Disintegrating Beak

[Sarah_K]

Hi All, This is a photo of my bird Indy who is approximately 10 yrs old. I'm just wondering if anyone has had any similar problems with their birds with the beak going this way? Indy has been on a seed and fruit diet which has since been changed to a pellet diet as per the vets advice. Now they want to do a blood test which will will require an anesthetic to determine if she has a disease of some sort. Just wanting some advice if anyone has seen anything like this before and know how to prevent it getting worse? Thank you.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hi, there has been a few beak issues crop up on here lately but not all are the same and with that in mind the blood test would be a good idea and possibly a full health check also if not had one for a while. With the full picture it will easier to ascertain what is going on. It may be possible that she will require Vit B injection(s).

Regarding diet, most vets agree that it is best for captive birds to eat a nutritionally balanced pelleted diet, a Ringneck will appreciate a variety of fruits and veggies in their diet. Leafy greens and vegetables are crucial for any companion parrot for a nutritionally sound diet. Have you tried preparing a veggie chop for your IRN?

See also https://www.beautyofbirds.com/ringneckparrotdiet.html for diet info.

Hope this helps until more help follows?

 

[Flboy]

Please keep us updated! Poor girl!

 

[Sarah_K]

Thank you so much. I will try and get a full photo and post it up. I will definitely get the blood test done and hope that whatever it is can be something that can be fixed. She doesn't seem that keen on the pellets just yet, but I've been giving her fruits and veges as well which she seems to enjoy a lot more. I've just found a recipe for veggie chop so will give that a try as well. Thanks again.

 

[plumsmum2005]

We welcome any updates on how you get on, it's great to help but also to get some news of developments. Anything else just shout.

It is an Avian Vet you are going to see isn't it?

 

[Sarah_K]

No unfortunately we don't have an avian vet in the town I live. Which is what brought me to a forum because I got the impression that the vet didn't know alot about birds.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Oh they do require a specialist Avian Vet. They undergo extra training.

Let us know approx where you are and will try and find one for you. Others reading this may be able to chime in also.

 

[Sarah_K]

I'm in Gladstone. QLD Australia. Apparently the clinic did have a vet that was the bird guru but she just recently moved towns.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Is this any good?

Andergrove Veterinary Clinic

195a Bedford Road
Mackay, Queensland 4740
07 49555181

http://www.aavac.com.au/find_an_avian_veterinarian.html#QLD

 

[Scott]

I have not seen anything quite like that. Hope you find an answer and help for Indy. An avian vet is most definitely the best source for assistance.

Interestingly the disintegration appears geometric and symmetrical, and there are what appear to be fine scratches or abrasions closer to the base of the upper beak. Is it possible Indy is aggressively rubbing the beak against a rough surface?

 

[Sarah_K]

Thanks for the list. Unfortunately Mackay is about a 4.5hr drive away, but it seems to be the closest.

Hi Scott, I think the scratches will be from when Indy tries to attack people as they walk past her cage. I seem to be the only person she likes and whenever anyone else goes near her she will launch at them and try and bite through the cage.

 

[SilverSage]

Any update? I've never seen damage quite that bad. As I'm sure you have realized though, if the beak continues to deteriorate it will eventually become life threatening as it will prevent her from eating. My guess is that she also won't want to switch to hard pellets as they may be painful to eat. Even aggressive running shouldn't cause that much damage, and certainly not her just trying to bite people. I know 4.5 hours sounds like a lot, but what is one day in the car when it could mean the difference between life, and a slow painful death for your bird?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wrench13]

We are all thinking of you and your IRN. But please please get this guy to a avian vet, this condition is not something seen before on this forum, and we see a LOT of odd things. This looks more like something is eating away at the structure of the beak. I would drive the 4-1/2 hrs gladly to have him see a real AV vet. I would also start training him to accept baby parrot formula, because eating nuts , seeds n other normal food may become difficult. I know my prayers go out to you and Indy.
If its a matter of money, let us know too; we some incredibly generous members here. But get Indy there soon.

 

[Kentuckienne]

Thanks for the list. Unfortunately Mackay is about a 4.5hr drive away, but it seems to be the closest.

Hi Scott, I think the scratches will be from when Indy tries to attack people as they walk past her cage. I seem to be the only person she likes and whenever anyone else goes near her she will launch at them and try and bite through the cage.

Sarah, perhaps an avian vet would be willing to do a remote consultation and look at the beak. (Skype or email, and lots of vets are on FaceBook now) That's a pretty good photo, and it might be enough detail for someone to figure it out. The remote vet could then tell you what blood tests to have done, etc., at a local vet's office. With most illnesses, there are other symptoms, but this seems like such a visual problem that it might be worth a shot.

 

[Sarah_K]

Thanks for your advice everyone. I have emailed the photo through to a few bird experts in Brisbane and hope to hear back from them asap. I'm hoping they can assist me. I will find the nearest avian vet and book her in.

 

[Kentuckienne]

I found an online directory which includes Avian Health specialists ... here is the link if it helps ..

https://www.anzcvs.org.au/search-member/

 

[Sarah_K]

Hi All, I have a phone consult with a very good bird specialist from Brisbane on Thursday. Ive completed a pretty comprehensive list of questions and emailed them a lot more photos through. Hopefully will get a bit of an idea of whats going on. Will keep you posted.

 

[Anansi]

I'm so glad that you are getting your bird in to an avian vet on Thursday. We're all hoping that an answer can be found and a treatment prescribed to halt the disintegration of her beak.

How long did it take for her beak to get to this point? And has it been a steady deterioration? Sudden? Or something happening more in fits and starts? I'm wondering if we can figure out the rate of progression in the hopes of anticipating how much time you may have. If the rate of progression seems rapid enough that waiting until Thursday might be a problem, do you think they would be willing to squeeze you in any earlier?

I ask because the only other beak issue I've seen that was this bad wound up being extremely time sensitive: http://www.parrotforums.com/lovebirds/64838-beak-disease.html

Granted, the nature of the damage seems different. And it was definitely more extensive. But the possibility of a swift progression does worry me.

I'm keeping you and Indy in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Kentuckienne]

One thing that might be helpful is to see if you have any older photos, and if there are any signs of damage or discoloration. Sometimes it's hard to remember when things started. Good luck, and please let us know the results of the consultation.

 

[Sarah_K]

Hi everyone, so the phone consult went really well and was given plenty of feedback and advice with regards to Indys beak. I was told there could be a couple of reasons why the beak is the way it is and most likely fatty liver disease due to diet which can be overcome by changing a few things. The only way to confirm this is with blood tests, which she's booked in for. Once we get the results we will know what we're dealing with and can take appropriate action. I don't think the beak is getting any worse at the moment which is a good sign I hope!