My cockatoo has bad breath

Question
Jan,

My 7 year old Cockatoo Morgan has some funky breath.  Almost a sour stench.  I made and apointment at the vet but was wondering if i should try some home remedy or alter something before i blow $150 for the vet.  If it could be life threatening i'd go, but i'm worried its not and i'm recently unemployed.  His behavior is good, normal eating, normal drinking, normal activity.  whats your take on the stinky beak?

jacalyn

Answer
Hi Jacalyn,
 I was surprised this morning to find an email from Allexperts saying that I had an unanswered question  here. I answered this within about 4 hours of getting it the first time but apparently for some reason, the answer didnt go through. I apologize for that.

In my first answer to you I explained that you should get your bird to the vet even if none of his other behaviors seem to indicate that he doesnt feel well. My rule of thumb with birds is that anytime you notice something VERY different in their physical appearance or behavior, that causes you a little concern, you need to get them to a vet.
The reason for that is that birds are designed to hide illness until they just absolutely can't do so anymore. In many cases when a person notices that a bird is ill, that bird is already so ill that treatment is going to be too late or at best, very difficult.

If this odor is something you have never noticed with Morgan before, go ahead and follow your initial instints and get him in to the vet. I understand that when you are out of work, that $150 is much needed money for getting by, but when you hold that money up against the life of your beloved bird.. it becomes much smaller. I never advocate home remedies for anything, at least not until a vet has been seen.

Best of luck to you and again I apologize for this taking so long. I dont know what part of the system failed but you should have had my original answer days ago.

Jan