Bump above the vent

Dodoshwedo

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Oct 16, 2014
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My 2 girls: a CAG named Dragon and a Caique named Angel.
Bump above the vent. Is this normal? (see pics)

Hi,
I was hoping someone can help me identify if this bump is a normal part of a grey's anatomy.
My almost-5-year-old gray female has started plucking for the last 3 weeks because the human she's bonded to has started leaving the house for 8 hours a day. Her behavior, poops and diet (fresh mash everyday) have remained the same, apart from the plucking. She has plucked her whole back and around her vent area (revealing this bump) and now is moving onto her sides and stomach. She has alot of pin feathers coming in everywhere too. Could it be a nervous reaction to change coupled with a molt?

This bump is above and to the left of her vent. Can it be her lower intestines poking out like that? Or maybe it's an egg forming?

Thanks in advance guys.
 

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Scott

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Aug 21, 2010
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Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Very hard to determine precise cause, appears to be a cyst of some form, or less likely a fatty tumor. Has the size noticeably increased rapidly? Or apparent because of the plucking?

If you are able to take her to a certified avian vet or equivalent, the cause and remedy ought be easily determined.

Plucking is a very difficult behavior to manage. This superb thread explores in great detail: http://www.parrotforums.com/behavioral/52217-plucking-search-answers.html

Please keep us updated!
 
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Dodoshwedo

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Oct 16, 2014
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My 2 girls: a CAG named Dragon and a Caique named Angel.
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I noticed this bump just recently, after she plucked off the feathers that were covering it. Didn't really notice it growing in size.
 

noodles123

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Jul 11, 2018
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Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
If she is plucking the area, it is likely causing her pain. I would get her to the vet to find out what is going on. Looks like a possible cyst of sorts, but it could be other things as well--whatever the case, it is not something I would let go.

Good luck!
 
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Dodoshwedo

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Oct 16, 2014
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Canada
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My 2 girls: a CAG named Dragon and a Caique named Angel.
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I'll get a vet appointment then, thank you.
 

bigfellasdad

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Sep 21, 2017
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Enzo - adopted Female CAG circa 2004. A truly amazing young lady!
Yes, definitely get her to the vet asap and hopefully they can relieve her discomfort. Enzo plucked that area when she laid eggs for the first time so its definitely causing discomfort rather than a psychological issue. To reassure you, Enzo has never plucked prior and post the one time she did it...... its heart breaking to watch them pull the feathers out, even though it took literally 2 minutes to pluck that size patch
 
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Dodoshwedo

New member
Oct 16, 2014
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Canada
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My 2 girls: a CAG named Dragon and a Caique named Angel.
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Update:
Last night was scary: our gray would not sleep and was aggressively pulling out her new regrowth of feathers around her tail, causing them to bleed. It looked like she was in pain, because she kept climbing around her cage and when we let her out, she kept flying from place to place and picking at her bloody tail. First thing in the morning, we drove to an avian vet clinic. Here are the results:
The growth on her stomach is a fat hernia. Nothing to worry about and not painful, the vet says.
We got her gram stains done for her poop: no yeast, looks normal.
We got an x-ray done: everything's normal, she looks healthy.
They also took blood to check for zinc and lead poisoning and we'll have the results in 3-5 days.
But the vet thinks it's behavioral. She's one of many grays who plucks (50% of hand-reared grays pluck) because she's extra sensitive, going through puberty and dealing with the absence of her human. He's referring us to an avian behavior specialist who deals with plucking birds.
He sent us off with a bottle of GABAPENTIN. It's a pain killer and mild sedative gel to be given orally by pipette, to curb her itch to pluck. I just gave her the first dose, we'll see if it works. I'll post an update. I heard people use it for back and nerve pain.
We're gonna get to the bottom of this.
 

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
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San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Glad you took Dragon to the vet and have some answers. Hopefully no sign of heavy metal poisoning. Please let us know about the behaviorist visit. So few answers to plucking.
 

noodles123

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Jul 11, 2018
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Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
Will it go away?
Also, was this a certified avian vet? I know that not everyone has access, but with something like a lump, I feel like I have to ask.
Glad you took her in!
Side-note: My grandma took that medication for nerve pain/itching associated with parkinson's (sp?) disease.
 
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