Blue & Gold Parrot

Question
Hi, I have a blue and gold who is in good health. She is about 18 years old.  About a year and half ago, she started making a noise where it sounds as if her nose is stopped up? Like she is trying to use it but can't. We took her to a vet, and she said it was because of our umbrella cockatoo? Because of the dander that she is breathing it into her nose. We have changed where they are so she is not close to him, washed her nose out over and over, yet she still keeps making this noise? I really worry about her. I was wondering, do parrots seem to have allergies? And if so, what can I do to help her breath more easily if this could be the problem?

Answer
You had a vet check her - GOOD JOB! So many people don't do this simple act of responsibility.
Please stop washing her nose out (I'm sure she's not fond of this and it's not really changing anything).
YES - of all the birds on earth, macaws are known for having allergies! Relax.
Whether it's your cockatoo (which IS likely) or pollen in the air, my own blue & gold develops allergies twice a year that are so bad she sneezes AND her nares (nose) runs! Sometimes it's so bad her whole face is a mess. I wipe her beak with a damp, soft towel, gently clear her nares and keep a close eye on her.
 IF your bird is eating and behaving normally; if her droppings are normal in consistency and amounts, then just increase your vacuuming and maybe try an air purifyer (although I don't find they do that much).

What you need to be on the watch for is the allergy turning into a sinus infection. This needs to be treated with meds that are easily administered, as soon as you notice (again, a change in eating, drinking, droppings, behavior and so on).

We keep a small canister vac (without a beater bar/power nozzle) near the cages and free standing perch areas. Every morning it takes maybe 5 minutes to do a quick vac; another 5 minutes late afternoon and it keeps the dander waaayyy down!

Our girl (Sadie can be seen and her story read at www.AnimalRelief.info) almost always sounds like she's talking into a toilet bowl and every single spring I'm hauling her off to the avian vet for swabs when she's especially clogged up (she's swabbed and cultured for infection) - she's NEVER had one - but I sure do feel better knowing it's just allergies and they'll pass.

See us and ask any questions (www.AnimalRelief.info or www.4AnimalCare.info)

You're a good person to be owned by TWO birds!