Kili Making Bubbling Sound, Should I be alarmed?

[pchela]

Well, as I said before, you know your bird. I think you'd sense something was wrong if she were sick. I just posted the list so you can keep an eye out for any of that behavior in the next few weeks, just to be safe.

[Michael]

I've been worried sick over this and people were making me even more anxious by telling me they thought Kili is sick based on my descriptions.

This morning I called a parrot behaviorist and she agreed with me that it sounds like a behavior somehow linked to hormonal/mating behavior more so than illness. I did not suspect Kili of being sick but was worried about strange behavior. Other people were edging me that it could be illness so I just gave up and went to vet. Vet did a physical examination of Kili. I could have done this myself! Heck I had done this myself already!

He checked her beak, throat, nasal passages, eyes, poop, etc and said they all look normal and that she looks perfectly healthy. And of course she did not repeat the bubbling behavior for him because she is not sick and cause she is hormonal and gets excited for me. Actually it was debatable who was the vet because I took her out of the carrier and brought my own towel to wrap her in. The vet was impressed and said "you know how to handle a bird." I was explaining to him what I didn't think the bird was sick that I haven't noticed any change in behavior otherwise and that activity level is high, that weight is normal (weigh her daily). He was surprised that I weigh her and thought I know what I'm doing. He noticed that Kili's beak and nails are trimmed and in good shape. I even listed symptoms I was suspicious of and behavior analysis, etc. I paid $75 basically for him to confirm what I already know. So I'm barely any more at east because the behavior issue isn't solved and his diagnosis was based on the exact same parameters as mine! That's why I was reluctant to go to a vet and called a behaviorist first but the behaviorists inability to pinpoint the behavior left me wondering. Also since Duke died a month ago and because I am looking into getting another bird, I had to make sure that Kili was in good health all together.

So the vet visit did not solve the behavior problem or even understand it but this visit taught me that I already know what to check for in terms of illness and that besides running tests, the vet really has little more tools than I would already for checking bird. Heck from a physical standpoint I probably have the advantage because I can monitor her food, weight, and behavior levels. He thought it was pointless to run tests because she seems perfectly fine. He said tests are more for pinpointing illness on a clearly sick bird.

Oh well, I guess I can just count this as a yearly check up visit and leave it that. Thanks for everyone who consulted me about this, I will still be looking for answers about the bubbling behavior in the upcoming future and monitoring her behavior.

[Michael]

BTW, Kili had the vet and all his staff really impressed doing tricks for them. After Kili's exam he asked if she would start flying if he let her out of towel so I took her and she calmly sat on my hand and then my shoulder while we talked without flying around unnecessarily. As I was leaving, he showed me his dog and held it upside down in his hands and told me he taught it that and I said so what? I taught my bird that!

His staff was totally unfamiliar with birds so they were curious so I took Kili out and she did shake, wave, nod, wings, bat, and bang (play dead) for the staff. Kili was just great and everyone was really impressed. So if not the exam. the greatest benefit of the visit was the socialization

[pchela]

My Meyers has just started displaying some hormonal behaviors in the past week or so. She never, ever bites but suddenly she is biting and puffing up and swaying and chewing way more than normal. I wonder if Poicephalus are "in season" this time of year instead of the standard spring time?

I'm sorry you had to spend $75 to find out nothing. I wish you had an avian vet close to you.

[MissLady9902]

Just remember with birds one or two symptoms are a big thing. Especially with Duke being sicke recently too. Kili definitly needs to go to a vet.

[Michael]

Hello? Kili's been to the vet today for no reason. She's healthy. The vet was amazed in what great shape she is (nails, beak, perfect weight, etc) and probably thought I was an idiot for bringing her in.

[MissLady9902]

Sorry, I forgot to read page two...

[MissLady9902]

His staff was totally unfamiliar with birds so they were curious so I took Kili out and she did shake, wave, nod, wings, bat, and bang (play dead) for the staff. Kili was just great and everyone was really impressed. So if not the exam. the greatest benefit of the visit was the socialization

You should have charged $80 for the show then you would have made a profit! Sorry about the vet prices. It's only $30 here for me to take my bird to the vet.

[Michael]

No problem. Mostly I went to the vet for me and not for her. I was already fairly sure about what was going on, that she wasn't sick, and made my own diagnosis. The big thing is that there was a lot of pressure and stress on me. Between the death of one bird looming over me, the urging from a lot of people to go to a vet, the uncertainty, etc... I had to go just so the vet could confirm what I already believed to make things a bit easier for me.

It just pissed me off to pay $75 for him to conclude the same thing I did using the same exact methods! If he at least did something different or whatever. He didn't even run any tests cause she appears totally healthy... Oh well, at least I will get a good night's sleep tonight.

[Mona]

HI Michael:

I am glad that Kili is okay, but this is a good time to remind people that they should establish a relationship with an avian vet in their area BEFORE you are worried about illness. Ideally, every parrot should go to a vet when acquired and they should visit an avian vet every 18 months or so for well bird exams.

An Avian certified vet takes a test that challenges their understanding of avian systems. Birds are much, much different than mammals so it is a bad idea to take one to a dog/cat vet. In the years that I have been involved in the avian community, I have seen much harm from bad vets or vets that do not know what they are doing.

It is a good idea to ask people in your area that have birds to see what vet they use. You can also do a search on the intranet: Avian Certified vets or Avian vets in your area. There are a few websites that have suggestions.

Every body should do this BEFORE an emergency happens. It will save your birds life.

You will end up having to spend some money because avian vets are very specialized...but in the long run, it is worth it. By getting well bird exams, you are also helping that vet maintain their practice so they will be there when you do need them.

Thanks

Mona