My green cheek conure is sneezing and itching her nose. Is she okay?

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.

Hello, I would recommend taking your bird to a veterinarian when possible. This sounds like it could be an upper respiratory infection, which is common in pet birds. This often requires a course of antibiotics, depending on the extent of infection. Your vet can guide you best after their exam. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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.

As you would expect, these symptoms are not specific for any specific concerns. The sneezing and breathing heavy might be signs of an upper or lower respiratory disease. There is also the possibility that Hex acquired a foreign body in his nostril and is trying to sneeze it out. Placing Hex in the hot, humid bathroom might help open nasal passages, just like a warm shower can open up nasal passages on people. The vocalizations could be an indication of pain, stress or an illness. If the clinical sings persist, a veterinary visit is recommended.

An occasional sneeze with no discharge or other symptoms (lethargy, loose droppings, difficulty breathing, etc) is no cause for concern. Monitor for any progression or additional symptoms and see a veterinarian if necessary.

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.

Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but 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. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!