Beak disease?

[Anastasia]

Hiya, I'm not personally much into birds and know nothing about them - posting this all on behalf of a non-internet-savvy friend!

She has a lovebird which started out with a small bump just above its beak, started treating it for... something to do with mites, can't remember off the top of my head, but over the last couple of weeks it's started to spread down the beak and the treatment doesn't seem to have made a difference. Starting to wonder if it might be something bacterial perhaps? Apologies for not being too clear - as I say I have no clue when it comes to birds! Hopefully the photo is clear enough.

 

[Allee]

Welcome to the forums. Thank you for helping your friend's lovebird.

That looks terribly painful, I can't give you an accurate diagnosis but I can tell you the condition is very serious. Is the lovebird being treated by an Avian Vet? I think the best advice we can pass along is to have your friend make an appointment immediately.

 

[lomeraniel]

Mites or maybe fungus. I'd definitely go to an avian vet.

 

[Anastasia]

Thanks for the welcome Allee, and for the input Iomeraniel. I think she had been to the vet who suggested mites, but I think they're more a small animal vet than avian. Will have to try and help her find an avian vet! It's in with a few other Lovebirds who have all been healthy for the last few weeks while this one's had issues, so I'm not sure if it would be mites with it not having spread?

Having a look as well, photos online of mites seem to show lots of little holes on the beaks, whereas her bird looks more like it's flaking... Can't seem to find any photos of a beak with fungus so don't know what that's supposed to look like!

 

[lomeraniel]

It could also be PBFD, which needs to be tested with a blood sample and it's highly contagious

 

[SilverSage]

It doesn't look like PBF de to me, but more likely a fungus or possibly mites, though I have never seen either look quite like that. She certainly needs to see a certified avian veterinarian; a small animal vet is likely not going to have that knowledge necessary, and clearly doesn't if the treatment isn't working. Please keep us updated on this, and thank you for helping your friend.


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[Anastasia]

Thank you all for the help and advice - apologies for not updating sooner! She took the bird to a different vet and got antibiotics, but a day after the infected part fell off leaving the bird with no beak. Put iodine on the stubby bit inside to try and stop any bacteria spreading, but obviously the bird was struggling to eat. Was being offered lots of soft fresh fruit but unfortunately showed no interest and passed away this morning... Thank you all again for the help, it really means a lot.

 

[Flboy]

That poor little guy!

 

[lomeraniel]

I'm so sorry. Still sounds like PBFD to me.

 

[Allee]

I'm sorry to hear this. I was hoping for a much happier outcome for the little guy.

 

[texsize]

I am so sorry to hear about the unfortunate outcome.
my heart goes out to you.
thanks for letting us know how it turned out, it's important educational information.
texsize

 

[SilverSage]

I'm so sorry THANK YOU for trying to help.


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