Beak trimming

[FreddyCheeks]

Recently I've had to start trimming Fred's beak. He'll look fine for a good while, then will out of no where have a under bite. I trim it back a little and it goes back to normal. Just seeing if anyone else has this issue and what might be causing it. Has wood chew toys, sanding perch, out of cage most of the time. Not sure what's up.

 

[SilverSage]

You need to take your bird in for blood work.

How old is your bird and how long have you had him? This is almost certainly a sign of an underlying health issue.


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[FreddyCheeks]

Had him since the get go. 4+ years.

 

[SilverSage]

If his beak is just now starting to do that then yes, please hurry and get blood work to determine what underlying health problem is causing it. Fatty liver disease is what pops to mind


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[wrench13]

Thank you Sage for that info. This board is an amazing fountain of parrot care advice!

 

[Notdumasilook]

Bingo... could be liver issue and with luck caught in time. Also.. let a pro do the trim work. You can do what looks right to you but end up causing more harm than good.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Do his nails grow at a rate also? Have you any other signs things are not as they should be?

Definitely agree to the CAV doing any trimming as you don't want to cause your bird pain do you?

Let us know the CAV test results please?

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=15+1829&aid=2752

 

[LordTriggs]

yes a visit to vet may be on the docket for you. Even a quick phone call to ask about it. They'll recommend you come in but it's good for them to have an idea of what to expect and get some notes together. I'd also say getting a vet to do trimming is the best bet just as the beak is super sensitive, much like a tooth. I know I'd only let a dentist near my teeth haha

 

[YUMgrinder]

My perry does this. scissor beak I think I've heard it called. He has a growth on one side of he beak that slowly grows weird on the edge causing his beak to misalign. I've let it grow to see what happens and it usually chips away once it gets long enough but I found that I can trim it myself with no discomfort to him and his beak goes back to normal. It's the very edge though and I would not recommend trimming it if it's even just slightly more than a little bit. Perrys growth is almost razor thin like a finger nail. It's weird.

 

[SilverSage]

My perry does this. scissor beak I think I've heard it called. He has a growth on one side of he beak that slowly grows weird on the edge causing his beak to misalign. I've let it grow to see what happens and it usually chips away once it gets long enough but I found that I can trim it myself with no discomfort to him and his beak goes back to normal. It's the very edge though and I would not recommend trimming it if it's even just slightly more than a little bit. Perrys growth is almost razor thin like a finger nail. It's weird.

Scissor beak is a condition a chick would have his whole life starting before weaning. Its either genetic, or more commonly caused by a terrible hand feeder and is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT than an adult bird developing an overgrown beak. I'm glad you have found a safe and effective way to deal with it.

However, like many other members I advise AGAINST beak trimming yourself. My own beloved Cache had her beak trimmed regularly by her previous owners and although they claimed it never seemed to bother her she had an extremely tender beak and it took over two years to get her to eat pellets or chew even the softest toys because of beak sensitivity, and that was with me working hard to make it happen.


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[Billdore]

Sorry for hoping in but if a beak is growing too quickly this can be a sign of liver disease? Or is it the way the beak is growing that might be a problem. Sorry for not having any good info to add just trying to understand the signs of the problem better.

 

[SilverSage]

Yes a beak growing too quickly can be one of the only signs of liver disease that you actually SEE before it's too late. There are other causes of course but an overgrown beak is a huge red flag no matter what.


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