Greenwing Panting

fregley

New member
May 11, 2013
23
0
Glasgow, Scotland
Parrots
Greenwing macaw
Hi everyone, I'm Karen from Glasgow and I have a beautiful male Greenwing called Fregley, he's 15 months old.

I was just wondering if anyone has experienced the same problems that I'm having with him.

A few months ago he starting panting after eating his dinner ( he gets fresh fruit and veg twice daily plus ad-lib seed and pellets ), it was just like he was out of breath from exercising.
He's always sounded a bit nasal at night since we got him and has the occassional sneeze but up until then no breathing problems.
His breathing gradually returned to normal and I decided not to consult a vet at but would if it happened again.

Well, 5 weeks ago my husband rang me while I was at work and told me that Freg was on the bottom of his cage, unable to perch and gasping so I rushed home and took him to the vet immediately.
They nebulised him, gave him anti-inflammatries and Baytril, he stayed overnight and had blood tests and xrays.
His white cell count was 27000 and his spleen was enlarged, also an infection showing in one of his air sacs.
He came home with 14 days worth of Baytril and 32 days worth of Sporanox anti-fungal granules.

Blood test results came back negative for all major infections and his check-up last Wednesday showed his white cell count to be a healthy 12000 and the vet discharged him.

Then, I returned home today to find him puffed up and panting again.
I took him into the bathroom and put the shower on for humidity and he improved with this.
The vet said it could be an allergic reaction to something but I haven't changed anything in his food for a while except I gave him a chunk of melon with the rind still on - he never had this last time though.
And his toys haven't changed for a while, they haven't been completely destroyed yet.

Has anyone else experienced this and does it sound like an allergic reaction?
I trust my vet, he is very well known and very highly recommended but can't seem to give me a diagnosis.
I really don't want to go down the line of having Fregley cut open to investigate but if that's what it takes I'll have to.

I really thought we'd sorted this when his infection showed as clear, it's really worrying me and poor Freg isn't happy either.
I've read that macaws are prone to allergies but can't find much info on the subject, could anyone help me out a bit with causes and symptoms?

Sorry about the long essay for my first post and thanks in advance to anyone who replies.

Karen
x
 

SandyBee

New member
Oct 5, 2012
1,455
1
Coquitlam BC, Canada
Parrots
DYH Amazon-Rescue- Bosley (36),
African Brown head-Rescue- August(9)
Hi Karen and welcome.

Sorry to hear that your baby is having issues.
I don't have personal experience but it does sound like a possible allergic reaction. I'm sure that some more experienced than I will be along shortly. What I do know though is that if allergies are suspected that elimination is key. Offer foods one at atime imstead of mixes, paying very careful attention to reactions. Often certain seeds, grains and nuts are the culprits. Even if you fed in the past doesn't matter as allergies can worsen over time.
 

JerseyWendy

New member
Jul 20, 2012
20,995
24
Hi again, Karen. :)

Sandy is spot on with her advice.

I truly hope you can figure out what is causing your baby's episodes. It must be SO very scary for you. :(
 
OP
fregley

fregley

New member
May 11, 2013
23
0
Glasgow, Scotland
Parrots
Greenwing macaw
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #4
Thanks for your replies, I did think he was choking at first but when Freg was in overnight I had a very lengthy conversation with my vet and he suggested then a possible allergic reaction.

Freg is now back to normal again, a bit worn out but breathing normal thankfully.

I also considered rhinnitis as although he was panting, he was drawing air in ok through his mouth it was just through his nose that he was struggling and it eased off after being in the bathroom with the shower on.
His nostrils are clear, no clogging or discharge and no sign of any seeds in there.

I'll definitely seperate his food now and see if he reacts to anything, he gets Kaytee rainbow chunky mixed in with his seed is there any known problems with these pellets?

Thanks again for your advice and concern and yes, I'm worried sick about him he's made such an impact in my life and I'd be devastated to lose him.
 

