can a parrot lose its voice?

[felisdomesticus]

I had Scarlett outside with me again this afternoon. I had her on the boing again and decided to give her a shower with the mist feature of the hose while she was sitting in the sunshine. Scarlett is not a big fan of showers and decided to climb up from the boing to the top of the shed. She didn't do much up there other than walk back and forth but I saw her eyeing up the neighbor's tree.

I was completely panicked. We have only some weird extension ladder thing that was in 2 pieces that I had no idea how to work. I tried luring her down with food, showing her her bowl, treats, nothing worked. So I decided to use the hose on the "shower" feature which is pretty gentle. I didn't really hit her with it but rather used it next to her to try to move her away from the tree and back towards our yard. She eventually flew/glided down onto the ground. I had to rinse her off again as her beak and chest were covered in dirt.

She is back in her cage now never to see the outside again unless I roll the whole thing out there. Anyway, she has been trying to talk to me but it sounds like she's losing her voice. Could this be from all of the water? Or did she hurt herself getting down from the shed?

thank you for any advice.

[felisdomesticus]

I just spoke to an avian vet, believe it or not. I just did a google search on "avian vet NJ" and I found a LOV page with 2 listings for vets in the state.

It was about 5:15pm but I thought I'd give it a shot and call. A man answered and I asked "is this the answering service?" He said "No this is the doctor."

I gave him a description of what happened and he said there's no need to freak out since she is behaving normally other than the voice thing. He said the trachea is pretty far inside so it's hard to damage and if there was internal bleeding, she'd be dead by now.

I couldn't believe my luck in reaching him. I just finished writing him a "thank you" card. How nice to take the time to calm down a total stranger.

[OwnedbyMacaws]

Glad its nothing to worry about. Maybe she just chirped herself out? I do that at ballgames sometimes. LOL.

[ParrotletLover]

I'm glad you got a hold of a good vet. He is right - you shouldn't worry too much. I believe it is either the trachea or esophagus that is lined completely in cartilage (which is why it is hard to choke a bird), so Scarlett should be fine.

However, if you notice any other behaviors, or if she is acting abnormal, a visit to the vet would be a good idea to rule out injury or illness.

[MaryG1959]

I'm glad scarlett is ok....as far as the vet goes---isn't it wonderful when we finally find a good one???

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by felisdomesticus

I just spoke to an avian vet, believe it or not. I just did a google search on "avian vet NJ" and I found a LOV page with 2 listings for vets in the state.

It was about 5:15pm but I thought I'd give it a shot and call. A man answered and I asked "is this the answering service?" He said "No this is the doctor."

I gave him a description of what happened and he said there's no need to freak out since she is behaving normally other than the voice thing. He said the trachea is pretty far inside so it's hard to damage and if there was internal bleeding, she'd be dead by now.

I couldn't believe my luck in reaching him. I just finished writing him a "thank
you" card. How nice to take the time to calm down a total stranger.

Was it Mckinley?
I'm in NJ too

[felisdomesticus]

yes it was Dr. McKinley.

I still am in shock that the man was kind enough to listen to a hysterical stranger who lived too far away to ever become a regular client.

[Lisa B]

Where are you located in Nj..there are a few vets I know of....
Mckinley is by me.....

[yehudasf]

BS"D

ParrotletLover:

I believe it is either the trachea or esophagus that is lined completely in cartilage

The trachea is made up of cartelaginous & fibrous rings. The oesophagus on the other hand is mucosal endothelial tissue ovelaying long muscle tissue.

FelisDomesticus
Since all vocalisations come from the parrots syrinx, (a structure located at the confluence of the bronchi), it is possible that, much like a human, they could develop an inflammatory process that would temporarily deprive them of voice, however this phenomenon is exceedingly rare. More likely would be your psittazen either being in a bit of a snit, or perhaps disquieted by the little adventure, & having decided to "clam up" till it perceives that all is back to normal.

[felisdomesticus]

Originally Posted by Lisa B

Where are you located in Nj..there are a few vets I know of....
Mckinley is by me.....

I'm in Beachwood, NJ--exit 80 off the GSP. The foster home recommended Dr. Doolan who is in Oakhurst I think.