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About Rev. Dr. S.August Abbott
Expertise
Certified Avian Specialist; Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council member; Own animal rescue org; National Wildlife habitat #66378; bird care, nutrition & behavior consultant; International Assoc. of Animal Behavior Consultants Associate; National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club member; published bird care, info and behavior articles and guides. Ongoing education in exotic bird behavior and nutrition I can answer behavioral, nutritional, environmental, characteristic/personality questions as well as general health and health care. No animal emergency can ever be addressed on the internet. We cannot see your animal, perform an examination, provide necessary care or medication. Please value your companion for the priceless, living creature they are; not for what you might have paid for them.

Experience
Certified Avian Specialist. For more than 30 years I've worked with veterinarians, protective facilities, nature centers, preserves and on my own in providing care and education with regard to multiple animal species, including raptors (hawks, kestrals, owls, etc) and marsupials. In recent years I've focused on parrots, usually rescued from abusive or less than ideal situations and helping educate owners as to proper care. Expert in behavior studies and modification of problem behavior.

Organizations
4AnimalCare is the organization I run as an animal ministry; World Wildlife Association, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club and more

Publications
Bird Talk Magazine articles about rescued and problem macaws.

Education/Credentials
Doctorate, Ordained Minister

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Pet Birds > Parrots > tiel hen plucking

Parrots - tiel hen plucking

Expert: Rev. Dr. S.August Abbott - 11/5/2009

Question
QUESTION: she is picking all of the feathers under her wings. she isn't picking til blood, but she is picking herself raw.

I know she is under a lot of stress. I just moved for the 3rd time in the past year.

how can I help her? She is 7 years old.

ANSWER: What you're describing is wing web dermatitis and you're probably right that it was brought on by stress.   At this point though, it can turn into a much more serious problem so let me go over a few things with you here, including some other possible causes

Administration of appropriate antibiotic therapy is usually undertaken since gram positive bacterial infections are often on cultures.

There are some indications that the bacterial infections actually come first and cause the plucking; or another disease such as Chlamydia, systemic Aspergillosis or PBFD (psittacine beak and feather disease).

Some vets may miss a metal toxicosis (often zinc) as the underlying cause.

Have your vet perform a blood serum test for zinc levels (just in case your vet isn’t an avian vet, zinc levels over 2 ppm are positive for zinc toxicity).   There will also likely be elevated WBC’s (white blood count).

Zinc can be ingested slowly over time when toys, clasps, chains, links or even cages are chewed on or played with. Other poisonings occur when the bird actually swallows a toy, link or piece of one. Watch out for bell clappers for instance.

X-rays should also be employed to rule out toxic ingestion like this.

Administration of a chelating agent to help bind with the zinc is one option for treatment, as well as removal of any foreign object.

More here: http://www.nortonanimalhospital.com/inside/exotics/lead_zinc.html

In the meantime, what’s important is keeping your companion’s food intake up. You can try offering soft foods from a spoon.   Usually well received are pellets soaked a bit in all natural apple or grape juice.   Human baby foods like all natural sweet potatoes/yams, squash, carrots and mixed vegetables are good. If you need to add a bit of apple juice or even applesauce, go ahead.

All natural yogurt (any fruit flavors) are many times helpful too.
Keeping this bird hydrated is important, obviously. An eye dropper with a few drops of apple juice, carrot juice, even Pedialyte, administered to the side of the beak may be accepted.   There is more about feeding and care here www.4AnimalCare.org/birds

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: egads ... this is going to cost me probably thousands of dollars.
I love my baby but I don't make enough to do all of this.
what am I going to do??
now if she dies I am going to feel guilty the rest of my life

Answer
No, honestly, it shouldn't cost that much.

Let's start with one step at a time though ok? Have the initial check up and hear what they say. You'll probably be given an antibiotic - which you must, must, must give exactly as directed and until it's all gone, not just 'til the symptoms seem better.

This, along with the nutritional modifications I've offered and the vaporizer, could be all you need to do.

Birds are like having kids and there are going to be things that happen that you don't expect, right? When a child decides they're superman and can fly off the porch roof, the broken leg is rarely in the budget, but we do what we have to. It's what we signed up for by having them.

Your girl is counting on you now just like she did from the first day you brought her home.

------ I'll be glad to work with you on this all the way, but you have to start with at least the first vet visit, ok?   I'm not sure where you are, but where I am it can be done for less than $100 and that would probably include an antibiotic injection in the office to get her started.

Yes?

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