ruffledfeathers
New member
Say a prayer for little Gilbert. I am not sure what is going on, but I got home from work yesterday and saw about 50 feathers on the bottom of his cage! I took him out and inspected him and he had pulled them all out of his left leg and on his lower back on the right side! Like plucked bald and raw looking! He has always had perfect feathers and not done this.
So I called as soon as they opened today and he is going to the vet later. On the phone the vet said it sound like something suddenly upset him but I still want the full exam and labs done to rule out any possible disease/infection.
I'm going to make a list of everything to go over with the vet but the only thing I thought of is that on Sunday, Monday & Tuesday he seemed moody (he is never anything but 100% happy go lucky and cheerful, I know I'm super lucky). He was refusing to get back in his cage and lunged at me when I tried to bring him to his cage. And he hasn't seemed to enjoy his cage like he used to (rarely plays with the toys now, just wants to be with me).
I have no experience with this, as I have never had a bird who pulled feathers. And Gilbert probably gets MORE attention and love and training than any of them did. But, I do work full time and he only gets me at night. (but that's all he has ever known and it's been fine....)
Wish us luck at the vet. I hardly slept last night, crying over him possibly being stressed or sick. He is such a sensitive bird, very sweet and emotional and eager to please. I hate the thought of anything making him less than happy.
So I called as soon as they opened today and he is going to the vet later. On the phone the vet said it sound like something suddenly upset him but I still want the full exam and labs done to rule out any possible disease/infection.
I'm going to make a list of everything to go over with the vet but the only thing I thought of is that on Sunday, Monday & Tuesday he seemed moody (he is never anything but 100% happy go lucky and cheerful, I know I'm super lucky). He was refusing to get back in his cage and lunged at me when I tried to bring him to his cage. And he hasn't seemed to enjoy his cage like he used to (rarely plays with the toys now, just wants to be with me).
I have no experience with this, as I have never had a bird who pulled feathers. And Gilbert probably gets MORE attention and love and training than any of them did. But, I do work full time and he only gets me at night. (but that's all he has ever known and it's been fine....)
Wish us luck at the vet. I hardly slept last night, crying over him possibly being stressed or sick. He is such a sensitive bird, very sweet and emotional and eager to please. I hate the thought of anything making him less than happy.