Skin Biopsies

Has anyone had a skin biopsy on their bird? My avian vet is recommending one done on my old cockatiel who is feather plucking but I am worried about the whole thing from the wound left to the healing. Would love to know other people's experiences. Was it worth it? Did it come back with a definite diagnosis?

It is part of a new way of looking at plucking and a way to quickly determine whether it is a medical issue. Commonly there are two biopsies taken, one at the plucking site and one else where, but away from the first.

Yes, we have and as part of the original study. And for the Moderators, I am still pushing my Avian Vet for the Study Paper.

Have you had a skin biopsy done on a bird of yours? How big was the wound? Did the bird need a collar afterwards? How long did the wound take to heal? Was any useful information obtained through the biopsy? How did the bird cope with a collar, if it had one.

As stated, our Amazon was part of the original study, although his results are not used in finial documentation. The test did cleanly show that his plucking was not due to a medical condition.

The two biopsies where very small and a stitch was used. One was within the area that was actively being plucked and a remote site with no plucking. The two separate single stitches had been removed 10 days later, which is normal.

The sites was so small as to be difficult to even see that any Biopsies had even occurred. No collar was required nor had our Amazon had any interest in the Biopsies sites.

FYI: I have been very open regarding the care of my Amazon and have also listed where I am located. Yet, you seem unwilling to do the same. It is very important to have some idea of where in this huge World a member is responding from. That is certainly true when leading edge Avian Vet services are being recommended and practiced. To request that I provide detailed information regarding my Parrot / Vet services and to not provide like base information is to say the least - cold. Just Saying!

Dear Sailboat,

I don't understand the last paragraph of your reply. I do not know where you are from. This is my first time on the parrot forum and the first question that I have asked. I am from Melbourne, Australia. I appreciate your detailed reply. I was just concerned about the procedure of having a skin biopsy done on my bird and was interested what other have experienced with their birds.

Well, I noted per the information in the upper right hand corner that your join day was back in September 2015.

Providing leading edge Avian Vet practices can be very helpful or not helpful it all depending on where in this huge World one lives.

In addition, the Parrot Forum has members from nearly everywhere in this World, even Australia. By listing at least Australia, members in Australia can respond when timeliness is important. So, when you get a chance, please add your location: well at least Australia.

Hope your tiel does well.

I joined in September but never went on the site or asked any questions. I subsequently lost my username and password. When I was confronted with this recent problem with my cockatiel and wanted to know other people's experiences with skin biopsies, I decided to post the question on this forum. So I had to contact the moderator of the forum to get my username, etc. So basically, this was the first time on the forum and asking a question.

Well, welcome back, for the first time! And, thank-you, for adding your location! The goal is to help, share, support and provide comfort when needed and most importantly; share the loving happiness of the joy of being owned by Parrots.

There is no question regarding the difficulty of being owned by our beloved feathered family members who are suffering with plucking. The fear of any surgery, let alone any suffering, when we already know that they are hurting.

The best news is that your Avian Vet is continuously learning and there by providing you and your feather family member with excellent care.

If you proceed with the skin biopsies, please know that you have a World of members that care!