My cockatiel has a blocked up nose. What should I do for her?
It is best to get your bird examined by a vet to find out what is causing your bird's problem. Respiratory diseases can be caused by many things, such as:
- Bacterial diseases can be caused by a number of agents, and sinusitis, abscesses and rhinoliths (stones) can follow on from an infection
- Viral respiratory diseases include influenza caught from a human. The signs vary according to the state of your bird before her infection and the strain of virus involved. Paramyxoviruses are highly contagious and affect most species, and this is a very serious disease. A bird affected by psittacosis, a disease that can be transmitted to humans, can just show very mild respiratory signs
- Fungal diseases include aspergillosis, although in these cases the bird has usually been under stress prior to the infection, such as an overcrowded aviary or malnutrition
- Parasitic diseases can cause problems. One particular form of mite (C pilae) can cause physical blockage of the nares (nostrils)
- Mechanical obstruction of the nares and can cause a persistent sneezing or nasal discharge. Splinters and seed husks seem to be the commonest causes of obstruction. Rhinoliths (stones) can also form in the nasal area as a result of the respiratory infection that can cause further distortion
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