Galah cockatoo breathing oddly

[Francie Mae]

Hey everyone,

I know it’s been a long time since I’ve posted. I’ve been pretty busy with university, but I wanted to do an update soon. Instead I’m making this post now because tonight, Mischief, our 7 month old Galah cockatoo, started breathing strangely.

She’s doing this thing where she leans her head back and makes a wheezing sound, and her throat bobs in and out. She’s still doing her normal squawking and babbling and doesn’t seem lethargic, but we’re pretty concerned about her seemingly wheezing. Here’s a link to a YouTube video of her doing it:

It starts at about 15 seconds and she does it a few times in a row, then stops, then keeps going. It just started tonight. We’re worried that maybe she swallowed something and we didn’t notice; she’s never without supervision, but we’re concerned as to what she could’ve done in a split second. My dad is also looking into if any human bacteria can pass to birds, as my mom has a respiratory infection right now. Any advice is appreciated. I’m going to tag this as emergency because I’m not sure if it requires immediate veterinary care. Thank you for reading this post, I hope everyone’s night is going well.

Update to say she’s only been doing it when she’s in her cage, and when we let her out she stops. But I don’t think it’s been long enough for her to make the association that making a wheezing sound will let her leave her cage, and I don’t want to take any chances assuming she’s just ‘Doing it for attention.’ Should also say that even with her infection, my mom isn’t wheezing, so I don’t think she’s mimicking her.

 

[Pete M]

Also she’s super energetic and playful when out of her cage. She’s eating, flying, and chattering as normal.

 

[Francie Mae]

Also she’s super energetic and playful when out of her cage. She’s eating, flying, and chattering as normal.

since posting, though, she’s made the sound while outside of her cage.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Hi Francie, I have no idea whether shes sick but I would get her to the vet asap. However I don't think she got sick from your mother. Human viruses don't cause illness in birds because their body temperature is so much higher than ours that the viruses can't survive. Our body reacts to viruses by getting a fever to fight them and 105 degrees would be a very high fever. Other than this weird throat sound she doesn't appear sick but you should get her checked out. If your regular vet can't see her there are plenty of good avian vets in Southern California where you live. I used to see Dr Frank Lavec, now at VCA Wilshire Animal Hospital. He's the Medical Director there and I think there's at least one other Avian vet there. There are many other good Avian vets out there, too. I'm just throwing his name out because he took great care of my birds whenever they were sick.
That doesn't mean there isn't something wrong with Mischief- just that I don't think she got sick from your mother. Try not to panic. Just call the vet in the morning and get her in to see them

Mischief looks absolutely beautiful! I hope you and your family are enjoying her. Post more pictures of your baby!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Keep us updated!

 

[rheashard2]

Cross species infection can happen but is extremely rare. Please keep us updated.