Why is my new parrotlet breathing fast and not eating after meeting another bird?

Heavy breathing can be a sign of a number of things, including stress, changes in temperature, and sometimes illness. Birds do breathe by moving their chests in and out, and it is often more visible than other pets, however if she is heavily breathing, open mouthed panting, or has her wings away from her body those can all indicate stress or distress. If she doesn't calm down after being moved to a quiet, cool location, or shows other signs of illness in addition to the heavy breathing, seeking veterinary care is best. A vet exam is a good idea anyway since she was recently acquired and possibly not in good condition when you got her.

It could be stress or excitement from the new environment, handling or a combination. If she is bobbing her tail excessively while breathing, this can indicate potential illness. Monitor for lethargy, decreased appetite or loose droppings. Give her a few days to acclimate and if the behavior persists, have her examined by your veterinarian. Have her examined sooner if she develops any of the above symptoms.

Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection and the lethargy may be related to fever. 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!

That is a lot of questions! And one I don't really have a good answer to. Sudden death can be caused by a number of things including illness, parasites, infections, nutritional issues, etc. It's always a good idea to first make sure the environment your birds are in is kept clean, and that they have access to a balanced diet and fresh water at all times. It is also a good idea to quarantine any new birds for a few days before introducing them to the other birds you own in order to prevent the spread of any illness. Stress from being put with strange birds, recently re-homed, switched to a new cage, etc can also cause a bird to act ill. Making sure they are in an environment that is free from harassment by other pets or people, is in a warm-draft free area, and that all birds can easily access food, water, perches and sleeping space is best. If you suspect one or more birds are ill it is best to separate them immediately into a hospital cage that is kept warm and with easy access to food and water to prevent the spread of illness and to keep any sick birds from being picked on. Seeking veterinary care to check for the cause of their illness is also a good idea.

An exam with your vet or an experienced avian vet is always recommended for new birds. At the very least, Phoebe will get a clean bill of health. The sleeping posture and squeaking noises are normal unless Phoebe is sleeping all the time. This doesn't seem to be the case by your description. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite or loose droppings. These are symptoms that should be addressed by a vet.

If Borah is panting heavily and has stopped eating or drinking, it may indicate that he is feeling unwell or has an underlying illness. Removing him to a hospital cage away from other birds, keeping him warm, and providing easy access to food and water may help, however if he is having a very hard time breathing or is refusing to eat or drink at all, seeking veterinary care immediately is best to rule out issues such as illness, infection, or injury causing his problems.

Thanks for reaching out about Lemon and including photos. First, try offering some heat support with the goal of the 80-85 F range. A change in routine can be stressful, so trying spending more time with them, for observation and company. If they continue to be lethargic, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Good luck.