RB2 Panting very easily?

adz1984

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Alexandrine (Bella) RB2 (Unammed)
I've noticed my galah pants really easily (beak open loud breaths) and has been that way since I got him a few months ago, what I mean is for example: It's clear he doesn't like being restraint, be it by towel or hand so starts to fight and wiggle out, my concern is he could only be fighting out of the restraint for a few seconds and that would start the panting (which lasts only a few secs also) literally a couple to a few seconds is enough to start it. I would think that's normal but it would take ALOT more fighting from my alexandrine to start a pant.
I have never noticed him panting at any other time (playing, flapping etc)
Could it be he just REALLY hate's being restraint or does it point to health issue?
 
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LordTriggs

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sounds like EXTREME stress to me, which can be fatal to birds pretty quickly

get a vet check anyway, you can never be too safe. why is it you restrain them? It seems the easiest way to avoid it is to stop restraining them. I can't think of any situation outside of a vet or emergency situation you would need to actually restrain them
 

plumsmum2005

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Yes have the exact same with Plum and try and syringe him meds he involves all tools at his disposal, head turning, beak, feet kicking and wings out wriggling like mad. You say he recovers quickly so should be OK IMO.

As this is extremely stressful only do it when you absolutely have to, you don't state a reason.

As this RB2 is new to you have you had a CAV check over? You would do well to try and make the towel less frightening, a very stressed bird @ the vets is not the best.
 
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Laylatoo

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Layla also pants when restrained. She only needs to be restrained for veterinary tests though. No panting seen at home but I never have a need to restrain her. Luckily she takes her medications well from a syringe, so even then no restraint used.
 

Tami2

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I always thought panting was due to them being stressed or overheated.
 

clark_conure

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I didn't respond to this at first, because I didn't know how to answer, but lordtriggs kind of broke the ice....why restrain the bird other than an emergency? With clark he likes being "coned" (ice cream cone posture) I didn't know really how to start this line of inquiry to help you.
 
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adz1984

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Thanks for the responses, I've only ever restraint him to gives meds and another time recently when he was being super stuborn about going back to his cage, will now use other methods after reading how dangerous this is, aparently birds can get a fatal muscle disease amongst other things from stressful restraints it's very common in poultry
He did have a vet check the first week I got him (gram stain, physical and pbfd + few other major diseases) all was well with the exeption of a minor bacteria which cleared easily. I did not know about his easy panting untill after the vet visit and brushed it off as just him really hating being restraint but after him doing it recently has me questioning it again. They are both due for a vet check soon so I'll be sure to bring it up.
 
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adz1984

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Had the page open since the morning, Didn't refresh and thought noone replied to me!
Edited that bump.
 

LordTriggs

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Thanks for the responses, I've only ever restraint him to gives meds and another time recently when he was being super stuborn about going back to his cage, will now use other methods after reading how dangerous this is, aparently birds can get a fatal muscle disease amongst other things from stressful restraints it's very common in poultry
He did have a vet check the first week I got him (gram stain, physical and pbfd + few other major diseases) all was well with the exeption of a minor bacteria which cleared easily. I did not know about his easy panting untill after the vet visit and brushed it off as just him really hating being restraint but after him doing it recently has me questioning it again. They are both due for a vet check soon so I'll be sure to bring it up.

ah I see. Yeah it's tough giving medicine from what I have seen

try mixing the medicine in something super sweet (only a small amount of the sweet stuff. They may become more compliant with the medicine then

As for the cage, food seems to be a good lure! :D

really just have to get them trusting you and okay with being held all over
 
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adz1984

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My rb2 is a weird one, doesn't seem food driven and doesn't really like the usual treats (sunflower, nuts etc) complete opposite from my alex also is not afraid of anyone and will demand head scratches from complete strangers kinda hard to know if we are bonding as he just loves everyone, again complete opposite of my alex who shows a clear preference to me only.
 

LordTriggs

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well it could be worse! haha I'd prefer a loving bird to everyone than an aggressive one!

Maybe doing lots of playing a scritching while she's inside the cage? My conure wasn't driven much by seeds and nuts. A piece of apple or raisin though and he would do anything despite them being in his daily diet!
 

Scott

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I would imagine the duration of panting after stress is important. Most birds dislike restraint unless they view it as "cuddling." Many will pant and give great expression of anger, but rapidly recover once let loose. Like a poorly conditioned human, prolonged languishing, lethargy, and fluttering post-restraint may be cause for concern.
 

Aquila

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Most of my smaller birds get really stressed from being toweled or anything, but it's the only way I can administer medicine or do any grooming stuff. A few are okay with it afterwards but do put up quite a fight. For medicating my bigger birds, I mix the medicine into some apple sauce on a spoon and feed it that way, since all of them will gladly eat from a spoon. My vet also suggested putting it on a small piece of bread or small square of something sweeter like sponge cake to mask the taste.

I think sometimes they really work themselves up trying to fight and get away, especially if they're not conditioned to physical exercise like some have said. Allowing them to fly in the house and get in better cardiovascular shape. I also try to keep them in dimmer lighting unless I need to see extremely well.

The first time I took Sydney to the vet and had him get a physical, he made the most awful sad honking noise that broke my heart. He wasn't used to being handled like that at all. Since then, I've regularly toweled him to check his feet and examine him, and he's gotten much better. Sometimes it's only for a minute or two, but sometimes I might have to restrain him for a little while to do his nails or beak, or to remove broken feathers and he doesn't act that way anymore. He'll be angry, but he's not winded and doesn't honk. He doesn't fight as much either, mostly just chews the towel out of anger and frustration. I don't think he'll ever be great about it, but for a 35-45 year old bird I'm happy with the little improvement he's made.
 

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