SandyBee

New member
Oct 5, 2012
1,455
1
Coquitlam BC, Canada
Parrots
DYH Amazon-Rescue- Bosley (36),
African Brown head-Rescue- August(9)
I don't know anything specific about the pellets, I know Kaytee did do some product recalls not too long ago. Do a internet search and you will get the list. I dont recall pellets being on it but it would be wise to check.
Keep being very vigilant and working with your vet to find the source of the problem. These beautiful creatures sure do impact our lives and steal our hearts. Wishing you all the best.
 
OP
fregley

fregley

New member
May 11, 2013
23
0
Glasgow, Scotland
Parrots
Greenwing macaw
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #6
I don't know anything specific about the pellets, I know Kaytee did do some product recalls not too long ago. Do a internet search and you will get the list. I dont recall pellets being on it but it would be wise to check.
Keep being very vigilant and working with your vet to find the source of the problem. These beautiful creatures sure do impact our lives and steal our hearts. Wishing you all the best.

Thanks again Sandy, I really appreciate your replies.
I'll do a search and see what Kaytee recalled.
My avian vet is fantastic, he really takes time to explain things and is great with animals hopefully we'll be able to pinpoint this sooner rather than later.
 

weco

New member
Nov 24, 2010
3,342
12
USA
Parrots
Nanday, suns, parrotlet, Patagonian
While you're delving into his foodstuffs, have you changed laundry powders or fabric softeners lately or have you changed fragrances, hair sprays or deodorants.....all can affect a bird.....
 
OP
fregley

fregley

New member
May 11, 2013
23
0
Glasgow, Scotland
Parrots
Greenwing macaw
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #8
While you're delving into his foodstuffs, have you changed laundry powders or fabric softeners lately or have you changed fragrances, hair sprays or deodorants.....all can affect a bird.....

Hi, no, nothing has changed regarding household detergents etc.
I never use aerosols, deodorant is a roll-on and washing detergent is my usual brand.
He does like to "help" me put the dry washing away but hasn't been near any since Tuesday.
I clean his cage, perches and toys with a sponge and hot water, his food and water bowls get cleaned a couple of times daily with washing up liquid but I rinse them thoroughly before using them.
I use a vegetable wash on his fruit and veg, again this is rinsed thoroughly.
I don't use air fresheners either.

The only thing I can think of household may be the oven, he goes everywhere with me, sitting on my shoulder and I preheat the oven ( empty ) when he's with me - could there be anything harmful in the ovens internal coating? All of my trays and pans are stainless steel, I don't think I have anything teflon.
 

SandyBee

New member
Oct 5, 2012
1,455
1
Coquitlam BC, Canada
Parrots
DYH Amazon-Rescue- Bosley (36),
African Brown head-Rescue- August(9)
Hi Karen,

The forum here is fantastic and everyone just truly wants to help. Environment should be looked at as well including outside weather conditions eg more pollen in air.
Oven can have issue such as Teflon and if New or self cleaning function has caused problems.
It may help to keep a diary of food and conditions as you go along, that way if you notice something it may be easier to read history than relying on memory.
 
OP
fregley

fregley

New member
May 11, 2013
23
0
Glasgow, Scotland
Parrots
Greenwing macaw
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #10
Hi Karen,

The forum here is fantastic and everyone just truly wants to help. Environment should be looked at as well including outside weather conditions eg more pollen in air.
Oven can have issue such as Teflon and if New or self cleaning function has caused problems.
It may help to keep a diary of food and conditions as you go along, that way if you notice something it may be easier to read history than relying on memory.

I've had some excellent advice and really do appreciate it, I should've joined sooner!!
I never thought of pollen, it was raining yesterday ( and today too ) so pollen would've been low.

One thing I didn't consider was the chain around his cage door ( little monster knows how to escape lol!! ) It was a brass chain and he played with it all the time, I've now changed it to a steel chain as I'm not sure if there could be a reaction to him licking the brass.

He's back to normal again today, currently destroying a new swing haha :D
 

JerseyWendy

New member
Jul 20, 2012
20,995
24
It's GREAT to hear that Fregley is doing so well today. I LOVE the name, by the way. :D

I know both my big macs will get into anything and everything, and I often can't believe WHAT they managed to open/disassemble. :eek: You know the quicklinks you can use to hang toys with? I have to actually use pliers to tighten them, as hand tightening only results in falling toys. And I'm frantic when I see one of them half or fully open as their beaks can get caught.

