[CALVINS MOM]

A gram stain can sometimes determine whether there are gram negative rods. If you do not take the bird in and they only do the gram stain, they may be able to determine whether there is bacteria or yeast and it will cost less than a full exam.

I do not say this to be nasty, but owning birds can unfortunately sometimes be expensive when vet visits are necessary. Perhaps you can start a kitty into which you put a little money each week to save for the unfortunate or unexpected vet visit. We owe it to our birds to have the means to help them if they are ill. Hopefully you will never have to use the money in the kitty, but, for now, I would at least see what a gram stain will do.