cockatoo wound

Hi everyone
I could really use any advice people might be able to provide on this. I have a galah cockato called Cookie. She has been plucking for many years. It started with a calcium deficiency which is now sorted. However, two weeks ago I noticeda nasty wound under her wing where she's obviously chewed the skin. And she kept picking at it, making it bleed and wouldn't let it heal. So we took her to an avian vet who said she neededa collar. I've put off having one fitted but at this point thought I should at least try it. It was a disaster. She injured herself more over night , splitting the skin on her breastbone and ccutting up her wings. By the morning she was refusing most food, had lost weight (already being a very dainty bird it was weight we couldn't afford her to lose) and was unresponsive to any interaction. it was like she just gave up. So we took her back for an emergency vet and he took the collar off. She's been pretty low since. We have metacam and antibiotic. I'm spraying her wounds with f10 as prescribed. But now I'm back to the original problem where she may start to pick at the wound under her wing. So, does anyone have any advice on stopping herfrom picking at that wound?

I've never heard of using F10 on a bird...has the vet considered Bacitracin oinment? Maybe also using 'bitter beak' or another bad-tasting liquid on the feathers near the wound?
Also is this an avian vet, or a 'small animal' vet?

I'm using heal x cream which the vet said was excellent. The f10 is diluted for use on a parrot. And yes this is an avian vet who I trust and have used for years. I've thought of using something bitter but it would need to be suitable to put straight on the wound as she's picking at it where it's sore and itchy. We're also testing pet remedy which is a plug it and was recommended by the vet. He said it's had some success in feather pluckers but we'll see. I'm also giving her a bit of guardian angel in the hope it'll help the wound heal a bit faster and am watching her like a hawk.

Was the collar a hard plastic one?

I use ones made of fabric. More flexible and they have things to chew on and preen.

It was hard plastic. I've tried other alternatives - soft collars, jackets etc but in all cases I end up with a girly that won't eat. She's always been quite an anxious bird so I'm hesitant to do anything that may further stress her out.

riddick07 said:

Was the collar a hard plastic one?

I use ones made of fabric. More flexible and they have things to chew on and preen.

Click to expand...

Out of interest- where can you buy these? Are they lightweight? As I said before, Cookie is very dainty. She couldn't even lift her head with the satellite dish the vet put on, even after we cut it down some. I'm in the UK and wonder if one of these might be worth a try.

I get them from the parrot rescue that I've been volunteering for the last year or so. Yep it is lightweight. Folger is about the size of a galah maybe slightly longer but that's about it.

I can ask for the contact information for the person that makes them the next time I am at the shelter. Nevermind Jeanne is coming over tomorrow for an adopter so I can just ask her then!

I am also surprised of the use of F10 on the actual bird. I understand your vet told you it was ok. But have you read the complete directions and warnings that come with F10? It explicitly states NOT to use it on birds or people. To use on hard, non porous surfaces. Even says as much to get the bird out of the room before you do the spraying, and clean it off/let it dry before they are put back in the cage.

I've also noticed that Bactroban cream is useful for not only helping with healing the wound, but also stopping the bird from picking. It's worth asking your vet for their opinion at least

Jasper19 - it's not f10 disinfectant. It's ready to use antiseptic solution used for wpunds and nebulizers.
Thank you riddick07. I appreciate it. Thought I might try a parrrot poncho but can't seem to find somewhere in the UK that makes them.
Mekaisto - I'll look into the Bactroban cream. We've been doing so well but it looks like it's been picked at again today. Very frustrating.

So I got three different people off Jeanne that can do the collars!

Steff Mueller
https://www.facebook.com/Birdpreferred/timeline?ref=page_internal

Pam Skidmore
https://www.facebook.com/ProtectiveParrotPetalsByPam

Patti Lenaire
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Picky-Parrot-Products/279847898716445?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal

Chala86 said:

Jasper19 - it's not f10 disinfectant. It's ready to use antiseptic solution used for wpunds and nebulizers.
Thank you riddick07. I appreciate it. Thought I might try a parrrot poncho but can't seem to find somewhere in the UK that makes them.
Mekaisto - I'll look into the Bactroban cream. We've been doing so well but it looks like it's been picked at again today. Very frustrating.

Click to expand...

OH i see...i was so confused

Thank you again Riddick07. I'll have a look at the links.
Jasper1. - my fault. I should have been clearer.

I had a look at the soft collars but with the severity of Cookie's wounds couldn't afford to wait for one to be shipped to the UK. So I had a go at making one myself and thought I'd share the result.

That looks really nice! Hopefully it will prevent further harm.

I'm just wondering whether Cookie has plenty of stuff to chew? My Dominic goes through heaps of cardboard every day (house looks like a fair dinkum mess, but who cares?) and goes spare if he runs out of stuff.

In our case, pizza boxes and egg cartons are the favoured chewy material, although any cardboard will do at a pinch. I keep a wire hanging basket (planter) filled with the stuff and Dom chomps away for most of the day. If you think about it, Galahs spend an awful lot of time chewing away at eucalyptus and callistemon bark in their native environment. They really need a LOT of chewy material. The other thing Dom loves to chew is the wooden architraves on the windows. Oh, and wood-venereal cladding, which has a very satisfying top layer that tears off in strips and makes a fabulous noise as it does so.

Try giving Cookie some different chewy things (ie. different from what she's used to) and it might just occupy her enough to let her skin heal.

Dominic sends his most respectful squawks to his new friend, Cookie. He would like her to know that he's bald right down his back and front but is still a very seductive-looking Galah. XX

PS. Forgot to add - I LOVE your soft collar! Well done! Is the collar part made out of ribbing?

Cookie has a cage full of toys - coconut, wood, sisal , cardboard etc. Unfortunately she rarely seems interested, although since putting the collar on she seems to be destroying them more. The collar is made of fleece (the blue part) and the little turtleneck is the top part of a child's sock. I'm just waiting on some new fleece so I can makea collar in her colours. Seems to be working so far though and hopefully she won't find a way around it. If she does it may need some adaptations but we'll see how we go.