Poorly Hahns Macaw

Sadly my 3 year old Hahns Macaw was admitted to the vets yesterday morning as overnight Sunday he had almost chewed through both of his legs in places

He first went to the vets on Friday as he looked like he had something bothering him - much like trying to shake off an insect biting him only he had made his leg red raw in places through biting/pulling out several leg feathers. Brought him home with some oral anti-biotics and cream for his legs and over the next 24 hours made a real improvement, eating, drinking and generally happy albeit a bit tired. Unfortunately Sunday he was not himself, incredibly sleepy and then Monday morning he went straight to the vet when I saw that he had hurt himself so much overnight.

Now he's had his legs patched up as best the vet can but currently has no use of his feet, the huge bandages round them have stopping him chewing though. He is however still picking away. Vet will have a better idea of what's going on in the next few days as to whether they'll heal OK or not.

What I'm wondering is if anyone else has had a similar experience? Plucking seems to be fairly common but not his level of damage! The vet suspects that he may be self mutilating now he's sexually mature and getting frustrated but there was no evidence of that whatsoever prior to this, not even a bit of plucking. Full blood test etc will be done tomorrow as yesterday he had already lost a lot of blood for a small bird. I had suspected maybe giardia parasite from reading online which had similar symptoms but again the level of damage he has done is very extreme.

Sorry for the long post but it's hard for me to understand what's going on - especially as he's suggested that unfortunately I might be part of the problem if it's mutilation If anyone has had something similar happen to one of their birds it would be great to hear from you.

I think if your vet's first response to acute onset mutilation with no prior behavior like that is "boredom" I'd be looking for a new vet. Certainly birds can pluck and hurt themselves due to enrichment issues and neglect, but that rarely goes from 0-60 like this.

I hope they are doing blood tests for toxicity as well as looking for parasites and infections. Those seem much more likely if it just came out of nowhere.

Did this come on suddenly? Parrots do not go from healthy and well adjusted to severe behavioral mutilators overnight. Especially well cared for ones who receive plenty of attention and mental stimulation. It sounds like he is having some kind of pain, itching or other issue with his legs and does not know how else to respond. I hope he has been collared for the moment to prevent further damage and put on a preventative antibiotic to help curb infection to the wounds. I would have the vet eliminate zinc poisoning as a cause ASAP. The symptoms your describing are so so similar to the neurological issues a bird suffering zinc poisoning has. Zinc is extremely toxic to parrots and extremely common in our homes (thus very easy to ingest). I would also have nutritional deficiencies eliminated as well as let the vet know if you give your bird any kind of vitamin drops or supplements (too much vitamins can cause neurological symptoms too). Hope he recovers and the vet can quickly find and treat the issue.

Thanks all. Yes this literally went from perfectly happy to mild chewing Thursday to blood everywhere yesterday morning. Vet didn't recommend a collar last week when I took him home. I must admit I have my doubts about mutilation - seems a bit sudden and extreme? He was still picking at plasters today as if trying to get at legs. Will update as and when I know more, unfortunately avian vets are few and far between here for a second opinion.

Oh no! I hope you get to the bottom of this! Poor little baby! I hope he will pull through and be a happy healthy bird very soon!

Heavy metal toxicity or liver disease come to mind.

how is your parrot now?

thanks

olga lednichenko

Having slept on it Tuesday night we decided we'd give him the best chance possible by taking him to the best avian vet here in the UK. He has had his tests for all diseases and everything has come back clear with the exception of a slightly high zinc and liver reading but still in the acceptable range. X-rays were clear.

He now has a collar and the leg bandages are off to try and heal his wounds. Has new meds and he is home with us now so a bit happier but very sore and ever so sleepy. Will update over next few days, thanks for advice all.

Glad you got him to a top notch vet and that he's feeling better. Poor little guy sounds like he's been through a lot. Happy to hear they got him collared so those wounds can heal up properly. Did they put him on meds for the zinc? Hope he recovers quickly and has no lasting issues

It's just a guess but I think he had an extreme reaction to the cream.Birds don't get that extreme overnight. I will pray for him.I'd get a new vet. Blessings Bonita

Oh, I can feel your pain! I'm going through a similar ordeal right now with my greek cheek conure - he lost a big part of his nail (not a serious injury) and later chewed off over a half of his toe!! Here is the thread:
http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/48116-omg-how-could-happen-still-shock.html
He was perfectly healthy and very happy bird as well, and now he lost over 1/4 of his weight in one week and is miserable. I tried everything and ended up with two collars - tube (you can make it yourself from pipe insulation) and e collar. My vet also put a bandage on him today although I can do it better. I had to put the collars on yesterday since he was not leaving his toe alone and was bleeding every day. He was totally miserable at first, but now since he realized there was no escape he feels a bit better - flies and runs around with other birds and doesn't thrash around trying to get rid of the collar. He is so stubborn with medicine and all the procedures that it just drives me nuts. Hope your bird is better.
Did you try a collar? Without a collar he will rip the bandage off and make it worse. I don't know what caused your bird initial injury, but now when it heals it itches a lot, and he keeps picking on it. You just somehow have to prevent him from picking on his feet even if it makes him miserable for a little while. I went through a week of total nightmare, and I hope so much the things are turning better, but I'm still afraid to hope… I wish you the best of luck with your feathered buddy!

Oh sorry - I didn't notice your reply that he already has a collar!

Just was checking on how your Hahs Macaw is doing today ? What's his name? Will continue to pray. Bonita

Dear MDH, I am not up on the private message or I would do that. HOW IS YOUR MACAW'S LEGS? I pray for sick birds on the website. Bonita