Chronic Sickness? Allergies? Help...

I'm not sure if anyone can shed some insight, but any info would be so helpful! I've had a turquoise gcc for 4 months now, so he's just about 8 months old. I noticed that since I got him, he was constantly scratching at his face and sneezing with clear discharge. A month in to having him I woke up and he had mucus from his nose all down his beak (not clear), labored breathing, clicking when breathing, etc. I immediately took him to the vet. She said his lungs sounded fine but could see my concern, and put him on Baytril.

Once that was done it was within a couple of days before the nasal discharge came back. I took him back to the vet, she did a nasal flush, cytology and culture. Results were there were plant particles seen through the microscope, the cytology came back as staph and the culture was negative for fungal. He has been on Baytril for the second round & an anti fungal since April 19, 2020 and hes still like a snotty toddler. He has days where he is fine, but if he over exerts himself more then usual he will instantly be panting, lethargic and you'll see the mucus start building up it his nose. The nasal discharge is clear, but I don't know what to do for him. His appetite is fine, he's alert, weight is staying the same give or take .5g, he's his usual self unless hes exerts himself and then he wants to be by himself.

I have a HEPA filter running at all times, I have taken all toys that could make dust or irritating particles. I sift his seed to get out any extra particles, and give him only what he eats so hes not shoving his head in his seed bowl in search of the seed he likes. (I'm assuming that the plant particles found in his culture were from the seed bowl because he doesn't come in contact with plants)

Sorry for the novel. I'm at a loss of what to do, and I love my little guy. I appreciate any help or info!

I am not too sure if I can be of any help but I can share the symptoms of my peach head. Kiwi is extremely vocal (she never stops, even at night) and I feel she always breathes through her mouth. I also felt that the sound she makes is somewhat like a wheezing sound. I took her to the vet like you did and I was also told that her lungs are fine but she has a slight breathing difficulty. She sneezes often, but without any discharge. She is a rehomed parrot and I really have no clue if she is always like this (I have her only for ten days). I am over-concerned and tried to read as much as I could about these symptoms. The medicine prescribed by the vet to be honest is not really helpful.
I have started giving Kiwi very low dosage of antihistamine (children specific liquid ones), about 0.1 ml, once a day. It seems to help. She is a bit drowsy but her sneezing has reduced. I feel her breathing is a bit smoother as well. But it is only the second day. We have hay fever season in the UK right now. I feel she might be allergic to pollen as well. I can understand your concern. Hope your buddy gets well soon.

Thank you for the info! I feel the same way about the medicine, but my vet said it takes a long time for it to get into their systems so I'm trying to be patient. Did your vet suggest the antihistamine? I was thinking it was allergies too but when I asked my vet about it she said there aren't studies that show that birds can have them...but my core is saying that allergies is what is causing it. I hope Kiwi feels better too!

Are you using any cleaners, scents, or care products in the home? Essential oils, candles, plug-ins, perfumes, air fresheners, and standard household cleaners can irritate their lungs and cause long-term damage, so consider that if you haven't. No smoking, vaping, non-stick pans or anything like that either (even though Teflon is often deadly--not just mildly irritation).

If it isn't allergies or something else, it possibly could be a chronic form of aspergillosis, and the only way to diagnose that is by eliminating everything else (in many cases) as white blood cells will often look normal in a bird who has been sick with it for a long time. Are you able to ask the previous owner about the symptoms to see if they were ongoing?

Good luck with getting to the bottom of it!

In case you decide you might want a second veterinary opinion...


In case you need a link to profssional veterinary help...
Certified Avian Vets
https://abvp.com/animal-owners/find-an-abvp-specialist/
If none are near you...
Avian Veterinarians
http://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803
In my opinion, any of the vets listed here should be better than a regular vet.
International contacts, too.
Or... sometimes I find a place to start just by Googling "avian veterinarian near ((your location))"


Good luck to you!

Bloodwork might not be a bad idea. Extra vitamin A may also be beneficial.

Does your bird eat anything besides seeds?

MonicaMc said:

Bloodwork might not be a bad idea. Extra vitamin A may also be beneficial.

Does your bird eat anything besides seeds?

Click to expand...

My vet said that they would have to put him under for blood so I'm hesitant to do that. I've been giving poly-vi-sol 5mls a day for a vitamin supplement by mouth. He only eats safflower seeds occasionally sunflower, and roudybush pellets.

The edges of his feathers have turned black so I'm not sure if that's from him not feeling good or something with his diet.

If he's not eating fresh foods then he could easily be lacking in a healthy diet.

You might want to find another vet that can draw blood without putting the bird under. My own vet has done this multiple times with my own birds - drawing blood from the jugular vein.

My bird has never had to be put under for blood. I think you could find a different vet that wouldn't require that.

Thanks for the help guys I really appreciate it! I will definitely look for another vet!