Seed stuck in nares/nostril?

Urgh, somehow Alex has gotten a bit of millet stuck in one of his nostrils. I noticed occasional heavy exhaling and him scratching at one side of his face, and yep, a seed. Is their any way to help him dislodge it? I hear it happens sometimes. He's as happy as ever, just occasionally taking a few mins to attack the nostril with his foot!

This happened to my GCC conure once and the seed was red. I moistened a Q tip and touched it to the seed and luckily it stayed on the cotton.

Thanks Spirit, I'll give that a shot! If it's not gone in 2 days I'll be taking him to the vet. We're due for a checkup and going anyway, so they can get it out for him.

did you get it out? the vet flushed out martys nose when he was sneezing so im sure they can get it out

If you put your bird in the shower with you and get his head wet, he will sneeze a few times to flush out his nostrils, along with anything in them . Birds do clean them by sneezing water out.

Thanks guys

Qtip didn't get it ): He showers with me pretty regularly, so I'll shower him tonight. I'd do it now, but I'm not home! ): He has been sneezing occasionally, but hasn't dislodged it as of yet.

I'm booking him into the vets anyway. We need a checkup and a beak and nail trim, so if I can't get it out, I'll get the vet to flush it as suggested

Tried the shower, still no luck, but we are booked into the vets for next Thurs for Alex's check up and trim, so if it's not gone by then they can flush it I don't like the occasional snort/heavy breath he does to try and dislodge it. It makes me uneasy. Even though I can see what's causing the issue it puts me on edge! I think I'm going to get a nasal swab done also, just in case the occasional heavy breath is not related to the seed. Better safe then sorry!

let us know how everything goes! im sure its nothing more then the seed bugging him but like you said better safe then sorry

Good idea to take him to the vet. It can become infected and abscess affecting the eye. If it starts to swell, or he starts to act 'sick' get him to vet asap.

Quick update, went to vets today, had it removed along with a beak and nail trim, worm and general check up. I explained the occasional heavy breathing (which he didn't exhibit at the vets) and how it only happens when he is relaxed/chattering. Their was nothing to take a swab of in his nostrils (no discharge) and he is in perfect condition (at a very healthy weight, the vet was very impressed, last time he was slightly underweight, which was a diet issue with the pellets, not enough nutrition for him in them... We're now on a seed, pellet and dried fruit mix, with daily fresh fruit and treats. I'm glad to say he is doing MUCH better on it )

He still does the heavy breath/sigh occasionally, when he is happy and chattering. I think the vet is right in that it is a behavioural thing (He chirps and plays and does this at the same time, and never any other time then when he is happy/content) and he's just enjoying himself. I'm keeping an eye on it, and as long as it stays confined to those happy playful moments, I'll be happy

So, all is well on our end, and thanks for the advice guys It did take us a week to get an appointment (I didn't want to go as an emergency unless it was one!) but all done now

Amber said:

Quick update, went to vets today, had it removed along with a beak and nail trim, worm and general check up.

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Worm???? What do you mean?

Echo said:

Amber said:

Quick update, went to vets today, had it removed along with a beak and nail trim, worm and general check up.

Click to expand...

Worm???? What do you mean?

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Wormed, like you would worm a dog or cat as a preventative measure. I have my vet do it as I would rather an exact dose be given by a professional, rather then try to approximate a dosage diluted in drinking water that may or may not be effective myself. Alex has contact with other birds regularly, and much like dogs or cats with contact with others of their own kind, this is a preventative measure for us, and a courtesy to the other parrots owners. All pets carry a parasite load (worms!) of some sort, you know. And it's invisible unless it gets severe. It's part of our responsibility as their caretakers to keep it as low as possible via worming. Alex also has issues with weight (He's slightly skinny, it's hard to keep him at a decent weight), so if he did manage to accumulate a high parasite load somehow, it could be a problem. Preventative measure.

Not many avian vets worm companion birds where I live in USA. I know it is done in other countries.

Spiritbird said:

Not many avian vets worm companion birds where I live in USA. I know it is done in other countries.

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It's not all that common here either, but I had issues with Alex being underweight when he was weaning, and while not related to parasites at all (It was a nutrition problem/not enough fat or energy in the pellets I was giving him as a staple) he's always been on the slim side, so I don't want to risk an infection hindering his ability to utilise/digest his food

Plus, Australia is a parrot haven. We have wild rosellas, galahs and cockies that LOVE to try and get up close and personal with companion parrots when they are outside (In a cage, of course) and they do carry some yuckies, sadly.

Not common to worm birds here in the USA like Spiritbird said. However it is true that we don't have such a wildlife like you do in Australia. Always wanted to go there!

It's nice Echo, until you have a flock of sulphur crested on your roof pulling up the tin! On out current house (near a river where they nest) they managed to work a few tiles loose!

We also have gallahs and little corellas near that house. Seasonally we get grass parrots, eastern rosellas, red rumps, and some parrotlet looking thing I haven't bothered I.Ding yet, amongst other less frequent visitors. All, unfortunatley, tens to be their around the time I am home on holidays. Which is when Alex is there. And a foreign parrot in their territory, especially one that looks different to what usually hangs around, attracts attention. Even when inside, the braver birds will get up and look through the window at him!

This wouldn't be a problem, if I wasn't worried about disease transmission from those birds to him. Beyond the obvious worms and stuff, beak and feather is rife amongst wild too populations here. We have a screened in area in the making, so that will keep them away from him in future. My old cat also does help scare them off, but I still worry.