CATHY KRZECZKOWSKI
The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
01-02-1997
THE COCKATIEL WITH THE CHRONIC COUGH
By CATHY KRZECZKOWSKI
Date: 01-02-1997, Thursday
Section: LIFESTYLE
Edition: All Editions -- Two Star B, Two Star P, One Star
Column: PET Q & A
Q. We bought a young cockatiel about five weeks ago. Although she
had some medical problems (sneezing and coughing), the vet gave her
antibiotics and now she appears to be much better. The only problem,
however, is that she has no voice now! She tries to imitate our two
parakeets, but nothing comes out except for a quiet 'coughing' sound.
She's hardly audible. And when she tries to chirp it looks as if she's
hyperventilating. What's wrong with her? Also, can birds be allergic
to their seeds? Our cockatiel loves millet seed spray, but this makes
her sneeze more.
Karen and Joe Casaburro, Fair Lawn
A. Although the antibiotics cleared up her coughing and sneezing,
your bird may still have a lingering infection that's affecting her
ability to make sounds, says Dr. Scott Stekler, a veterinarian at the
Glen Rock Veterinary Hospital.
She may need further treatment, he says, but if the bird is active
and playful and seems to be fine in every other aspect, you may just
want to give it some more time: It may take a few more weeks for her
voice to come back.
On the other hand, your cockatiel may have an air sac infection or
a problem in the lower trachea, where a bird's voice box is located,
says Dr. Robert Groskin, a veterinarian at the Englewood Animal
Hospital.
'An X-ray might be a good diagnostic test to follow up with,' says
Groskin, who notes that the X-ray should show whether there's any sign
of infection in the air sac.
But whatever it is (or isn't), both avian vets agree that your
cockatiel should also be tested for other infectious diseases,
especially psittacosis, which not only can be transmitted from one bird
to another, but also from a bird to a person.
Birds can get it from inhaling or ingesting the droppings from an
infected bird, says Groskin, who notes that people can contract it by
inhaling the airborne bacteria. And since symptoms in people can range
from a severe headache and high fever to pneumonia-like signs, it may be
a good idea for you, as well as your bird, to get a checkup.
As for your question about birds being allergic to seeds: Both vets
say no, although Groskin points out that if the seed is a little dusty,
that might cause a bird to sneeze. Also, birds can have other
allergies, says Groskin, citing secondhand smoke as one of them.
Inhaling secondhand smoke can damage a bird's sensitive respiratory
tract. So if you smoke, try to stay as far from your bird as possible.
Q. After reading your column on the mother of the little boy with
Down's syndrome who is looking for a dog for him, why not a shepherd or
Labrador? Shepherds are notably used for working with the blind and
deaf and have proven themselves in police work as well. They have
excellent search and rescue records. Labs, who like golden retrievers
can be active and playful, are also excellent with children, are easily
trainable, and have a wonderful disposition. They also have a strong
sense to protect and possess search-and-rescue abilities.
Kate Leggiero, Oakland
A. Dr. Peter Borchelt of Animal Behavior Consultants in Brooklyn,
who is searching for a Newfoundland for the little boy, responds:
You are absolutely right. Labs and shepherds would both be good
choices.
But it's hard finding a good line of German shepherds in the United
States. In fact, a lot of military and search-and-rescue people have
had to go to Europe to find good lines.
Labs are great dogs and would make an excellent choice. But they
are bred for hunting and are a bit more active than what we are looking
for. Since the child is only 8 years old, we feel a quieter dog would
be a better choice.
Actually, there is a lot of Lab in the Newfoundland anyway, but
Newfs were bred basically for water rescue rather than for hunting. So
you get the basic protective instinct without the aggression.
Again, labs and shepherds ARE good choices. And if we could find
the right dog out of the right line in any one of these breeds, that
would be great.
Letters should be sent to Pet Q&A, The Record, 1350 Route 23, Wayne,
N.J. 07470. Send e-mail to Cathy Krzeczkowski at newsroom {AT}
bergen-record.com, or fax questions to 628-6197. Answers will appear
only in this column.
Keywords: ANIMAL. HEALTH. BIRD
Copyright 1997 Bergen Record Corp. All rights reserved.
