Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 8/26/2007

Question
Hi Chrys,
I am concerned about my 3yr old lovebird. I have two main concerns. The first one has been going on for the past one year now. He will start itching/biting away and pluck his feathers just under his tail area...to the point where it's bleeding. I have taken him to 2 vets already and they just prescribe him some cream (Hibitane or Panalog) The cream helps and heals, but then he starts biting again...is this a habit? He bathes every 2 days regularly and loves it! Last month I got blood work done & fecal testing, internally everything was fine/negative.
I don't know what to do? He is normally very happy, active and playful. He comes out 2x/day to play and fly around, diet is pellets.
I do have another lovebird which he chooses not to intereact with...maybe because they are both male?! I have them in separate cages though...
How long do i continue putting this cream on him for? side effects? other options?

The second problem is that he has been nibbling on his right ankle this past 2 months. It was bleeding and little swollen. I got it to stop by putting Hibitane on it...but then he starts again!!
This past 2 weeks he hasn't really been himself. He's weak, lost a little weight and is always sleepy. As soon as i take him out to play he just wants to walk around then come to me and sleep day or night.
I don't want him to die...this is getting frustrating...any suggestions?

Answer
Hi, Manija,

Are you taking this bird to a certified avian vet?  A dog/cat vet doesn't have knowledge of birds.  Sounds to me like your bird has a psychological plucking problem since the tests have come back negative.  Also, a strickly pelleted diet isn't enough...pellets are good, but your bird needs more variety in its diet.  Since the medication doesn't seem to be helping, you need to look at other reasons for the plucking.  Think back to when the plucking started...what changed in your bird's environment?  Someone leave the home/new person come into the home, other pets bothering the bird, does the bird have enough toys of the right type to play with, is the cage large enough, new furniture, new paint on the walls...something has occurred that started this bird on a bad habit of plucking itself.  To solve the problem, you have to know what started it to begin with.

Now, this bird seems to be sick if the bird is losing weight and is always sleeping.  I recommend you try a different avian vet as soon as possible.  When a bird starts losing weight, the bird is sick and needs to be treated right away, particularly if the bird is weak.  This means the bird isn't getting enough nourishment and/or its body isn't processing nourishment properly.

Chrys