DoctorWhoops
New member
- Jan 21, 2024
- 10
- 5
- Parrots
- Appa the Caique
Hello Bird-fans,
My 8 year old Caique, Appa, has recently been showing some concerning signs when swallowing hard, dry foods in the morning. After first seeing this, I visited the vet as soon as possible (within a couple of days), but since he didn't show any signs by the time I got there she couldn't give me any sort of diagnosis and instead left me with some meloxicam to give him in the morning, which she said he should have anyway considering a PDD test that tested positive years ago as part of preventative health, and that it mgiht have slight pain reducing effects that can help him swallow better.
In the weeks that followed the strange swallowing behaviour seemed to be gone, but a week or so ago it has started showing up again from time to time. When it does show up the behaviour isn't as severe as it is is in the video (from late February) but it's still slightly noticeable when eating dry foods in the morning before or shortly after taking the meloxicam. After eating, he also seems to grind his beak. Not in the same way as he does when calm, but more akin to how people grind their teeth, almost like chewing on air, occasionally making a crackling sound. Otherwise, everything seems fine. He eats well, he drinks enough, he poops as normal, breathes okay, and his weight is stable. The beak grinding wouldn't concern me either, if it wasn't paired with the difficulty swallowing.
I cannot find any videos or examples of parrots online showing the same behaviour so I'm completely lost on what this behaviour is or how to approach it. The initial concern the vet assumed was some slight damage/dryness in his throat that should disperse with time, and that as long as he's eating as much as usual it's not a major concern. However, him showing the same signs over a month later gives me concerns. If there is anyone that can help me out or give me directions, whether it's an experienced vet/carer or someone who has had a parrot with similar signs, please help me out. I need some answers to these concerns.
My 8 year old Caique, Appa, has recently been showing some concerning signs when swallowing hard, dry foods in the morning. After first seeing this, I visited the vet as soon as possible (within a couple of days), but since he didn't show any signs by the time I got there she couldn't give me any sort of diagnosis and instead left me with some meloxicam to give him in the morning, which she said he should have anyway considering a PDD test that tested positive years ago as part of preventative health, and that it mgiht have slight pain reducing effects that can help him swallow better.
In the weeks that followed the strange swallowing behaviour seemed to be gone, but a week or so ago it has started showing up again from time to time. When it does show up the behaviour isn't as severe as it is is in the video (from late February) but it's still slightly noticeable when eating dry foods in the morning before or shortly after taking the meloxicam. After eating, he also seems to grind his beak. Not in the same way as he does when calm, but more akin to how people grind their teeth, almost like chewing on air, occasionally making a crackling sound. Otherwise, everything seems fine. He eats well, he drinks enough, he poops as normal, breathes okay, and his weight is stable. The beak grinding wouldn't concern me either, if it wasn't paired with the difficulty swallowing.
I cannot find any videos or examples of parrots online showing the same behaviour so I'm completely lost on what this behaviour is or how to approach it. The initial concern the vet assumed was some slight damage/dryness in his throat that should disperse with time, and that as long as he's eating as much as usual it's not a major concern. However, him showing the same signs over a month later gives me concerns. If there is anyone that can help me out or give me directions, whether it's an experienced vet/carer or someone who has had a parrot with similar signs, please help me out. I need some answers to these concerns.
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