Ripley, my GW, also bends stainless rings that I use at the end of toys. :54:

I will have my fingers AND toes crossed for you that you can SOON figure out what triggers Fregley's episodes, Karen. :)
 
OP
fregley

fregley

New member
May 11, 2013
23
0
Glasgow, Scotland
Parrots
Greenwing macaw
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #12
It's GREAT to hear that Fregley is doing so well today. I LOVE the name, by the way. :D

I know both my big macs will get into anything and everything, and I often can't believe WHAT they managed to open/disassemble. :eek: You know the quicklinks you can use to hang toys with? I have to actually use pliers to tighten them, as hand tightening only results in falling toys. And I'm frantic when I see one of them half or fully open as their beaks can get caught.

Ripley, my GW, also bends stainless rings that I use at the end of toys. :54:

I will have my fingers AND toes crossed for you that you can SOON figure out what triggers Fregley's episodes, Karen. :)


They're SOOOO persistant when they want something aren't they!! Haha, Freg makes me laugh with his cheekiness.
I have to use pliers on quicklinks too although his cage bars are full of empty quicklinks as he usually just snips through the rope or chain on the toy lol.
He still has a teddy that I gave him when he was only 6 weeks old, he loves it so much and never destroys it - I'll upload a picture soon, it's so cute when he's sitting on his perch with it :)

We were trying to think of an unusual name for him, when we found our breeder it took his hen over a year to lay eggs so we had a while to think of a name lol. Thought of all kinds but we were watching the movie "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and were inspired by one of the characters - such an unusual name and quite silly - he really suits his name lol!

Thank you, got all my digits crossed too, going to ring my vet again today and have another chat with him.
 

Ozz

New member
Apr 13, 2019
4
Media
1
0
Shropshire, UK
Parrots
Cockatoos
I know this is a very old thread but I just stumbled upon it. If you are still active on here Karen I would be very interested to know how Fregley is doing?..... I too have a Green Wing who had an episode exactly the same as you have described.
It scared me to death, I could hear his breathing from outside the room and thought it was the dog snoring....It lasted about 20 mins and he was absolutely exhausted afterwards, yet an hour later he was completely normal.
My vet could find nothing wrong with him and I put it down to emptying the very last remnants of his parrot mix sack into his feeder. This had a few dusty crumbs at the bottom but as his 2nd bowl was the new contents of an opened bag I didn't think this would matter as I discard any left over food daily. I can only put it down to a dust allergy, maybe it's something Green wings are susceptible to and would be interested to hear if anyone else has had the same reaction.
 

LeeC

Well-known member
Jun 5, 2019
343
Media
3
397
Harrisburg, PA
Parrots
Timneh: Grady;
Senegal: Charlie;
Sun Conure: Peaches (deceased)
Senegal: Georgia
Peach-fronted Conure: Milton (foster)
Brown-throated Conure: Pumpkin (foster)
Senegal: Fletcher
Senegal: Ivy
Hi, @Karen. It sounds like Fregley has a great human. :]


You started by saying the breathing incident happened after Fregley ate. I would pay close attention to the timing of eating and the onset of the panting, to help determine the cause as food versus environment. However, his food dish is not food, and could be part of the environment. I recommend using safe soap, and still rinsing well.


I use this for hand washing dishes:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072M6MQK8/


As for Fregley's food staying the same, consider that the supplier of his food could have changed sources. So, to you it's the same source, but it is actually from a new source.


Lastly, if you could measure his heart rate, while he eats, that would be really helpful. I suspect that sounds crazy, but for people, pinpointing food allergies can be easier using a heart-rate monitor while they eat. The human gut is also part of our immune system. If a food triggers "fight-or-flight" to a mild degree, a heart-rate monitor can detect it. Maybe just watch his breathing (chest expansion and contraction) while he eats.
 

Most Reactions

Top