Sick Cockatiel?

[Charlie]

:( Hi!
We have recently bought a new Cockatiel named "Charlie". He (we think hes a he!!) He is about 9 weeks old, and hand raised. Everything was going well untill we noticed that he has started to get red notrals and sneezing, also he is limping on one foot, could this have something to with the cage, or are we letting him out to much? Does any body have an idea? He lived with a budgie for about 2 weeks who we recently found out has Scaley Face. Is this catchy? and can it make them sick? He is a very happy bird, but seems to have lost his "chirp!!"

Any information on helping Charlie would be appreciated!!
Thanks,
Tarnia

[TooLover]

No advice as to what could be happening; IMO no bird can be let out "too much" so that can be ruled out!

[Lynjupiter]

It might be a real good idea to take Charlie to the vet. If he is not chirping, his nostrils are red, he is sneezing, then he could very well have a problem. If there is nostril discharge that is a sign of a respitory problem.
I once won a cockatiel in a bird raffle. I quarentined and had a well bird checkup done. Even though the bird was not really showing any physical signs it turned out to have chylamidia a respitory disease that can be transferred to my flock. I was very very glad I had that vet check done.



Lynda

[The Outlaw]

Hi Charlie:

I don't run to the vet for the least little thing, but what you describe is a sick bird. Why not take him in for an exam. JMHO

THE OUTLAW

[sweetie&meli]

is there any way i could wet my birds nostrils to make them moist, they look a lil dry latley? but shes still healthy and breathing fine:)

[The Outlaw]

I assume that with a Canadian address its still pretty cold where you live. I suggest that you add a humidifier in the bird's room and shower or mist him more often. Our heat sources are very hard on tropical birds. You can also simply add some houseplants (check for toxicity) and they will also help add humidity to the birds environment.

THE OUTLAW

[Monica]

Scaly Face is caused by tiny mites living in or on birds, especially budgies. Mites can easily be transferred from one bird to another, so your cockatiel may have these mites since you say he lived with a budgie for some time. You need to take him to the vet ASAP and check for mites, as well as anything else that may be making him sick. While you are at it, you should also clean his cage, all of his accessories, and clean everything in the area as well as you can because of mites. You can use the bleach and water cleaning method (I think its something like 1 part bleach to 4 parts water, but someone, please correct me here if I am wrong). After you use the bleach-water, you need to thoroughly clean the cage with soap and hot water in hopes to help get rid of mites, as they do spread.

I don't know all the symptoms of a cockatiel catching scaley face mites from budgies, however, you need to treat your cockatiel for these with antibiotics from your avian vet if indeed he has mites. Besides the cockatiel, where is the budgies now??? Is the budgie still alive and taking antibiotics or has he passed on????? I'm taking that the budgie is still alive, and I hope that you are treating his scaley face mites with antibiotics from an avian vet. You need to also thoroughly clean the budgies cage, accessories, everything, just like the cockatiels.

[Charlie]

:D Thank you everybody for your quick replies!! This web site is amazingly helpful!! I will clean the cage very well, Thank you!! The budgie (Nips) Is being treated for scaley face, and now lives with my Mother-in-law so to keep both birds seperate. So just to make sure, I can treat Charlie sor scaley face, even if he isn't presenting any simptoms?
I would like to let you know that Charliw is doing really well know, moving around on his leg more often, and we may think that he has had some sort of "Night Fright" and fallen on his leg, but He is chirping once more, and doing well. We will keep our eyes on him, and if he gets any worse, take him to a vet. His nostrals are clearing up also, and no discharge, or breathing problems to mention.
Charlie is an Inside bird, but I did take his cage out side this morning to give him some air, and he did seem to like the wind and everything, so I think I will do that more often.
Also, does any one have any hints on getting Charlie to talk??

Once again, Thank you all for your great replies!

Happy!! TARNIA

[Charlie]

:?: One more thing, How old is a cockatiel normally when you cen tell what sex it is, and how do you tell?? I have heard so many different ways, but I'm not sure which ones are best for cockatiels.

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR ADVISE!!
Tarnia

[The Outlaw]

Charlie:

I don't have any small parrots, but I've heard it over and over again that the female tiels almost never talk. Sounds to me like you probably have a female. Also, there is something about the color of the spot on their faces and the color or striping on their tails. Again, since I have none I haven't done any research on their coloration. I'm sure someone else will step in and help you figure it out.

THE OUTLAW