Possible mystery growth?

[tonyb]

Hi all, urgent help required for a worried newbie! I have a 15 year-old African Grey, in excellent health with no behavioural hang-ups etc.
Earlier this week I noticed what appeared to be a couple of feathers sticking up on the head. It looked like maybe there was a small bit of food or sticky mess that had maybe stuck to the feathers and caused them to 'stand up' ....I planned to clean them this weekend. But today, I noticed that there was a small splash of blood on the wall behind the cage (about a pinhead size) and there seems to be some matter around the problem area. I'm looking as closely as I can and it almost looks like there's a small stalk-like growth forcing the feathers up (about 1/8th inch high)
I can't get to a vet until Monday earliest so I'd appreciate any advice between now and then!
Thanks in advance.

 

[MeganMango]

Could you maybe get a picture?

 

[tonyb]

I'll try tomorrow morning, I'm no tekkie so it might take an hour or so! And Silver will be in a better mood for photos then. (it's late now) Thanks for your interest. Regards from Skibbereen, County Cork, Ireland.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Pictures will definitely help. The way you described Silver's "mystery" thingies, is it possible those are pin feathers on his head? They itch, and perhaps he scratched one of them open too hard and lost a couple of drops of blood?

 

[tonyb]

Thanks Wendy. That idea makes sense, the problem appeared almost 'instantly' one day......there was nothing there and then later there 'it' was. There had been no contact with any other bird or animal, and no change in environment,diet, routine or circumstances. Anyway, I'm going to try and attach some pics and await comments from any viewers. Thanks in advance to all. Regards, Tony

 

[JerseyWendy]

That does not look like a pin feather. I was wrong assuming it was.

Hmm. Could he have injured himself somewhere, somehow? Any toys with possible sharp edges?

Has the "thingy" changed in any shape or form since you first saw it?

Will he allow you to touch him? Can you check it out up really close?

I wish I could be of further help, but I honestly have no clue what this could be.

 

[Blue]

Could it be a tick, one of the pictures kinda looks like one and that would explain how it grew so quickly

 

[MikeyTN]

It is really hard to see!!!! Birds get mites, they don't get ticks....A vet visit will help you determine what it is....

 

[MeganMango]

It is really hard to see!!!! Birds get mites, they don't get ticks....A vet visit will help you determine what it is....

Sorry, but birds most certainly do get ticks. They also are often found on the face especially around the eye. This could be anything, but its the right size/location to be a tick. If so, please dont try to remove it yourself though, you can cause anaphylaxis if you dont do it correctly. I think a vet might be a good idea at this point, especially if there is some bleeding.

 

[MeganMango]

PI Press – Parrots International Blog » Tick Related Disease in Cage and Aviary Birds

 

[tonyb]

Thanks all for your input and advice, I'll progress the situation asap this week and post the outcome. Silver is in the best of form but won't let me near the problem area (although that could be purely coincidental, she never stays still during petting anyway!)

 

[tonyb]

Update on the 'mystery growth'.........today i played a gentle spray of water on the affected area. As the wet feathers parted, I could clearly see a small 'blood blister' type of growth, about the size of a large match-head, and blood-red in colour. At first I assumed it was a tic of some sort, but it seems to have reduced in size today, and Silver is showing no signs of ill-health whatsoever. Also, isn't it out of season for tics?....and as I said before, Silver hasn't been anywhere or had any contact with any animal ..for a long while.(although he had ten days with a dog-owning parrot-sitter last July).
I'm hesitant to take any further action until I'm sure what I'm dealing with. Would a dose of Johnsons Bird Anti-Mite Spray be a good idea? Another question...if it is a tic, will it just drop off when it's done? Regards, Tony

 

[MikeyTN]

It is really hard to see!!!! Birds get mites, they don't get ticks....A vet visit will help you determine what it is....

Sorry, but birds most certainly do get ticks. They also are often found on the face especially around the eye. This could be anything, but its the right size/location to be a tick. If so, please dont try to remove it yourself though, you can cause anaphylaxis if you dont do it correctly. I think a vet might be a good idea at this point, especially if there is some bleeding.

That's one thing I've never seen before is a tick on a bird. They get it around their head because they can't really peck at it. Very interesting.....

 

[MikeyTN]

Update on the 'mystery growth'.........today i played a gentle spray of water on the affected area. As the wet feathers parted, I could clearly see a small 'blood blister' type of growth, about the size of a large match-head, and blood-red in colour. At first I assumed it was a tic of some sort, but it seems to have reduced in size today, and Silver is showing no signs of ill-health whatsoever. Also, isn't it out of season for tics?....and as I said before, Silver hasn't been anywhere or had any contact with any animal ..for a long while.(although he had ten days with a dog-owning parrot-sitter last July).
I'm hesitant to take any further action until I'm sure what I'm dealing with. Would a dose of Johnsons Bird Anti-Mite Spray be a good idea? Another question...if it is a tic, will it just drop off when it's done? Regards, Tony

Regardless of the outcome, it's easier for a Avian vet to determine what the cause is then you try to determine it on your own!

 

[MeganMango]

I agree! If it is a tick, and it died, it will shrink, but it will likely also cause an infection. If its alive, it will drop off, but then its laying eggs near by. Thats the purpose of feeding, they need the protein to produce all those eggs. The longer you leave it, the more chance you have of developing a problem. Ticks carry a lot of secondary diseases. My biggest concern would be an infection. I know it sucks to pay the vet, but getting it looked at now will be a lot cheaper than dealing with secondary problems like infection. If its not a tick, its still something that has broken the skin and could also become infected.

 

[tonyb]

Good points well made. Down to the vet tomorrow! I'll post an update of the outcome, fingers crossed that all will be well, cheers for now,Tony

 

[JerseyWendy]

Tony, what's happened with that "mystery growth?"