hiriki
Well-known member
- Oct 19, 2014
- 411
- 588
- Parrots
-
(Birdie - Jenday Conure)
(Kiwi - Green Cheek Conure)
(Elby - Lovebird)
(Gorou & Liberty - Ringneck Doves)
Hey guys!
I posted a while ago about my cockatiel plucking, and have since seen an avian vet about it. It was just a checkup--I'd chalked her plucking up to stress. Doh!
What I was told is that the plucking could be related to giardia, an intestinal parasite. I can't confirm or deny whether this was the issue, as I passed on the test and skipped right to treating this potential affliction. But past that we also found that her gland thing, you know, on her back above her tail, whatever that is called... was totally infected and inflamed!!
We're treating it and not only does the gland seem to be responding very well to Baytril, she nearly stopped plucking cold turkey overnight! I've had to scold her a few times, but I figure whatever irritation had caused her to do it compulsively before has subsided, because now I can actually get her to stop no problem. Before she'd just pick right back up where she left off.
In conclusion, don't make the same mistake I made!! Even for something like plucking, which you may misinterpret as an anxious/pathological habit, there may be a physical cause! Also, whatever you can do to encourage good diet and bathing habits might work as a form of preventative care. I adopted my Kibble as an adult, and though she now bathes and has a fairly well rounded diet, she didn't before. I believe she's had this problem way back since I got her!!
Thank goodness for thorough vets. She's been to the vet before and they never even LOOKED at her... gland thing, whatever it's called, lol. She's doing much better now.
I posted a while ago about my cockatiel plucking, and have since seen an avian vet about it. It was just a checkup--I'd chalked her plucking up to stress. Doh!
What I was told is that the plucking could be related to giardia, an intestinal parasite. I can't confirm or deny whether this was the issue, as I passed on the test and skipped right to treating this potential affliction. But past that we also found that her gland thing, you know, on her back above her tail, whatever that is called... was totally infected and inflamed!!
We're treating it and not only does the gland seem to be responding very well to Baytril, she nearly stopped plucking cold turkey overnight! I've had to scold her a few times, but I figure whatever irritation had caused her to do it compulsively before has subsided, because now I can actually get her to stop no problem. Before she'd just pick right back up where she left off.
In conclusion, don't make the same mistake I made!! Even for something like plucking, which you may misinterpret as an anxious/pathological habit, there may be a physical cause! Also, whatever you can do to encourage good diet and bathing habits might work as a form of preventative care. I adopted my Kibble as an adult, and though she now bathes and has a fairly well rounded diet, she didn't before. I believe she's had this problem way back since I got her!!
Thank goodness for thorough vets. She's been to the vet before and they never even LOOKED at her... gland thing, whatever it's called, lol. She's doing much better now.