My parrot got several lumps...

[MrJenShen]

I got an Amazon parrot (white head, red neck, green body ). I've realized that it got 3 bumps (lumps) on the body - one on chest, one on the left leg and one on tail close to bud (please see attachment bird whet and dry :11. I am worried on what is the origin and reason for that... Could you please advice what is that and anything can be done to remove or reduce it? Lumps are not worrying the bird, it is still very active and in good mood. However it worries me. Is it going to grow and cause anything in the future. I didn't see lumps under the faders for sometime but only noticed recently when lumps grew and appear from under the faders. :52:

 

[SharonC]

I'd suggest a vet visit.....Here's a good arcticle about tumours in birds.



Sick Bird - Lumps and Tumors

 

[HRH Di]

I agree that this definitely calls for a trip to the vet. Good luck.

 

[MrJenShen]

Hi and thanks for reply. Unfortunately I am not able to bring the bird as it is with my mom and she is in small city that does not have access to any qualified vet. Are you able to advise anything base on pictures? Bird is 23 years old and lumps looks like appeared over some time but become obvious just recently. As well what is the right diet for the bird? It loves to eat sunflower seeds (alot) I've read it is fat diet and could be the cause of lumps - is it true?

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Are you able to advise anything base on pictures?

Not even an avian vet could tell you much by looking at the pictures except that yes, your bird has lumps. If they are growing as you suggest then you need to find a way to get him to a vet ASAP.

As well what is the right diet for the bird? It loves to eat sunflower seeds (alot) I've read it is fat diet and could be the cause of lumps - is it true?

I don't know if this would cause the lumps directly, but that is about the worst thing to feed a parrot for their primary diet.

You came looking for help so I don't wish to be harsh, but if you want the parrot to be healthy, or even survive much longer you need to get him to a vet and get him on a better diet.

 

[SharonC]

A sunflower seed diet is a high fat diet...I suppose that could contribute to fatty tumours. I understand your frustration with the lack of an Avian vet. We have no Avian vet here either....I would actually have to take airline flight to access an Avian vet, so I'm very careful with diet, keeping cages clean etc. Good luck with it. I know there are online vets...maybe that would be better than nothing...

 

[antoinette]

I just viewed the picture, OMG those lumps do not look good at all. It could be nothing to worry about at all, "what do we know" but are you prepared to take a risk. All the above members are 100% correct, get the bird to a vet a.s.a.p.
AD has a good point, no one would be able to give you an accurate answer from looking at a picture, not even a vet. No matter what links you browse through, whatever answers you might find, will they be correct???????
Do what ever you have to, it there's a will there's a way.

 

[Birdamor]

Amazons are very prone to fatty liver disease and fatty tumors from bad diet and lack of exercise. I don't know if this is what your bird has but there is a high likelihood that it is. You need to take that poor bird to a vet even if you have to drive hours to get to it. We can advice you on a better diet but you need to do blood work and an aspiration biopsy on those tumors if nothing else and, for that, you need a vet that, at least, treats exotics.

 

[Bobby34231]

Hi MrJ and welcome to the forum, from what I can tell from the pics you provided I'd say that you have a Cuban Amazon, I was given a pair of these beautiful birds a number of years ago from a woman that was a breeder and unfortunatly had them on a seed only diet, they too had tumors, though more numerous than you've stated your bird does, we did try to turn things around for them with meds and diet change however it was to late for them as eventually the tumors invaded their organs, sadly under the advise of my avian vet we had them euthanized as they began to suffer, I suggest as others have if the bird is on a seed diet change it now, and get the bird to a vet before its to late, any action you can take now is better than doing nothing at all as this will not go away by itself...i sincerely wish you well in getting your feathered friend help, let us know how things turn out.......

 

[MrJenShen]

Hi Guys, Appreciate all your feedback and care for my bird. It really got me upset as the bird been a family member for 23 years. I'll look for vet, but as far as I know that no vets are handling this type of birds as I actually brought it from Cuba to Russia some time back (yes, it is Cuban Amazon). Anyway I'll check. What sort of diet would you advise? I will change bird diet as well. Thanks once again.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Many people will recommend and avian certified vet, but in some areas those are hard to find. Check around with any veterinarian: I've been surprised by a few who seem to work just with dogs and cats are actually quite knowledgeable about birds.

