Dust question

[leah9798]

Well, my new amazon is sick. I had noticed he had been sneezing alot when he first came here and luckily I had taken him to the vet the next day to get the bloodwork done. We figured if something was going on with him it would show up in there. The gram stain showed bacteria and sure enough this morning I noticed he had diarrhea and he has had it all day. The CBC showed an elevated WBC and high hetorophils, so there is some sort of infection going on. The psittacosis test should be abck any day but he does not believe that's it. I have an appointment toimorrow to bring him back for a culture.

Anyway I was wondering if it is possible for the sneezing to be independent of the diarrhea. There is no wetness or discharge juts a lot of sneezing. I have greys and tiels and I know Macaws are known for not handling dust very well and I was curious about Amazons and if they may have the same problem. The vet did say there would be signs on the CBC but he was only here for a day before it was run and I don't think that would be enough time to show up in bloodwork. Just wondering if anyone knows about allergies in birds. He is ina seperate room from the rest of my birds. Thanks Leah

[Dayna]

I keep my Amazon in a seperate part of the house due to cockatiel and parakeet dust. I assume that it will affect the amazons like it does macaws. I would keep their breathing space seperate.

[leah9798]

Thank you Dayna Ugh! My living area is one big open area and not seperate like some people who have like a seperate living and family area, my dining room is also in this area and my birds are part of my family so they are in there with us. The only way I could seperate him is to put him in a bedroom and I couldn't isolate him like that i feel awful already having to keep him seperate he hates when I leave the room. I had no idea the other birds could be a problem for him.

[wildirish]

We have 2 Toos and 2 Amazons, neither of the zons have ever sneezed or shown any reaction at all. That is not to say it couldn't be problem but ours don't seem to react.

We do have a bird room off the LR that is where the macaws and zons are and the Toos and CAG are in LR. But prior to moving here we also had one great big open room where all the birds where at. I tried to keep dust birds at one end and macaws and zons at the other. I think if you keep things dusted and cleaned it should be fine. However she may have some sort of allergy though because she is sneezing. I have not heard or read anything about zons being as sensative to dust as macaws. Maybe someone else will know for sure.

[leah9798]

Since he is already in another room, keeping them apart wouldn't work anyway. The sneezing could be from whatever is going on with him right now. I was thinking of having him boarded or hospitalized at the vets for a few days when I go tomorrow to see if it makes any difference. It would be great though to hear from anyone if they have ever had a problem. Thanks!

[Casa Amazona]

I have six Amazons, one of whom just sneezes from time to time. It doesn't happen every day or even every week, but sometimes she'll just start sneezing and will do so for a while, then stop. To my knowledge there's nothing wrong with her and this has been going on for all the time I've had her -- almost seven months.

[The Outlaw]

Amazons don't seem to have the sensitivity to parrot dust that the macaws do, but all birds will have some problems if the dust isn't controlled. I doubt that your zon's current problem is dust related however. Sounds to me to be more likely an upper respiratory infection that will likely be treated with antibiotics. I assume your vet is aware of the diarrhea and sneezing. Perhaps cultures are in order. This is something for your vet to treat. If your bird is still symptomatic, please be sure to take it back to the vet and don't just assume it will remedy itself. Often upper respiratory infections are fairly easily treated if done early enough. Good luck.

THE OUTLAW

[leah9798]

Thank you, my vet does know and you are right Outlaw a culture is the next step and I'm taking him back in this morning. The vet already told me he's going to put him on Baytril 2 X a day with Benebac. Poor bird, he's already scared of hands around him, I hope this won't traumatize him to much and I won't lose the trust I've built with him so far. Since he has no idea how to step up and runs I'm going to have to grab him.

Thanks Joanie, he sneezes a lot every day. Being that he's in another room I can't really stay in there for long periods of times but he always sneezes while I am in there. Maybe he's allergic to me. LOL

[Casa Amazona]

A note of caution -- Amazons have a LOOOOOOOONG memory. Because you're just establishing a relationship with this little one, I'd make sure that -- while getting the treatment he needs -- you have loads of loving interaction, as well. Find out what his very favorite treat is, maybe, and end each session with a treat. That could be food (probably is, with a 'zon) or head skritches or something else that's just tooooooo appealing to forego. All the best with your little bundle of green feathers.

[leah9798]

Thank you Joanie, I will try that. Unfortunately his favorite food so far seems to be apples and with the diarrhea I can't really give him that. He seems to like nutriberries though so maybe I'll try those and hopefully he won't hold it against me too much or maybe I should have my husband get him out instead?

Originally Posted by Joanie

A note of caution -- Amazons have a LOOOOOOOONG memory. Because you're just establishing a relationship with this little one, I'd make sure that -- while getting the treatment he needs -- you have loads of loving interaction, as well. Find out what his very favorite treat is, maybe, and end each session with a treat. That could be food (probably is, with a 'zon) or head skritches or something else that's just tooooooo appealing to forego. All the best with your little bundle of green feathers.