Bird Laboured Breathing
- Unlike humans, birds have a system of air sacs in their chest and abdomen linked to the lungs and
skeletal system. These air sacs assist birds in flight. - Any infection of the respiratory system is very dangerous because it can spread throughout the body via the air sacs.
- It is difficult to detect the chest movement of healthy birds as they breathe.
- Healthy birds may pant with their beak open in very hot weather.
Causes
Labored breathing may be caused by:
- Hot weather.
- Infection.
- Parasites.
- Shock.
Signs
- Breathing rapid and shallow or slow and deep.
- The bird’s beak may be open.
- Poor exercise tolerance and reluctance to move.
- Noisy breathing, such as wheezing and clicking.
- Fluffed up.
- Coughing.
- Poor appetite.
Treatment
- Handle the bird as little as possible.
- Place the bird in a quiet, warm (30°-32°C (86°–90°F)) environment with subdued lighting.
- Make sure water is available.
- Clean the bird’s nostrils of any nasal discharge:
- If the discharge is dry and adhering to the nostrils, remove using tweezers (forceps).
- If the discharge is watery, wipe away with a moist cotton bud (swab).
- Isolate the bird. Many respiratory diseases are highly contagious to other birds, and a few, such as psittacosis, are contagious to humans.
- Contact your veterinarian.
Caution
- Labored breathing may be the sign of a life-threatening problem.