I have a rescue Amazon Grey. It has been 2 and 1/2 years since I got him. I never planned on keeping him only being a foster. I actually rescued 4 birds. The owner was a hoarder and had over 25 birds. She became ill and was not able to care for them properly. Before she would give them up all died except 4. A young Macaw, an older Yellow naped Amazon and 2 greys. The Macaw & Amazon were found homes immediately. I kept the 2 greys looking for new homes. The vet had records on the 2 greys. One was a 5-7 year old male, he was healthy and I found him a new perfect home. "Buddy" the other grey is at least 25 years old. He became ill a day or 2 after being rescued. It was determined he had E. Coli. After many months of treatment he recovered nicely. The only residual problem was a a constant runny nose. He has to have is nasal passages "flushed" 1-2 times per day. He tolerates the treatment very well. He had to be retrained to eat pelleted foods and fruits (grapes, apples & banana) He will not eat vegetables. He had a small patch on his chest that had no feathers and none have grown in. He has become very spoiled with an outdoor patio cage, a rolling cage that is in whatever room we are in. A perch next to the desk and another perch in the shower. Needless to say my Husband & I have become very attached to him and even take him on weekend trips with us. He has learned new phrases and loves Disco music! Everyday before work when I change his paper he goes to the bottom of the cage and rips all the newspaper, singing and seeming very happy with this "chore." About 2 weeks ago I came home and noticed the paper not ripped. The next day I noticed he had plucked a large amount of feathers. His face was red and he seemed very quiet. His skin was reddened & dry. NO mucus in in nasal passages. The feather plucking made me think something behavioral had happened however there were physical changes. I took him to the Vet, complete lab work and xray showed no cause. He stayed in the incubator for 3 days. The vet agreed is was physical but could find no reason. He is on antibiotics and spraying him with an aloe often during the day. He is eating but sleeping a lot. He has no mucus after 2 and 1/2 years of cleaning his nasal passages daily. Does anyone have any possible ideas of what could be bothering him? My vet did mention maybe I should quit feeding him grapes. that besides the med & spraying were the only suggestions
