Urgent help needed

[ILoveTipsy]

I have a 5 year old Jenday Conure named Tipsy. We've never had a problem with him and he was playful and cheerful as always yesterday. I wake up today and check up on him and he's plucked the feathers below his beak and he's bleeding. I'm not sure what's caused this sudden turn and when I showed my mother she told me that she doesn't have the money to send him to a vet. Please help, what can I possibly do to make sure my little friend is okay?

 

[Kiwibird]

Do you have photos of him, before and after? It is very unusual for a happy healthy parrot to pull out large numbers of feathers out of the blue. How badly is he bleeding and where from? Pictures of the wounds? Any other symptoms? Respiratory issues, fluffed and sitting low in the cage, vomiting, abnormal droppings etc...? Any way he could have gotten hold of any metal that could have contained zinc (which would be most metals around the house)? Introduction of anything new to the home he could be having an allergic reaction to?

 

[ILoveTipsy]

Here are some pictures of Tipsy before and after all of this. His behaviour has largely been normal though today I'm just worried about him hurting himself again. Nothing has been introduced in his environment everything is how it always is. The only change has been the weather as we're now into summer and it's a lot hotter but we have the aircons and fans and he's never responded this way to a change in weather before.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Unfortunately your pics have not uploaded.

He's plucked his front/chest?

 

[ILoveTipsy]

Unfortunately your pics have not uploaded.

He's plucked his front/chest?

I think they have uploaded now

 

[plumsmum2005]

Are you sure, cannot see any yet ha ha.

http://www.parrotforums.com/technical-support/6287-how-post-pictures.html

 

[Flboy]

The photos now show!
I am of no help, but that looks so painful!

 

[plumsmum2005]

I am sorry to say this but feel he needs to see an AV. Something is very wrong for him to do this to himself and very possibly is in pain now. Is there anyone who will lend you the necessary funds? Will the AV help spread the costs?

I am tempted to say would he take to a spray but that would possibly introduce infection. Please take him.

He looks a lovely bird.

I had to re log in to see pics, sorry.

 

[Kiwibird]

Poor baby That looks so painful. He really does need to see a vet, infection can set in so quickly in these little guys, but if your mom will absolutely not take him you'll have to use some basic first aid skills at home (perhaps your mom can help?). Use a fresh packet of sterile gauze from the first aid kit with a bit of hydrogen peroxide on it to clean that with (not anything else, many disinfectants safe for people are not safe for parrots). You need to disinfect it so it does not become infected. I'd wear some thick gloves, as peroxide stings when applied to a wound and he may nip or bite you out of discomfort.

Look around his cage, where are the feathers and blood? That looks like an injury, like he got his head or beak stuck and ripped out feathers pulling it out. Is there a toy he got his head stuck in? Between the cage bars? Cage grate?

 

[sonja]

I agree with everyone else - this bird definitely needs to see a vet. Fast.

 

[SailBoat]

Poor baby That looks so painful. He really does need to see a vet, infection can set in so quickly in these little guys, but if your mom will absolutely not take him you'll have to use some basic first aid skills at home (perhaps your mom can help?). Use a fresh packet of sterile gauze from the first aid kit with a bit of hydrogen peroxide on it to clean that with (not anything else, many disinfectants safe for people are not safe for parrots). You need to disinfect it so it does not become infected. I'd wear some thick gloves, as peroxide stings when applied to a wound and he may nip or bite you out of discomfort.

Look around his cage, where are the feathers and blood? That looks like an injury, like he got his head or beak stuck and ripped out feathers pulling it out. Is there a toy he got his head stuck in? Between the cage bars? Cage grate?

I fully agree with the Post by my good friend above!

It is cleanly not plucking i.e. he is not pulling out the feathers with his bill. That leaves the items in the above Post as high possibilities. Complete a detailed inspection of his cage for any and all of the items listed above. There should be a place or places in his cage (bottom) where the feathers have fallen. Above that point, would be the area to search next.

There is a slim chance that as a result of extensive working with the nails of his feet, he may have caused this injury, but like I said, slim.

Cleaning the area as outlined above is required and once cleaned (as stated above) a topical will need to be applied.

Is the area still bleeding? If so, you will need to apply a product like Clotisol. Lightly applying cornstarch would be acceptable for halting bleeding, if it has not already stopped.


It also appears as if the lower jaw is out of position, moved to the left, this could be just the position he is in or as a result of the injury
Please take you Parrot to an Vet!!!!

 

[Loko]

Poor baby That looks so painful. He really does need to see a vet, infection can set in so quickly in these little guys, but if your mom will absolutely not take him you'll have to use some basic first aid skills at home (perhaps your mom can help?). Use a fresh packet of sterile gauze from the first aid kit with a bit of hydrogen peroxide on it to clean that with (not anything else, many disinfectants safe for people are not safe for parrots). You need to disinfect it so it does not become infected. I'd wear some thick gloves, as peroxide stings when applied to a wound and he may nip or bite you out of discomfort.

Look around his cage, where are the feathers and blood? That looks like an injury, like he got his head or beak stuck and ripped out feathers pulling it out. Is there a toy he got his head stuck in? Between the cage bars? Cage grate?

I fully agree with the Post by my good friend above!

