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Cockatiel with sinus problems

Thank you for the information regarding my cockatiel with sinus problems. I notice when I`m in the bird shelter there is some dust and small particles floating through the air from their feathers. Although I clean the shelter out every other day, this dust still gathers, It doesn`t seem to trouble the other birds, just this one cockatiel. Every time I put him back in the shelter he gets breathing difficulty after a week. I`ve heard of hepa filters and ionisers. Do you think this would be the answer to removing the dust and particles from the air.

Theoretically, the dust could be contributing to the problem, although I would be doubtful if the dust you describe is the primary causation here. Air filtration may help remove dust, and if dust is a contributor, may help reduce the frequency of flare-ups of the symptoms you describe. Other than the costs involved in purchase and setup of a filtration machnine plus the delay in time for diagnosis should there be other medical issues involved, there should be no direct harm posed by your proposed approach.

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.