Cockatoo Nostril question

Gigi

New member
Nov 15, 2013
2
0
USA
Parrots
African grey, citron crested, sulphur crested
I had a big long post but somehow it got deleted so I will keep this short and answer any other question if anyone has any. I have an about 20 year old sulphur created that I took in from an older lady. She got him from her son, whose wife brought him home from the pet store she worked at. The woman's son and husband would tease him through the cage, so he grew to viciously hate and attack men. The woman was the only one who could handle him and she could have him out when men were in the house so he was locked up in his cage for most of his life. She thought she was giving him the best care she could, but she never took him in the shower so he could only clean himself with his drinking water. Luckily he never plucked so he is fully feathered. Anyway, when I was finally able to take him home he had large flakes of skin/dirt over his nostrils. With showering one side has cleared up but the other still looks swollen. There is nothing the vet will do because it isn't an illness and he can still breath. What I want to know is if anyone has had this happen to their bird and what you did. Does he just need more showers? Or will it be permanent due to living in a dusty cage for so long. Even with all of the showers I give him he still is much dustier than my citron crested.
 
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Maria_Metropolis

New member
Nov 12, 2013
501
2
Parrots
White Face Cinnamon Pearl Pied Cockatiel - "Muffin"

Hatch Date: October 4th, 2013
RIP July 4, 2014
I had a big long post but somehow it got deleted so I will keep this short and answer any other question if anyone has any. I have an about 20 year old sulphur created that I took in from an older lady. She got him from her son, whose wife brought him home from the pet store she worked at. The woman's son and husband would tease him through the cage, so he grew to viciously hate and attack men. The woman was the only one who could handle him and she could have him out when men were in the house so he was locked up in his cage for most of his life. She thought she was giving him the best care she could, but she never took him in the shower so he could only clean himself with his drinking water. Luckily he never plucked so he is fully feathered. Anyway, when I was finally able to take him home he had large flakes of skin/dirt over his nostrils. With showering one side has cleared up but the other still looks swollen. There is nothing the vet will do because it isn't an illness and he can still breath. What I want to know is if anyone has had this happen to their bird and what you did. Does he just need more showers? Or will it be permanent due to living in a dusty cage for so long. Even with all of the showers I give him he still is much dustier than my citron crested.

Wow, sounds like the bird has a respiratory issue, or a cold or even an infection. I remember when my umbrella too would get flakes in his nostrils, the vet prescribed drops for that. It's been a long time though in my case, as I haven't had my too in 7 years. Is your vet a qualified avian vet? Please make sure they take care of that as it may be hard for him to breathe.

BTW, in my experience, showers don't take away the dander and dust from toos. He was always dusty because it was just a natural part of his makeup, and it has something to do with feather health if I remember correctly. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I used to give my too showers all the time as well. In your case, just because the bird is dusty shouldn't really have anything to do with the nostrils being clogged like that.
 
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Gigi

Gigi

New member
Nov 15, 2013
2
0
USA
Parrots
African grey, citron crested, sulphur crested
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I will talk to the vet and ask abou the drops. He is breathing fine, health is good and eating and drinking normally. That's why he wasn't too concerned. As for the dust, I was told cockatoos are naturally dustier than other parrots, it's just that in comparison with my other 'too, he has a lot more. If I wear a dark shirt he leaves dust rubs all over my shirt and face.
 

Maria_Metropolis

New member
Nov 12, 2013
501
2
Parrots
White Face Cinnamon Pearl Pied Cockatiel - "Muffin"

Hatch Date: October 4th, 2013
RIP July 4, 2014
I will talk to the vet and ask abou the drops. He is breathing fine, health is good and eating and drinking normally. That's why he wasn't too concerned. As for the dust, I was told cockatoos are naturally dustier than other parrots, it's just that in comparison with my other 'too, he has a lot more. If I wear a dark shirt he leaves dust rubs all over my shirt and face.

Oh yes, toos and dark clothing do not mix well. You end up looking like you were baking with a ton of flour by the time you're done with them. ;)

He really enjoyed when I preened him, especially his head feathers, and that makes a ton of dust, but it's a necessity with toos as they don't have a mate that can do it for them, so they rely on you. I preened my too a lot, which may have something to do with why he looked so beautiful. His feathers looked great.

He would get an occasional piece of dust in his nose that the vet or I would very very carefully pick out. I used to keep an eye on his nostrils a lot, but a swollen nostril doesn't sound normal. Again, we had drops for it, which may be necessary. I remember how he would sneeze when we put in the drops (it was cute).
 

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