Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My red-lored has developed an air pocket on his left side near the bend of his wing. When I last saw the vet, he said that it was one of his air sacks (like our lungs) he thought he saw a slight bit of infection and gave me antibiotics to give to my bird. I've since given him all of the antibiotic and the air pocket is still there. I've tried periodically gently massaging it down to try to help him breathe the air out, but it doesn't go away. When I last saw my vet, he said that sometimes lancing the pocket will make it go down but that this is common in birds and may come back. Does anyone have any suggestions for me and how serious of a problem is this for his health? We don't have many avian vets in our area, so I just went with the person that the bird breeders in my area have recommended. He's good with my bird and seems knowledgable, but I can't get a second opinion if I can't find another vet!

If you can let me know the general area you are located in I might be able to help find an actual avian vet. Birds can get tumors both cancerous and fatty (among others) and from what you are describing this sounds more like a possible fatty tumor (I'm not a vet and have heard of air pockets but not really like what you are describing!). I would really suggest getting a second opinion and would be happy to try helping locate an avian vet near your area.

I'm located in Locust Grove, GA (USA)

It looks like you are probably nearest to Atlanta out of the more major cities in GA. I went to the www.aav.org site where it lists avian vets and there is one in Atlanta

Sam Rivera, DVM, MS, Dipl. ABVP-Avian
Clinic Name: Zoo Atlanta
Address: 800 Cherokee Avenue, S.E.
City/State: Atlanta, GA 30315-1440
Map: Google Map
P:
F:
Email: srivera@zooatlanta.org

There are also ones in Decatur, Alpharetta, Macon, Athens, Conyers and East Elijah. I am not sure of how far a few of them are from you but most look farther than Atlanta (although maybe easier to drive in LOL! I remember Atlanta traffic but maybe you are used to it :0) There may be more in your area but the seven listed on the aav are the only I have found so far that are registered with the association of avian vets. I have found others in my area that work wonderfully with birds that aren't registered there so although it is not the only place to look it is a good start.

If I remember correctly there is one or more avian rescues in your area and a couple bird clubs semi near to you. If you don't have luck with the vet or site I listed above you might check with them to see which vet/s they use and if they are an actual avian vet.

Good luck, Hope that helped!

The one in Conyers looks promising. Appears that they specialize in exotic pets! It's probably an easier drive than Atlanta, too! Thanks for your help

Yeah when I saw the one in Atlanta I thought it might be closer but I remember my last nightmare drive through Atlanta. We took the bypass before and it wasn't too bad but we missed our turn that time and ended up straight through downtown with up to 10 lanes of traffic at once going in both directions. I am used to what I consider a big city LOL where the max it ever gets to is 6-8 total both directions not more than that going each way

Good luck and let us know how it goes. I am no expert and there is the chance the first vet was accurate (even though I have never heard of that I don't claim to have heard of everything )but on something like that I would definitely get a second opinion.