My green cheek conure's voice is raspy and sneezy. Should I worry?

These signs could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or eventually to a chronic rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). No need for a specialist at this stage, but clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics are probably needed. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Based on the symptoms you are describing I would be concerned that the bird is either not getting enough nutrition or that he has aspirated some of the food and now is developing pneumonia. My best recommendation for you is to have your bird examined by an avian veterinarian. If your bird did aspirate he will need some antibiotics to help with the infection. Your bird may also need supplemental oxygen while the infection is getting under control. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Thanks for reaching out. The raspy voice and sitting on bottom of the cage are concerning. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Respiratory infections (bacterial, fungal) are common, as is aspiration. Vitamin A deficiencies can play a part also. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give some aid. Good luck.

It's possible Nova may have a bit of a respiratory infection going on. If the symptoms continue, the discharge is green or yellowish in color, or she shows other signs of illness, it is best to schedule a vet checkup. In the meantime, keeping her separated from any other birds to prevent the spread of illness, making sure her bedding and cage litter are not causing any dust that could be causing sneezing, and keeping her on a balanced diet with fresh water may help until you can get to the vet.

Thanks for reaching out about Skittles. Providing a short (10-15 minutes) in a steamy bathroom can assist with hydrating possible tracheal mucous expulsion. If immediate improvement or continued clinical signs are noted, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess for bacterial, fungal or foreign body inhalation. Check and correct diet as deficiencies can play a part in disease. Good luck.

An occasional itch and sneeze is not very concerning. Sometimes, they will have a long-term sinus infection after recovering from a respiratory disease. These infections are very difficult to diagnose and treat. At this time, it doesn't seem like he is having bad enough signs to warrant an investigation or treatment into this problem. If you are not noticing any nose discharge, and Jade is otherwise acting normal, then I think it's fine to not bring her into the vet right now. Although, it would be best to have a general exam done by an avian veterinarian at some point. Make sure that there is not something like perfumes/other scents, smoke, or excessive dust in the environment. Even the slightest amount of these aerosols can irritate their respiratory tract. I hope that helps.

Have her rechecked by your veterinarian or by an experienced avian vet. You can find one here: http://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803 Do this sooner rather than later, since by the time a bird is symptomatic, it is usually quite ill. The vet may submit a swab from the mouth for culture and sensitivity. This may identify any infection causing bacteria as well as the most effective antibiotic to use in treatment. Blood work may be submitted to assess major organ function. Do not worry, only a small sample is needed. A stool sample should also be submitted to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial overgrowth. In the meantime, clean and sanitize her cage, bowls, toys and perches. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Use paper towels on the cage bottom and change them daily. A grate should be used to prevent her from reaching her droppings or fallen food that could be contaminated. Survey the area around her cage for any cold drafts or other negative stimuli. If you use air fresheners or essential oils, do not use them around her. The same goes for non stick cookware. The wheezing and tail bobbing may indicate respiratory infection which can usually be treated with antibiotics, but it can be caused by parasites or viruses which will not be affected by these medications.