Lucky sick - warning graphic photo

I have not wanted to make this post but I guess I should.

Last week (Monday) I came home from work to find Luck looking like this.

Lucky-sick by wes mcfaden, on Flickr

He was shaking his head a lot and sneezing more than normal to go along with the bloody nostrils.

Went to the vet first thing in the morning. Unsurprising to me my vet checked for gram - bacteria (and found some).
This seems to be his "go to" move for every problem.

I have been giving Lucky antibiotics every day since Tuesday and was told to continue for 10 days.
He is not shaking his head so much or sneezing to often and no further blood coming from his nose. I guess that means he is improving.

There are 2 ways he could have got a bloody nose that have nothing to do with infection.

He could have done it to himself with his toe claws scratching himself.

Baby his partner could have been preening Lucky and injured him with his beak.
I did not see any blood on Baby's beak or on Lucky's toes.

I asked the vet directly if the bacteria could have caused a bloody nose and he said yes.

I don't know. If anyone out there has had a similar problem I would like to hear about it.



Lucky is at least 18 years old but now way to know exact age cuz I found him out loose where I was working in 2001

Aw, poor Lucky. No experience with bloody noses but hoping that antibiotics take care of it.

I don't know what to advice Wes...never had to deal with something like that with any of my kids. Scratching himself or his buddy inadvertently giving him a chomp sounds possible

Sounds like Lucky is improving..


Jim

Well, a few years ago I had a problem with Baby's nose bleeding just a little bit when he flew and hit the wall really fast as I left his cage door open, but I comforted him for awhile and thought of cornstarch. He was fine afterwards. Seems as though as you went to the vet, that Lucky is improving and with a prognosis and with antibiotics. I'm wishing for a good "Lucky" recovery for him to get better! Please keep us posted.

I know little sorry on this but it always looks way worse than it is when our noses bleed so hopefuly this is no big deal. Wishing your lil guy the best x

Good grief, that would be scary, I hope Lucky continues to improve. Given the bloodiness appears equal both sides, I'd guess it is related to the infection. Antibiotics, wonder drugs!

Good judgement posting "graphic" but the image is appropriate and a learning experience for other members.

Take a look at the nails. It is very possible that an interior cut(s) did happen. Blood from the nostrils of a Parrot, compared to Humans is very rare. Add to that your location (no fires currently, right?) and that drops the likelihood way down.

Bacteria as part of the cut(s) can happen quickly and present as part of the test.
The antibiotics is a great idea. An infection that close to the brain becomes dangerous quickly.

Blood from deeper would be very serious and this conversation would be very different if that was true.

I'm placing my hat on a self-inflected cut within the nostril(s).

Seems VERY unlikely that he did it to himself just for the fact that's it's on both nostrils.

They could just be inflamed which antibiotics will clear up. This could be caused by just getting water stuck up there or something small like that x

Wes, Lucky has done this himself by inserting his claw into his I will call it his nostril probably because he is struggling to breathe. Good job on the antibiotics but you can also take Lucky into a room and steam it well. Do it often. It should help and advice given to me by my AV

Please have a look at the living environment to see if there are any irritants that can be causing this? Is it vacuumed often to remove dust etc? Any signs of dampness anywhere? Do you have an air purifier, and that it is up to the job of the space to be cleaned? Are the papers on the cage bottom kept in a dry and dust free place? Any chance of some fresh air for Lucky?

Get well little Lucky!

plumsmum2005 said:

Wes, Lucky has done this himself by inserting his claw into his I will call it his nostril probably because he is struggling to breathe. Good job on the antibiotics but you can also take Lucky into a room and steam it well. Do it often. It should help and advice given to me by my AV

Please have a look at the living environment to see if there are any irritants that can be causing this? Is it vacuumed often to remove dust etc? Any signs of dampness anywhere? Do you have an air purifier, and that it is up to the job of the space to be cleaned? Are the papers on the cage bottom kept in a dry and dust free place? Any chance of some fresh air for Lucky?

Get well little Lucky!

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Some good ideas there, thanks.
Humidity is low now, like 25% . It's even bothering my nasel passages.
I can move humidifier into the Tiels room.
With 8 Tiels dust is unavoidable. I have a HEPA air filter but never thought of using it there.
After coming back from vet I gave their cage an extra through cleaning, mostly aimed at removing all poop. I did not want them re exposing themselves to bacteria through there fecies.

Can you take Lucky into a steamy shower room?

Relative Humidity of 25 is low and I can understand that you're feeling the effect. Not sure why I was believing that you where closer to the Ocean, sorry. Keep forgetting that California has vast variations in weather related conditions.

We target 45% in the Winter here in the Great White North.

Really, like all of Plums' Mom's recommendations.

Poor little guy I've never heard of a bird having a non-injury related nosebleed before. I bet he did somehow accidentally do this to himself. Good thing he's on antibiotics so any infection is caught before it becomes too bad. Hope he's feeling better today!

plumsmum2005 said:

Can you take Lucky into a steamy shower room?

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I can with difficulty. Baby loves the shower but Lucky hates it.
Only way to gethim in bathroom is to grab him and take him in there.
Since I have to grab him anyway to give medicine I guess I could take him into the shower right after.

SailBoat said:

Relative Humidity of 25 is low and I can understand that you're feeling the effect. Not sure why I was believing that you where closer to the Ocean, sorry. Keep forgetting that California has vast variations in weather related conditions.

We target 45% in the Winter here in the Great White North.

Really, like all of Plums' Mom's recommendations.

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I am in the high desert (Antelope Valley) so even when it rains in "SoCal" I don't nessisaraly get rain. Mountain block alot of the storms that come in from the coast.
The

No advice e, just a Get Well Soon, Lucky !!

Bumping you back up Wes....how is Lucky doing today??




Jim

Took him into the shower with Baby (of course).
Baby loved the shower, it's been years since I have done that. normally it's just a misty bath.

also moved humidifier into the Tiels room.

Lucky is shaking his head less but still does it more often than my other Tiels.
No more blood. Active and playing/flying normally.
He may never trust me again from giving him medicine every day.
texsize

texsize said:

Took him into the shower with Baby (of course).
Baby loved the shower, it's been years since I have done that. normally it's just a misty bath.

also moved humidifier into the Tiels room.

Lucky is shaking his head less but still does it more often than my other Tiels.
No more blood. Active and playing/flying normally.
He may never trust me again from giving him medicine every day.
texsize

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Welcome to my World! As you know, they will Trust you again, it will only take a bunch more time, then it took to lose that Trust!