My two year old got a hold of my parakeet a few weeks ago. She plucked some of the feathers out of the back of its head with her teeth and injured its leg. It left a noticeable bald spot, with a few blood spots, and a badly limping bird. The leg has healed, but the bald spot seems to be growing. The area she plucked out is a nice pink color, but all around that area where the other feathers have fallen out it is red, as if there is a shallow blood blister under the skin. I separated it from the other parakeet we have just in case she's plucking the feathers out of her friend. Is there anything else I should do? I've heard of parrots getting plucked by other birds and the feathers never grow back. Is this possible in a case like mine?
2007-10-29 10:05:35 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
You did the right thing by separating the bird from the others. I'd take your bird to a vet. Let them check it out. Tearing out feathers is usually due to stress. It could even be a parasite or skin condition that is causing the bird to pull out its feathers. I once upon a time ago had a cockatiel that constantly pulled out it's feathers. It was dreadful to watch as it would scream in pain. I took it to an avian vet and he couldn't figure out why it did it. He was healthy etc. He just liked to pull his feathers as people tend to bite their finger nails. Just a strange habit. Definately take your bird to a vet to rule out any illness. If your bird is under stress the vet will know. Putting the bird on a better diet and giving it supplements can reduce stress. ASK A VET BEFORE ADMINISTERING ANY MEDICINES AS IT COULD WORSEN THE PROBLEM. I wish you luck....and I hope he doesn't yank out any more feathers...
2007-10-29 10:26:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually when feathers are plucked out, they grow right back. Since you see an unusual skin condition where feathers have fallen out, and since your child plucked the feathers "with her teeth," there may be an infection. The human mouth is notoriously germy. Some kind of gentle antibiotic might help. You could try the kind you put on a cut; or it might be a fungus, which would respond to athlete's foot medication. This is if you want to try these before going to the vet, since I gather that otherwise the bird is in good health. There might even be a product you could buy at the pet store.
2007-10-29 18:02:28 · answer #2 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would get to a phonebook and locate the nearest Avian vet and give them a call, carefully describing every detail! They may request you make an appointment so they can see her and hopefully get a diagnosis for the skin's problem. There could be an infection or a kind of rash. You can bring her in a shoebox with a layer of woodchips. It is also a good idea to bring someone else to hold the box to make sure it stays steady in the car.
I hope you are able to find and fix what is wrong!
--Kayla
2007-10-29 17:16:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take the bird to the vet, thats my best advice!
Good Luck
2007-10-29 17:08:53 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i think what you should do is take it to the vet, or if that is to expensive take it to a pet store and ask for some suggestions as what medication to buy or what to do.
2007-10-29 17:09:54 · answer #5 · answered by theanswerrr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably take it to a vet to get checked out
2007-10-29 17:10:26 · answer #6 · answered by twistoffate2099 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