Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 1/2/2007

Question
i have two parakeets, one male(yellow) and one female(blue). the female one is getting this weird inflammation around her nostril holes above her beak. She is breathing heavily through her mouth, and seems to not be able to breath trough her nostrils. what's going on with her? at first i thought she might   be in breeding condition, but i'm not sure... what do you think it is?  

Answer
Hi, Raquel.  Thanks for posting!

I'd say your bird has a respiratory problem, unless her cere is turning dark brown and getting crusty.  If it's turning crusty and turning dark brown, then she's coming into breeding condition (doesn't mean you have to breed her).  However, the heavy mouth breathing and not being able to breathe through her nostrils tells me it's a respiratory problem.  If a respiratory problem, she needs antibiotics, so you'll need to take her to an avian veterinarian for evaluation and the proper meds.  Don't hesitate in doing this, as your bird could go downhill quickly (in a day or 2) if it's respiratory.

Could this bird be eggbound (have your birds mated)?  An eggbound bird will breathe heavily, but they will usually go to the cage bottom and act very sick.  You might even see an egg or part of an egg showing through her vent.  If this is the case, this is a life-threatening condition for a bird and requires immediate avian vet care or the bird will die.

If neither of the above apply and you believe your keet has a lump of some type, this will also need to be evaluated ASAP by an avian vet.  

In any case, if your bird is having trouble breathing, you need to get the bird medical care ASAP.

Chrys