Dust and breathing issues?

noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
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472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
So, I have a Hepa filter running 24/7, I don't use anything scented, no teflon/ptfe/pfoa/pfcs, I clean with f10 SC and I don't use any other chemicals (not even hairspray etc).
Yesterday, I rushed Noodles to the vet because she appeared to be wheezing/gasping. I am very careful about what she eats and I clean her cage grate 2x daily (no bedding is used). I will admit, this week I slacked a bit on vacuuming....

While we were at the exotics vet, a different vet took at look at her (because her typical vet was out, due to the short-notice of this visit). This "new" vet was convinced she had a seizure when I walked out of the room/ while Noodles was in the towel (this "new" vet is not a CAV, mind you--the exotics vet is closer to my house and they have been okay in the past-I say "new vet" because this vet hasn't seen Noodles before). She called me back into the room and informed me that Noodles was "having a seizure" and that my presence might bring her out of it faster--As soon as I saw it, I said "that's not a seizure"- I went to have her step up and about 3 seconds after my hand was out, she did. I normally leave the room during exams because I am so stressed that I don't want her picking up on those vibes ( I know she does). I will admit she seemed a bit more hunkered down than normal, but she wasn't falling over and she responded to me. She ALWAYS shakes in a sexual way when toweled, but now I am second-guessing myself (what if she has been seizing all along)?

I am not sure what I think, because, as much as I am paranoid, I am having trouble believing that Noodles actually had a seizure. She is super-hormonal right now and toweling always causes her to tremble...
This exotics vet (who doesn't know Noodles) swears up and down it was a seizure (500% certain, would bet her life--very very adament), but I think it may have been sexual...I didn't see the start of it, but I saw the end of it and it looked sexual to me. Now the "new vet" is wanting to put her on a seizure med (phenobarbital) etc etc...She told me to give it to her yesterday, but I didn't because I am not convinced. I know cockatoos are weirdly sexual and that they shake/pant/twitch in sexual situations. I also know that her current vet thought she was having a seizure the first time she toweled her...Perhaps her current vet has been wrong all along and these have actually been seizures, but as stated previously, I am not convinced that they are. I called the CAV (who she also sees from time-to-time, and he said it sounded sexual but that he would like to see it).

I have an appointment tomorrow with the CAV, because it's possible that Noodles has been having seizures and I have mistaken them for hormones, but she only ever has twitching behavior when being touched and it stops when the touching stops (the CAV has toweled her and wasn't bothered by the shaking, but since I did not see yesterday's full episode with the "new" exotics vet, I don't know if something different happened that made this shaking behavior appear to be more seizure like than in the past)....She always gets super shaky and sexual when toweled... although I suppose I could be wrong.. I digress....

My reason for taking her in was the breathing issue (that lasted for a few minutes before we were out the door). I was organizing some old, dusty china dishes and she started showing symptoms, so I rushed her to the vet. When we came home, she didn't do it again all night. As we were leaving the vet, I asked what was causing the breathing issue (because Noodles had been on a 13 day antibiotic for a bacterial infection) and the vet said, "she may have a bit of asthma, but let's deal with one thing at a time."

SOOO, today, I was sitting near her cage today going through my record collection and moving around some dusty china that had sat out. The dust wasn't puffing into the air, but the records are quite old (and have an "old" smell up-close). That having been said, prior to getting her, I did Lysol all of the record sleeves because I was worried about mold. That was like a year before I got her....and I play them all of the time without issue (I did move them around more than usual today...)

Anyway, while dealing with the dusty items, she started the breathing thing again. I freaked out, opened the window and placed her in front of it. Then I vacuumed and put the stuff in boxes quickly. She is now breathing normally...

Is it possible that regular dust could be causing extreme asthma-like symptoms?

Do you think a vet could mistake a cockatoo's sexual shaking for a seizure???
 
Last edited:

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
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San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
It is certainly possibly Noodles is hyper sensitive to dust, or specific constituents. I would not submit a bird to phenobarbitol based on the single observation of an "exotic" vet. Better to have thorough assessment by her CAV and interpret your description of hormonal behavior.

Hope the visit goes well and you are dealing with hormones and heightened sensitivity.
 

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