The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
01-02-1997
THE COCKATIEL WITH THE CHRONIC COUGH
By CATHY KRZECZKOWSKI
Date: 01-02-1997, Thursday
Section: LIFESTYLE
Edition: All Editions -- Two Star B, Two Star P, One Star
Column: PET Q & A
Q. We bought a young cockatiel about five weeks ago. Although she
had some medical problems (sneezing and coughing), the vet gave her
antibiotics and now she appears to be much better. The only problem,
however, is that she has no voice now! She tries to imitate our two
parakeets, but nothing comes out except for a quiet 'coughing' sound.
She's hardly audible. And when she tries to chirp it looks as if she's
hyperventilating. What's wrong with her? Also, can birds be allergic
to their seeds? Our cockatiel loves millet seed spray, but this makes
her sneeze more.
Karen and Joe Casaburro, Fair Lawn
A. Although the antibiotics cleared up her coughing and sneezing,
your bird may still have a lingering infection that's affecting her
ability to make sounds, says Dr. Scott Stekler, a veterinarian at the
Glen Rock Veterinary Hospital.
She may need further treatment, he says, but if the bird is active
and playful and seems to be fine in every other aspect, you may just
want to give it some more time: It may take a few more weeks for her
voice to come back.
On the other hand, your cockatiel may have an air sac infection or
a problem in the lower trachea, where a bird's voice box is located,
says Dr. Robert Groskin, a veterinarian at the Englewood Animal
Hospital.
'An X-ray might be a good diagnostic test to follow up with,' says
Groskin, who notes that the X-ray should show whether there's any sign
of infection in the air sac.
But whatever it is (or isn't), both avian vets agree that your
cockatiel should also be tested for other infectious diseases,
especially psittacosis, which not only can be transmitted from one bird
to another, but also from a bird to a person.
Birds can get it from inhaling or ingesting the droppings from an
infected bird, says Groskin, who notes that people can contract it by
inhaling the airborne bacteria. And since symptoms in people can range
from a severe headache and high fever to pneumonia-like signs, it may be
a good idea for you, as well as your bird, to get a checkup.
As for your question about birds being allergic to seeds: Both vets
say no, although Groskin points out that if the seed is a little dusty,
that might cause a bird to sneeze. Also, birds can have other
allergies, says Groskin, citing secondhand smoke as one of them.
Inhaling secondhand smoke can damage a bird's sensitive respiratory
tract. So if you smoke, try to stay as far from your bird as possible.
Q. After reading your column on the mother of the little boy with
Down's syndrome who is looking for a dog for him, why not a shepherd or
Labrador? Shepherds are notably used for working with the blind and
deaf and have proven themselves in police work as well. They have
excellent search and rescue records. Labs, who like golden retrievers
can be active and playful, are also excellent with children, are easily
trainable, and have a wonderful disposition. They also have a strong
sense to protect and possess search-and-rescue abilities.
Kate Leggiero, Oakland
A. Dr. Peter Borchelt of Animal Behavior Consultants in Brooklyn,
who is searching for a Newfoundland for the little boy, responds:
You are absolutely right. Labs and shepherds would both be good
choices.
But it's hard finding a good line of German shepherds in the United
States. In fact, a lot of military and search-and-rescue people have
had to go to Europe to find good lines.
Labs are great dogs and would make an excellent choice. But they
are bred for hunting and are a bit more active than what we are looking
for. Since the child is only 8 years old, we feel a quieter dog would
be a better choice.
Actually, there is a lot of Lab in the Newfoundland anyway, but
Newfs were bred basically for water rescue rather than for hunting. So
you get the basic protective instinct without the aggression.
Again, labs and shepherds ARE good choices. And if we could find
the right dog out of the right line in any one of these breeds, that
would be great.
Letters should be sent to Pet Q&A, The Record, 1350 Route 23, Wayne,
N.J. 07470. Send e-mail to Cathy Krzeczkowski at newsroom {AT}
bergen-record.com, or fax questions to 628-6197. Answers will appear
only in this column.
Keywords: ANIMAL. HEALTH. BIRD
Copyright 1997 Bergen Record Corp. All rights reserved.
