Whats wrong? (if something is)

[nixity]

I imagine that a forum like this should aim for a responsible middle ground between amateur brainstorming and professional avian DVM diagnoses. Also people who post questions here rather than take a bird to a vet should realize that what they get is not equivalent to a vet's orders. But IMO generally negative comments are not helpful to discourse.

I agree with everything you've said here

[Chichireeo]

Oh! You are talking to me, Kathleen? Yes, I think the "you" is me!

I also replied too quickly and thoughtlessly. I realized shortly after I posted that I should have qualified my answer, but it was very late and I did not. Actually I should not have replied at all to the question, but let someone with first-hand experience of potential respiratory problems answer.

HOWEVER, to say that you feel bad about what FF is about because of this thread seems a bit harsh, IMO.

A while back I started a thread about beak-wiping in my GS - I thought it might be territorial behavior. Some very experienced FF members suggested it could be ASM and some recommended that I treat for it. I looked up references on ASM, sought out more advice on diagnosis (eg catch bird, hold beak to ear, listen for breathing that sounds like squishy footsteps), and learned about treatment options. In the end I decided my birds were healthy and did not treat for ASM. (They continue to do fine.) I learned from that thread, and it was on my mind when I first replied to this one.

I image that a forum like this should aim for a responsible middle ground between amateur brainstorming and professional avian DVM diagnoses. Also people who post questions here rather than take a bird to a vet should realize that what they get is not equivalent to a vet's orders. I did stray here and it is right to point out that I should have taken more care in my posting. But IMO generally negative comments are not helpful to discourse. If you disagree with what someone says in their post just say so - preferably at the time you are following the thread. IMO. IMHO.

Enough FF for me for a while

[Chichireeo]

I imagine that a forum like this should aim for a responsible middle ground between amateur brainstorming and professional avian DVM diagnoses. Also people who post questions here rather than take a bird to a vet should realize that what they get is not equivalent to a vet's orders. But IMO generally negative comments are not helpful to discourse.

I agree with everything you've said here

Understood, Tiffany, understood.

[finchmix22]

I agree with Tiffany and Sally. I think we all try to be helpful and sometimes in our angst that we share with someone who is worried about their finch, we want to offer any possible option, so they can best figure out and know what to do, if necessary.
We are all learning, even if giving our opinion from experience. If we stop offering advice, someone might miss important learning information. At the same time, we should qualify our responses and take more time to explain our thinking, which can be difficult in a post. I know I look back at some posts of mine and realize I did not really explain enough of my thought process for someone new to finches.