What sort of Allergies can Parakeets (budgies) have?

Question

I have a few budgies and one of them has been congested lately. He is only about a year and a half old. He isnt sneezing but i notice at night i can hear it sounds like he is clogged up. His nostrils have a bit of dried mucus once in awhile. This isnt a reglar thing, it comes and goes. Lately its more on than off though. He shares a cage with other birds and no one else has been or is currently ill. Their cage area is climate controled via a heat lamp. They are on a seed mix from a local bird shop. Ive tried giving them pellets, but they starve themselves and start fighting, yanking chunks of feathers from each other. Because they only eat seed they have a vitamin additive in their water that the vet recommended.

I have had quite a few birds and i know when its an upper respiratory infection. I dont want to take him to the vet and put him thru the stress of an exam and medicine if he isnt sick.

Ive had him his whole life, and only recently has this come up. Their environment, food, and activities have not changed since he arrived here.

Could he be allergic to something? What are some of the things they are allergic to? Why would he suddenly develop this? How can i treat this?

Answer 1

What kind of other birds are in the cage with him? Cockatiels shed dander and this isn't good for him. Birds normally don't GET allergies,, but it's usually something in the air that's irritating his respiratory system.  If you or anyone in your house have started to burn scented candles or incense, THIS will sicken and kill your bird faster than anything. If anyone in your house is smoking, this will also kill your bird. EVEN if they smoke in another part of the house, it's still IN the house.

Why is it necessary to use a heat lamp in the summer? Do you keep the rest of your house that cold? I think the heat lamp is ALSO causing problems -- parrots are TROPICAL, which means they need a little humidity to keep them healthy.

Answer 2

One bird allergy that I know of is Allergic Alvolitis.  This is a respiratory hypersensitivity reaction (allergic reaction) to repeated inhalation of organic particles. Synonyms include extrinsic allergic alveolitis, budgerigar dander pneumonicosis, bird breeder's disease, allergic interstitial pneumonitis and pigeon breeder's lung.