything wrong with the toys, personally I don't even go that far once I bring home toys never had an issue yet.

As far as I know sneezing is not a huge symptom of an avian disease it may be a side affect but not a major symptom. This really sounds respiratory related which would explain why she is still in good health otherwise(eating, droppings good, etc..)

Unless you can find another vet in your area that you trust I dont know how to help you much. I don't feel safe saying wait a week because that is just risky to me. In a respiratory issue I've always flushed nares and so on, but this is something a vet needs to teach you as you can asspirate them by doing this. I'd wait and see what others have to say, but I'm leaning towards respiratory, but then again I'm only a tech in Training not anywhere near an avianvet.

As well if she is acting fine and this doesn't change I don't believe it is a major like going to die in 24 hours emergency. Keep monitoring it is all I can offer ATM or research respiratory infections in eclectus and see what some avian vets may have put online.

 

[moni.k]

The vet had told me that the polyomavirus was contractible to eclectus all throughout their life (but most common amongst younger birds) and recommended the vaccine. However, she did mention that it wasn't really necessary in my situation since Nalani is kept indoors and doesn't come in contact with other birds. I went ahead and chose to vaccinate Nalani more as a precautionary measure for the future since I am hoping to expand my flock.

here's a link on some info on the polyomavirus and its relation to eclectus (even though eclectus are only mentioned briefly)
PBFD & Polyoma Virus

As for the avian vet, I'm waiting to hear back from a friend who worked for a great doctor. Hopefully we can pinpoint his location.

 

[sodakat]

Are there lots of flowering trees or shrubs in your area? You said she started sneezing after you took her outside, correct?

 

[moni.k]

There are bushes lining the yard and a few rose shrub along with a lemon tree.

She's always sneezed a little bit more than usual. I had brought it up in January when Nalani went to the vet. She recommended a humidifier, because of California's dry desert heat, irritation and dryness can cause more frequent sneezes. But she's never had mucus coming out like today.

 

[MonicaMc]

You could try clearing out her nostrils using a saline solution and/or giving her a really good bath/taking her into a steamy hot bathroom.

Beyond that, keep an eye on her for any other issues and see if there is anything that could be triggering it (i.e. allergies, pollen, etc).

 

[Peeker]

My first thought is a millet seed in the sinus or allergies? I would try giving her a shower in the hopes the water would help. Then keep close eye on her.

 

[moni.k]

She's never had millet seeds, it's not offered in her diet whatsoever. I am tempted to do a flush, but I've never done it with a bird... so I think I'll just hold off on that for the professionals to handle. But thanks for the suggestion on the nice steamy bath. I'm gonna definitely get to that today and see if it helps. I brought her in and her sneezing lessened a great deal. However, she is still sneezing about once every minute or two.

I just called another avian vet and he said it's most likely a reaction due to pollen or dust. He doesn't think its at all an emergency if she's eating normal, active and her droppings haven't shown any drastic changes, he suggests to keep an eye on her. If it continues until tomorrow than a general exam may be necessary. I'm just glad he wasn't trying to hustle me into paying an emergency exam fee which can cost 150 at this clinic compared to 95 for a general exam.

Whew, I feel a sigh of relief. I was so scared and worried for that moment, just reading your suggestions and talking to the vet helped get me level headed again. I don't feel completely helpless now that I have some direction and reassurance.

 

[lpolliard]

Chico sneezes only after a thorough shower and water gets in his nose. I now try to shield his head under the shower head. He will sneeze as you described and I will see liquid, not mucus, in his feathers seeping down from a ceres, usually one side not both. It clears up in about an hour.

 

[drlisaort]

Moni.k, how scary for you especially with your vet out on vacation. Oliver sneezes from time to time when he goes out for sun and after a shower. I can tell you when I was in Vegas (just got home this morning) I sneezed the whole time because it's so dry. Perhaps the vet you spoke to is on to something.

 

[sodakat]

An allergic reaction to something outside is why I asked about flowering bushes that might be pollinating this time of year.

 

[Jtbirds]

Oh soda didn't think of that... That could be.

I wouldn't try a flush before you are shown how to you can kill the bird by getting to much fluid in there lungs(I'm sure you know this from being a tech with other animals)

The hot steamy shower sounds like a great idea, but still keep an eye on it.

 

[moni.k]

haha. Yea, I wouldn't risk doing a flush and having her aspirate some of the solution. That would make matters way worse.

I didn't give her a bath, didn't want to risk getting water in her nose and irritating it more. But I did let her sit in the steam and it seemed to have helped. Her sneezing lessened greatly, almost till normal. When I put her to bed I didn't notice any more mucus coming out of the nose, so that was a relief. I think it did have to do with allergies to the pollen or dust. No more outside time for a little bit. Luckily she's showing improvement. If she continues to show progression, I don't think a vet exam will be necessary. It's definitely linked to the outdoors, whatever it was... like sodakat mentioned, her sneezing began when she was outside.

 

[Bronte]

Billy gets sneezing fits, i figured it was when someone is wearing perfume, or body spray that come near him.
Very sensitive noses!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[moni.k]

So today, I've been keeping a close eye and her and she's returned back to her normal, silly self. Her sneeze frequency is back to normal (once every few hours). I turned up the humidifier to 15 minutes every hour and I think that helped. Now I'm a bit worried to take her outside... Any suggestions on how to pinpoint what could have caused the sneeze attacks yesterday? and how I can prevent it without locking Nalani inside 7 days a week. Maybe I'm just being a little too paranoid.