Sneezing? Ok or not?

[nels2985]

My 4 month old sun conure Huey, has been sneezing a lot lately and scratching his 'nose'. When he sneezes sometimes mucus flies out and someone told me that birds are not supposed to sneeze. This is my first bird so I am really new at this...sorry about stupid questions, but he is my baby and I guess I'm just a little paraniod. Better to be safe than sorry I guess! Thanks in advance for your help!

-Angela

[KDK241]

It is not a stupid question...I freaked out the first time I heard my birds sneeze (it's how I found this board :). Birds will sneeze on occasion just like people do, and for the same reasons, BUT there should be no discharge or mucus coming from their nose. This could be a sign of a respiratory infection and should be checked out by an avian vet right away.

[Nazir's]

Yes, I agree.... Sneezing w/o discharge is normal but can also be a tell-tell sign of something else going on.... Due to the mucus, I would see an avian vet immediately.

[catschair]

Has anything changed around the house lately? This is the time of year in some regions when the old dusty furnace kicks on and lots of critters sneeze for a while. Of course, it is always better to be safe than sorry, so if it keeps up or there is significant discharge, I would also opt for a doc!

[birdsnreps]

omg, if he sneezes out mucous, i would rush him to the vet asap!! its ok for them to sneeze sometimes, but without mucous. the muscous could mean he has a respiratory infection that needs to be treated asap wtih antibiotics and extra warmth.

[Wiggi]

Did you take your bird to the vet? What did they say?

One of my Sennies, Maya, also sneezes a lot and sometimes she sneezes out mucous too. First time I saw it I got very worried and immediately took her to the vet (she was panting hard when breathing as well, so I thougt it was something really serious). But the vet x-rayed her and took blood tests and found nothing... Maya is a perfectly healthy bird in spite of her strange breathing and sneezing, but in most cases it´s probably not normal and definitely should be checked up by a vet.

[Nazir's]

Yes, an update please. I hope that your baby is doing better.

[Tishrei]

Wow ... now I'm a bit concerned. Ducky has always sneezed for as long as I've known him and sometimes he's sprayed me in the face when he sneezes which is how I know something comes out. I've always figured it was like us, we're sneezing to get something out.

[DarwinTheSun]

Hmmm...Darwin does that too, and has been cheched by a vet too. Everything checked out. He sprays me now and then too (sometimes in the face :(). And, I know he can "make himself" sneeze too, by putting his claw in his nose. So, it also depends on behavior.