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Cockatiel with shortness of breath and sneezing

 
Expert Question

My Question:
my tiel has been sneezing a lot lately and wheezing after exertion, i am so worried about her i hope she hasn’t got aspergillus. twinkle is eating well and her usual loving playful self. twinkle is well looked after plenty of out of cage time correct diet not just seeds. will go to the vets asap. can any one help give advice in the mean time please.




Expert Answer

Unfortunately, there is nothing specific that I can recommend beyond allowing your bird to rest in a warm environment, and to continue to offer free-choice food and water. You are right - a good physical examination and diagnosis is important to obtain, sooner than later. Aspergillosis, of course, is one of many, many, many potential problems that could be present. Although I would not necessarily fix my mindset on one disease such as this; I certainly would strongly recommend getting that examination performed!


Brian Speer, DVM
About Brian Speer, DVM

Avian veterinarian Dr. Brian Speer was raised in a small town on California’s coast. He received his BS in Biology from California Polytechnic State University in 1978, and his DVM degree from the University of California at Davis in 1983.

An active member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV), Dr. Speer is a much sought after guest speaker and has presented at numerous conferences in the avicultural and zoological communities both within the United States and abroad. He is well published in the AAV annual proceedings, has served as guest editor for the journal Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine, the Veterinary Clinics of North America, and authored chapters in several recent veterinary medical texts on pet bird, avicultural and ratite medical topics. In 1995 he co-authored the extensive avicultural reference, The Large Macaws, and helped to co-author Birds for Dummies in 1999.

Since 1989, Dr, Speer has run a “bird’s only” practice in the San Francisco Bay area and is the President and Director of The Medical Center for Birds. He is a consultant for The Veterinary Information Network (Avian Medical Boards) and the Maui Animal Rescue and Sanctuary. In 2003 he was the recipient of the Lafeber award for excellence in private practice of avian medicine and surgery and in 2006, was named Speaker of the Year for the North American Veterinary Conference.