It is cleanly not plucking i.e. he is not pulling out the feathers with his bill. That leaves the items in the above Post as high possibilities. Complete a detailed inspection of his cage for any and all of the items listed above. The should be a place or places in his cage (bottom) where the feathers have fallen. Above that point, would be the area to search next.

There is a slim chance that as a result of extensive working with the nails of his feet, he may have caused this injury, but like I said, slim.

Cleaning the area as outlined above is required and once cleaned (as stated above) a topical will need to be applied.

Is the area still bleeding? If so, you will need to apply a product like Clotisol. Lightly applying cornstarch would be acceptable. at halting bleeding, if it has not already stopped.

I agree, this is definitely not plucking - its physically impossible to pluck directly under his beak. Like said, it looks like he got his head stuck somewhere and ripped it out. Look for wherever that may be and remove it or get rid of it immediately and do what has been said, and go to a vet if at all possible.

 

[Flboy]

If possible, can you post a photo of the entire cage?

 

[EllenD]

It does look like a bad abrasion, like he ripped the feathers out and cut the under side of his chin. Cleaning it and applying antibiotic cream would be #1, as already mentioned. #2 would be worrying about whether or not he hurt his jaw, beak, neck, or head when he pulled his head free from whatever it was caught in...

Does he look like he's holding his neck/head differently? Any marks or other little cuts or chips around or from his beak?

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[Kiwibird]

Cleaning the area as outlined above is required and once cleaned (as stated above) a topical will need to be applied.

Any suggestions for the OP of a brand of topical ointment that would be safe? I've never used anything besides peroxide since it quickly breaks down for injuries out of fear other things which will linger on the skin could be ingested or absorbed by the skin.

Also forgot to add, if you are treating the wound at home and not under the care of a vet, you will want to clean it as stated in my previous comment 2-3 times a day until it fully scabs over (then the scabs will form a protective barrier against bacteria). After scabbing, continue monitoring the area for signs of infection (such as pus leaking or excessive redness) until the healing process of the skin is finished and the scabs fall off. The feathers may take some time to grow back and he may have a little bald patch there until they do. The good news is, he looks to be a healthy bird, and a bird in good health has a good likelihood of having a strong immune system capable of fighting off infection and quickly healing the injury

 

[ILoveTipsy]

We finally managed to take him to the vet (after some begging borrowing and stealing) and all shall be well with him. Thank You so much for your time and consideration.

 

[EllenD]

My avian vet told me using peroxide to clean it and then just Neosporin to put on it. I just went through this with my Quaker and his beak, he crashed (I think) and cracked his beak and tore his cere a bit. It was bleeding-so right to the avian vet. I applied Neosporin after cleaning it out twice a day, morning and night, with a Qtip (he just loved this, tried to grab the Qtip every time and wouldn't let go)...but it healed right up. I would think if it's short term she could use any triple antibiotic ointment, though I wouldn't do it for more than a week.

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[Kiwibird]

My avian vet told me using peroxide to clean it and then just Neosporin to put on it. I just went through this with my Quaker and his beak, he crashed (I think) and cracked his beak and tore his cere a bit. It was bleeding-so right to the avian vet. I applied Neosporin after cleaning it out twice a day, morning and night, with a Qtip (he just loved this, tried to grab the Qtip every time and wouldn't let go)...but it healed right up. I would think if it's short term she could use any triple antibiotic ointment, though I wouldn't do it for more than a week.

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Will keep this in mind in the future!

And I totally feel your pain. Kiwi got a (minor) scrape on his cere too a few weeks ago, right between the nostrils. Precision application of peroxide as to not get any into his nostrils while also fighting to get a q-tip that close to his face was an unpleasant experience all around

 

[EllenD]

Lol, I didn't have to watch the nostrils, it was on the side of his cere at least, but man did he ever hate that Qtip! The Quaker screams, shakes, and little angry dance wouldn't stop!

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[SailBoat]

My avian vet told me using peroxide to clean it and then just Neosporin to put on it. I just went through this with my Quaker and his beak, he crashed (I think) and cracked his beak and tore his cere a bit. It was bleeding-so right to the avian vet. I applied Neosporin after cleaning it out twice a day, morning and night, with a Qtip (he just loved this, tried to grab the Qtip every time and wouldn't let go)...but it healed right up. I would think if it's short term she could use any triple antibiotic ointment, though I wouldn't do it for more than a week.

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April, As you stated, the Peroxide is clearly the first choice for an open wound! And, as you stated 2 - 3 time time per day!

The problem with recommending a specific Topical is that non-water based creams and oils result in the feathers near the wound becoming saturated with the topical. Neosporin is commonly found in most homes, but must be applied sparingly and with great care directly to the wound -avoiding contact with feathers is very important. My stating applying a Topical was very loosely stated, and in hindsight too loosely stated. The above application warning should have been included.

Regarding what should be kept in the Home Emergency Kit: We have two different Topicals both 'prescribed' by our Avian Vet. As you may recall our DYH Amazon plucks and we deal with open wounds from time to time. Note: Both require that they are kept cool when not in use, which is fairly common with most prescribed medications. However, I do keep both Peroxide and Neosporin in the Home Emergency Kit.

Thanks for asking April!