Hello all, my 5 year old cockatiel has been acting strange tonight. I noticed he had his beak open and is panting like how he usually will if he is out of his cage flying around the house for a period of time. He seems to twitch on his right leg often as if it is bothering him. Other than this he is still whistling and chatty as ever, he is eating and playing, does anyone have an idea of why he seems to be panting, with his beak opening and flicking his tongue rapidly?
2007-01-22 18:02:36 · 8 answers · asked by pandapanda138 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
Hello all, thank you for such quick replies...the tempature of the room hasnt had any drastic change...everything about him is normal, he is still leaving normal looking droppings, eating, drinking, whistling, and playing with his toys...it's just he has his beak open with his tongue flicking rapidly, he also seems to jolt/shake every so often as if he is trying hard to keep himself balanced
2007-01-22 18:28:28 · update #1
Well I woke up this morning and my bird is no longer panting and is still lively as ever, but it does seem he is favoring his right leg, if he did hurt it could he have been panting cuz the pain was stressful to him? also taking him to the vet to be sure
2007-01-23 00:52:29 · update #2
Open mouth breathing is often a sign of respiratory illness in birds (i.e. pneumonia, URI ), but can also be caused by other things. If you have an emergency vet in your area that will see birds, I would recommend taking him in right away, sick birds always stand a better chance if seen and treated quickly. If you are not able to take him somewhere tonight, cover his cage and make sure he is somewhere warm and draft free, try to keep stress to a minimum (dont hold him, if there are other birds in the cage remove them) and call your vet first thing in the morning. Dont let them put you off for a day or two, birds decline rapidly.
2007-01-22 18:13:24 · answer #1 · answered by cs 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Birds are VERY good at hiding any illness until it is too late. So to be on the safe side I would DEFINITELY bring him to the vet to be checked out. If you really love him, then I'm sure you wouldn't want him to suffer if something is truly wrong with him. By the way, his panting has NOTHING to do with mating or being depressed from lack of mating, etc....That is a load of poop. Good luck!
2007-01-22 19:15:17 · answer #2 · answered by shorts712 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Has your bird been sexed? Is it possible that we are laying an egg? Gently feel around the bottom of your bird and see if you can feel a lump in the lower region. If you can feel a lump *she* may be trying to lay an egg. I would defintely take him/her in to the Vet and get checked. As stated earlier, birds hide illness and any signs of distress mean your bird is already very sick.
Good Luck
2007-01-23 00:16:38 · answer #3 · answered by zawni2004 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you possibly have it TOO warm in your house?
Warmer than what he is use to?
If not, I would take him to a vet because I know that birds go down hill fast once they start showing signs of being ill.
2007-01-22 18:15:51 · answer #4 · answered by ♥ Jasmine ♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take him to a vet. A bird can be healthy one day and dead the next. Theyre health goes downhill quick.
2007-01-22 19:24:05 · answer #5 · answered by enb85110 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
CS is right. Respiratory distress due to a viral infection is a possibility. I'm assuming his environmental temperature isn't extreme. Let us know how things go and I hope everything works out well very soon.
2007-01-22 18:17:03 · answer #6 · answered by firestarter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think its because he hasn't been mating. It is optional to find him a mate. He can be so depressed that he want to find a mate fast! It can die of depression.
2007-01-22 19:02:36 · answer #7 · answered by Lovely_T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe he needs water has something in his beak
take him to a vet it would be easier for them to tell you
2007-01-22 18:12:18 · answer #8 · answered by HDMOM77 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