Hi there, I would like a little more information please.
Did your vet perform any diagnostic testing such as bloodwork or radiographs?
What do you feed your cockatiel
Did the wheezing get any better while he was on the Baytril injections?
Do you have any other birds?
Dr. Kris
Thanks for the information!
The diet sounds great, which helps the immune system work better. Wheezing means that there is something affecting the airways-the trachea, airsacs, lungs, and even possibly the sinus system. Because there was sneezing that you had noted, I am suspicious that the sinus system may be the area affected. However, the entire respiratory system needs to be assessed. This would be best accomplished by taking radiographs. Radiographs of the sinuses can also be done.
I suspect that wherever the problem lies, there is inflammation involved. This would explain why the Baytril may have helped a little, but not entirely.
Staph and Strep are common bacteria and depending on the amount of growth that the culture showed, likely were only contaminants. Sometimes, cultures need to be taken from deeper inside the affected tissue (lung,sinus....).
You didn't mention that a complete blood count (CBC) or protein electrophoresis was done. These are 2 more diagnostic tests that I would recommend. The CBC can show evidence of true infection and the protein EPH can show evidence of acute or chronic inflammation/infection and sometimes helps discern between fungal, viral or bacterial infection.
Please follow up with your regular avian veterinarian for these diagnostic tests. I would appreciate hearing the results, and am happy to help you with any further questions that you may have.
Avian Veterinarian
DVM since 1992, Member of Assoc.of Avian Vets. 1992, co-Medical Director for The Gabriel Foundation