As for the diet the first step would be to transition him to a good pellet food as the main staple of his diet. Good brands include (but are not limited to) Zupreem, Harrisons, and RoudyBush. I think any one of these can be ordered online and shipped nearly anywhere if they can't be found locally, here's one example: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/ZuPreem-AvianEntrees-Garden-Goodness-Parrot/dp/B0009YWM1C/ref=pd_sim_k_5]Amazon.com: ZuPreem AvianEntrees Diets Garden Goodness Parrot Food: Kitchen & Dining[/ame]

When you offer the pellet food it's best to transition gradually by mixing it with his old food. For a couple days you can mix a little of the pellet food in with his old seeds, then for the next couple of days mix 50/50, then mostly pellet, and eventually just the pellet food.

I'd also recommend offering fresh fruits and vegetables when possible. Broccoli is a great nutritious treat, so are sprouted seeds/beans. Grapes are an easy favorite of many birds too.

While the fresh fruits and veggies are really good just getting him on a well formulated pellet food instead of seed may make a world of difference.

 

[Mel]

I agree with AD, if there are no AVs in your area a regular vet is better than none. I worked at a regular vet hosp we had a vet that was excellent with birds.

 

[madparrotwoman]

I do hope this bird gets the help he deserves and fast and I agree any vet would be better than none. Poor little guy.

 

[Birdamor]

Actually, what you need to do is not only change him to a low fat diet, you also need to reduce significantly the amount of protein because, whenever there are fatty tumors, there is liver damage so you will need to put him on a special diet to cleanse out his liver as much as possible. The vet will most likely use milk thistle and either methionine or SAM-e. I would also use dandelion root and aloe vera detoxifying formula. Lots and lots and lots of leafy greens and veggies with some fruits and whole grains instead of oil seeds is what he needs. Check out the bird clubs, breeders and zoos, they should be able to tell you of vets that 'do' birds.

 

[greenbirdsf]

PLEASE get your bird to a vet. Look on the internet for any Parrot Rescue organizations in your state. Contact them and tell them about the situation, maybe they have someone there who can help you get transportation to an Avian Vet. A regular vet could help you too, as many have experience with birds even if they are not Avian Certified. Your bird has been on a very poor, fatty diet if what she has had is mainly sunflower. If she has been eating that for her whole life it will eventually kill her. Amazons can live to be 60 or 70 so at 23ish she is still young! Most seed diets are not good and Amazons are prone to obesity and liver problems. Does your bird get any exercise at all??

Try a variety of pelleted food to see which one your bird likes best. I tried Scenic Jungle Apple or Mixed, Harrison's and Roudybush before my bird took to the Scenic. She likes it because she can hold it in her claw while she eats it, the way she used to eat peanuts when her 1st owner fed her that junk! You need to slowly transition her by mixing pellets with seeds or try offering only pellets in the morning and see if she will try them. If she is not eating any, you can always give seed later but please try soon!! Also, fruits and veggies are very tempting and healthy so offer a great variety: carrots, pumpkin, cooked mashed sweet potato or yam ( my bird LOVES this), kale, sugar snap peas, blueberries, raspberries. NO NO NO Avocado (poison!)

Good luck and I hope you can find a vet ASAP. What state are you in?

 

[suma]

my Amazon has a lump on his chest.....

Hi I have blue front Amazon Wally. He was a rescue. He has a lump on his chest and getting bigger.i showed him to the vet when it wS small and he said it was a fat lump and can be removed if it gets bigger. I have an appointment w the vet in March. But till then any suggestions how I deal with this. He is very active bird and not obese at all. And he a happy spoiled bird. Pl help

 

[JerseyWendy]

Re: my Amazon has a lump on his chest.....

Hi I have blue front Amazon Wally. He was a rescue. He has a lump on his chest and getting bigger.i showed him to the vet when it wS small and he said it was a fat lump and can be removed if it gets bigger. I have an appointment w the vet in March. But till then any suggestions how I deal with this. He is very active bird and not obese at all. And he a happy spoiled bird. Pl help

Hi there suma.

You did the right thing by making that appointment with the Avian vet.

As long as Wally is active and not showing any signs of distress, leave the lump/tumor alone until the vet can deal with it properly.

I noticed you found a rather old thread to post this in. Here is a link that will explain how you can make your own thread.
http://www.parrotforums.com/technical-support/49121-how-start-your-first-thread.html

 

[Anita1250]

These could be fat deposits due to a high fat sunflower seed diet. Do they sell parrot pellets where you live? If not, you could order them on line. A diet of pellets and fresh vegetables and fruit is best for a parrot. Adding in some whole grains is also good. Try to limit the amount of seed the bird eats. The seed is very fattening. My BFA had some fat lumps before we got him to eat pellets.


Then, work on finding a vet who can treat the bird.

 

[LordTriggs]

just so you know you're replying to a nearly decade old thread