Green in Nares?

[TJ Relic]

I'm worried (again) because by little guy's nares seem to be green inside. Also, his feathers above his nares have taken on a greenish tinge. I always make sure to sit by the window, in the sun, with him after baths until he's dry, and change his water daily. Could it be from the fresh veggies? Is there something I can give him? It doesn't bother him at all of course, everything else is perfectly normal. I'd call the vet, but I felt a bit like a paranoid when they said nothing was wrong last month when he sneezed a few times.

Thanks.

[Lisa B]

Is there discharge at all? could he have been playing near a green toy when wet?

[TJ Relic]

No discharge, and none of his wooden dyed toys are green. I'm leaning towards his veggies might have gone bad. Maybe I'm leaving them in there for too long during the day? Its usually morning to night. I think I might divide it into two portions for the day.

I've been looking for smaller resealable containers for his salad. Right now I have 1/2 cup containers, but so much of that goes to waste in his cup. He really only needs half that in a day, in fresh veggies anyway.

[Valo's Moirana]

i don't have any idea where this could be coming from... but as long as there's no discharge, i don't think it's a source of too much concern.... keep a close eye on the cutie

[Monica]

Fresh foods shouldn't be left in the cage for more than 2 hours, 4 max if it's cool... if it's hot, possibly less than 2 hours.

[TJ Relic]

That sounds pretty reasonable.

[green_feather]

It could also be that the green vedgie juices have gotten on the nare. Birds at the best of times arent the most graceful eaters and manytimes i had come across Olly really enjoying a meal and while doing so getting it all over his beak.

[hollyhawkz]

Let us know what it was.

[Heather_Bird]

Well I hope you find the cause whatever it is. I live in the moderate climate of NZ and have to say that my fruit and veg platters go in one morning and are changed the following morning. I have never had any trouble with food spoiling or causing problems. The only exception I would make to that would be anything meat-based (chicken wings, etc) which I would remove after a couple of hours. I have had a couple of cases of apparently drunken sparrows who have been gorging on the fallen fruit from our apple trees when it has started to ferment. They just need a darkened cage to sleep off the hangover for a few hours (providing I get to them before one of the cats does!).

Does the 'discharge' look like dried mucus? If so it may be indicative of a mild infection OR it may be that any greens he has eaten have coloured the mucus he produces naturally and made it more noticeable. I would be keeping a watching brief for any other signs of illness. Good luck!

All the best,

Heather

PS If you are worrying then take him back to the vet for another check. Life is too short!

[jenseits]

Originally Posted by Monica

Fresh foods shouldn't be left in the cage for more than 2 hours, 4 max if it's cool... if it's hot, possibly less than 2 hours.

That makes sense, but what if that's just not possible? I give Stewie his fresh food in the a.m. shortly before I leave for work and empty it when I get home. That's about 10-11 hours.

My other option is to give him his food as soon as I wake up and take it away before I leave, and then feed him again when I get home (if I get home before he puts himself to bed... these days he's in his Happy Hut before 7:30pm)? I haven't done that for two reasons: 1) I don't think he'll get enough fresh veggies to eat or he'll make himself sick scarfing it down in time, and 2) somewhat selfishly, I do want to play/interact with him in the morning before I leave rather than just watch him with his head in the bowl.

This way he can get some out-of-cage time in the morning and eat at his leisure. I don't think he eats most of his food in the a.m anyway.

Obviously I can change the routine, but I'm hoping what I'm doing is okay. Not ideal, but okay.

p.s. Stewie isn't having any nare/mucous issues. My question is unrelated to the OP.