Guacamole
New member
Hi, my name is Laurie.
Guacamole, a 29 year old yellow nape amazon came to live we me after my Mom passed away. She is pretty amazing and we have bonded very well. I've had her for a little less than a year, and I thought she was very happy with all of the attention I give her. In April she started chewing at her legs, a problem she had had before. My Mom tried everything to stop it, diet, vitamins, red palm oil, and collars. I took her to my boxers vet, who specializes in birds. He diagnosed her with Necrotic Foot Syndrome, telling me that it was specific to amazons. He said nobody knows why they do it, that there is no cure, just the hope that it can be managed. He put a plastic spool on Guacamole's neck, but within a week, she managed to get to her legs again and really mutilated them. Now she has a clear plastic disk installed on the spool. She's been wearing this contraption since April 15th. Her legs have healed but the vet wants to keep it on for a while longer, in fear of her going right back to chewing again.
I put vitamins on her food, feed her a premium mixed seed and give her fresh fruits and veggies every day. Ants have become a huge problem. I've read here about using borax, but I've got two boxers (mine and my parents) and a cat. I'd hate for the dogs to drink it, and they would.
Has anybody had this problem? Does anybody have any suggestions for us? I now see first hand why my Mom got so upset when this happened. It really is quite difficult, and my heart aches for this poor bird who harms herself. Thanks, Laurie
Guacamole, a 29 year old yellow nape amazon came to live we me after my Mom passed away. She is pretty amazing and we have bonded very well. I've had her for a little less than a year, and I thought she was very happy with all of the attention I give her. In April she started chewing at her legs, a problem she had had before. My Mom tried everything to stop it, diet, vitamins, red palm oil, and collars. I took her to my boxers vet, who specializes in birds. He diagnosed her with Necrotic Foot Syndrome, telling me that it was specific to amazons. He said nobody knows why they do it, that there is no cure, just the hope that it can be managed. He put a plastic spool on Guacamole's neck, but within a week, she managed to get to her legs again and really mutilated them. Now she has a clear plastic disk installed on the spool. She's been wearing this contraption since April 15th. Her legs have healed but the vet wants to keep it on for a while longer, in fear of her going right back to chewing again.
I put vitamins on her food, feed her a premium mixed seed and give her fresh fruits and veggies every day. Ants have become a huge problem. I've read here about using borax, but I've got two boxers (mine and my parents) and a cat. I'd hate for the dogs to drink it, and they would.
Has anybody had this problem? Does anybody have any suggestions for us? I now see first hand why my Mom got so upset when this happened. It really is quite difficult, and my heart aches for this poor bird who harms herself. Thanks, Laurie