smoking

[Hayden1987]

Now being a former smoker myself i know how hard it is to kick the filthy habit and how bad for our health it is... unfortunately i have recently recieved a 6 yo cun conure who has had to be in the lounge of a smoking family since weaning until i recieved him a year and a half ago... when he came to me the irritation in his eyes was severe and he was plucking his feathers due to the smoke.
What i didnt realise was the trouble going on inside of the poor bugger.. ive recently started teaching him free flight which i teach all my companion birds ( but do not recommend unless you are fullh aware of the dangers and competent in training and have a full bond with your bird). Unfortunately after 6 months i cqn only get 2 short flights from this particular bird due to his extreme wheezing and laboured breathing. He has been to the vets several times but there is no foreign object or fluid in the air sacs, has anyone else had this problem?? Im at a loss. And all this laboured breathing and drooped wings after 2 short flights over 6 months of training... ive never seen it before. Could it be a lack in muscle development from being housed in a canary sized cage and being clipped from weaning unril i recieved him? Look foward to the replies

[KimberlyAnn]

I don't have any information for you. I just want to say how sorry I am for your bird. I'm so glad he has you to care for him!

[Eric&Rebecca]

WE had a rescue cockatiel in the same situation. We managed to get his lungs clear but like human lungs it takes a while for them to recover and clear. It took the little cockatiel around and year/year and a half however he did need antibiotics and medications for his lungs and he wasn't in the smoking environment as long as this bird.. I bathed him in aloe vera mixed in water to help with the smell although there's not a lot you can do about the smell except bathing and sptizing and waiting for the molt.

If he's never flown prior to your training there's a good chance he's still finding his feet. Particularly if he was cage bound previously. It can take years for a cage bound bird to recover let alone one that was in such a small cage.

My advice would be to go to a second avian vet and see if there's anything they can do at this stage. Well done on your rescue!

[Hayden1987]

Thanks for the reply... unfortunately here in nz there arent many vets that specialise in birds... i really only have one option within a 300km radius if where i am. I used to have the knowledge and expetise of a local woman who was one of the best parrot breeders/carers that i have ever met, she had a similar case with a pair of yellow napes but unfortunately shes no longer here with me, and for the life of me i cant remember what she did... I was only 11 and distracted by all the amazing birds she had :/

[Eric&Rebecca]

You can always try contacting vets via email or phone- just for a second opinion. Perhaps try a humidifier or something to try and help his lungs and make sure your bird gets plenty of fresh air time.

[marie83]

Harlie used to live with smokers too and used to wheeze like crazy from the slightest effort. Regarding flying she used to sound like she was about to pass out after a couple of wing flaps, now 6 years on she can fly several lengths of the room without wheezing.
I do think alot is to do with building up fitness slowly. If your doing flight recalls then stick to 1 or 2 until the wheezing goes away, then build up to 3 recalls and practice for a few days, then build up to 4. Probably once your up to 5 recalls without wheezing then you will be safe to jump to 7, once you've practiced 7 then jump up to 10 etc.

That said if your bird was in a smoking environment for years there may be alot more too it than a little damage and lack of fitness. Don't push flights too hard and please get your bird another vet check if you can. I realise avian vets aren't easy to find but the travel and cost may be worth it for the health of your bird and your peace of mind.

[Hayden1987]

Unfortunately from what i have gathered from years and years of searching they are the best in the country for avian medicine. Even being trusted with the critically endangered Kakapo. Which are amazing btw. They are extremely thorough and have given me the same inconclusive diagnosis twice.
Maybe he does just need more short bursts of physical training.
Fresh air is definitely a must for all birds i feel. I house all my conures outside in aviaries (apart from the babies being hand raised) all being suspended aviaries 9'L×4'W×3'H with lots of branches of willow, poplar and apple.. rope swings and perches and all perches are spaced apart to encourage more flight.
Only time will tell with this fella i suppose..

[wdlodge]

Now being a former smoker myself i know how hard it is to kick the filthy habit and how bad for our health it is... unfortunately i have recently recieved a 6 yo cun conure who has had to be in the lounge of a smoking family since weaning until i recieved him a year and a half ago... when he came to me the irritation in his eyes was severe and he was plucking his feathers due to the smoke.
What i didnt realise was the trouble going on inside of the poor bugger.. ive recently started teaching him free flight which i teach all my companion birds ( but do not recommend unless you are fullh aware of the dangers and competent in training and have a full bond with your bird). Unfortunately after 6 months i cqn only get 2 short flights from this particular bird due to his extreme wheezing and laboured breathing. He has been to the vets several times but there is no foreign object or fluid in the air sacs, has anyone else had this problem?? Im at a loss. And all this laboured breathing and drooped wings after 2 short flights over 6 months of training... ive never seen it before. Could it be a lack in muscle development from being housed in a canary sized cage and being clipped from weaning unril i recieved him? Look foward to the replies

What does the vet say about the lack of muscle development in him? I would just take it really slow, and don't push. I'm surprised he even lived under those circumstances. Second hand smoke is worst then what the person who actually smokes takes in. I quit 28 years ago, who knows what residual damage there is, even after all these years. He is lucky to have you...

[Pajarita]

I would say it's both from muscle atrophy AND dirty lungs/air sacs. Exercise, fresh air and CoQ10 should take care of it in time.

[H3lix86]

On behalf of your new feathered friend i would like to extend my gratitude as well i am a smoker but the difference is i don't smoke in the house, and when my bird is in his cage outside i keep a minimum 15 foot distance while smoking. so ty on behalf of the birdie! ^_^