Eclectus injury

[biigbiird]

My girl eclectus just got her skin under her beak caught on her nail while scratching. struggling to get it loose she managed to tear a whole in the skin under the beak. Specifically the skin attached to the beak under the lower mandibul. Theres no blood and she is talking and playing as normal but i think its opened the throat 3mm-4mm right under the beak.
Has anyone had an injury like this? what happened, how did it heal. Did it heal up, was change of diet required. I know I need to take her to the avian vet but unfortunately I'm a fair distance from a bird vet and don't have the funds to drive there and back as well as visit the vet. we live in a rural area of Australia. I will call them soon though and get any info i can. Basically any advice would be great. But any more info on this type of injury would be great.
Im just worried food/water will get stuck there or ooze out.

 

[MikeyTN]

Unfortunately a visit to the vet is required!!!! You most likely have to make her wear a crown until it heals. Birds are known to nit pick at an injury....

 

[biigbiird]

I talked to the vet. He thinks if the tear is small enough and in the soft loose area under the beak then most likely it will heal. And not to worry too much until i can get down there next week. He asked if she'd been drinking and eating normally. And if the feathers under the chin were wet after drinking. They weren't. And food seems to be staying. I took her down to the local vet but there was little he could do. His words. He just said to keep an eye on her and if anything changes to bring her back and we'll consider antibiotics.

 

[MikeyTN]

Just keep an eye on her making sure she's not picking at it. Did she bled at all???

 

[biigbiird]

Astoundingly no she didnt. The tear is extremely small as it happened when she was thrashing trying to free her nail. yes she sleep in her night cage in my room and is currently in the living room with me on her day cage.

 

[antoinette]

Hope it's going well, and your bird is healing, I would still take her to vet tho..... for peace of mind.

 

[biigbiird]

Yes I definatley plan to. Its just such a drive and I wasn't expecting to need that much petrol this week! She seems fine, tucked right into her veggies for dinner! Im not going to keep checking it though as i want to give it a chance to heal. And lifting her neck would just continue to part it. Thankyou everyone. I was just so freaked out! Poor thing. I talked to her breeder and shes had a similar injury caused by a toy and her boy healed up after 2 weeks. so fingers crossed!

 

[Pedro]

Yes I definatley plan to. Its just such a drive and I wasn't expecting to need that much petrol this week! She seems fine, tucked right into her veggies for dinner! Im not going to keep checking it though as i want to give it a chance to heal. And lifting her neck would just continue to part it. Thankyou everyone. I was just so freaked out! Poor thing. I talked to her breeder and shes had a similar injury caused by a toy and her boy healed up after 2 weeks. so fingers crossed!

Hi i have had the same injury with a cockatiel. He got stuck on a piece of wire in the cage. We don't have an Avian Vet handy either so i just checked out the injury which was as you decribed with your girl. I put some Betadine Liquid on it & it was healed in a few days. Just watch her & check the wound daily. Any sign of redness or infection straight to the Vet. Just your normal Vet will do. Most will contact their prefered Avian Vet should they need any further advice.

 

[biigbiird]

Thanks Pedro. I hope it does heal. I'm worried about putting Betadine on it in case some gets in her throat if that makes sense. Maybe with a qtip would work.

 

[Pedro]

Thanks Pedro. I hope it does heal. I'm worried about putting Betadine on it in case some gets in her throat if that makes sense. Maybe with a qtip would work.

Betadine is completely safe to use on birds, Just use a cotton bud or cotton wool ball & dab it on. I keep betadine on hand in my first aid kit for the birds.