My lovebird, Peaches, with a beak issue

[MSMMTM]

We have a lovebird that unfortunately is not tame. She loves to swing on her swing and bat toys around, especially if they contain shiny bells. She used to be a terrific chewer, destroying all of her toys for the past 4-5 years. She has stopped most of her chewing and now her underbeak is growing and affecting her ability to open seeds. We took her to the vet who filed her underbeak. It's been only 3 weeks and it's grown out again. Does anyone have insight as to how to get your bird to start chewing the toys again? We're stumped and a monthly visit to the vet is very costly.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Oh, my goodness... I wonder if there is an underlying problem... nutrition... infection...
I'm no expert, but there are plenty here.
I'm sure they'll help.
I'm glad you found us!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Kentuckienne]

My sister had a cat that stopped eating. The vet couldn't find a cause. Finally sister noticed the cat had blood on her jaw, and upon checking found loose teeth. Back to the vet who was mortified at having missed the several rotten and loose teeth. One they were removed and her jaw healed, she was back to normal. Could your lovebird have some condition causing pain when she chews? Can you see any lump, any tenderness, anything at all that looks odd around her beak and head?

 

[Allee]

Hello and welcome! I'm sorry your little lovie is having problems. Did the vet discuss reasons for the rapid beak growth? Possibly diet related but that's only one possibility. Hopefully some of our more experienced lovie enthusiasts will be along to answer.

Your lovebird may have stopped chewing toys because it hurts to chew.

 

[jenphilly]

Ask the vet to check inside mouth of beak too. Max had a crack that was issue on outside but took months for extra layers to crack. He had lived with a too and the vets agree likely an argument and the umbrella got the angle on Max's break to do damage inside on beak.

Vet glued it every few weeks til it grew out. Years later totally healthy solid beak. But he had months of no nuts in shell. Know your but is smaller, but still eating and shedding can hurt. Consider xray as last resort to see everything and where problem may come from.

Good luck!

 

[MikeyTN]

There's a cause for this, you should have the vet check her blood work. What other diet are you feeding her other then seeds alone? Do you have any concrete perches available?

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums! Is Peaches' vet an avian specialist? Don't want to pass judgment, but a monthly filing is just treating the outcome. Diagnosing a cause and hopefully finding a treatment will be far more rewarding.