What is going on with my African Grey Timneh?

[Reddrover]

I have an African Grey that I have owned since she was 2. She is now 22 and in the last few weeks has had a strange thing going on with her feathers. She is normally very soft and silky. When I got her, I worked with an avian vet who said her feather under her wings grows in kind of funky, so she has always picked them a bit, but remained the same.
I called the local and only avian vet in town as she has been progressively losing feathers. I do not see her pick, but when she sits somewhere for a period of time and I move her there is actually a small pile of what looks like skin. When I look close, her downy feathers seem greasy almost matted to her body. If I rub the area gently it works loose and leaves a bald patch.
Once I get the matter off her, the skin looks ok and some fathers are coming back. It seems to be traveling about her body.
As I said, I took her to the vet-it was not as bad as it is now. She said her skin was probably dry and to bath her every other day and apply this balm. I did, but the balm just seemed to make more of a mess. I sent her photos of how it was looking and asked about sending out a fecal-which I dropped off today.
She is acting fine, but I am really worried and the vet does not seem to have any definite idea and is hard to access. I read as much as I can and find nothing that seems similar. Has anyone else ever dealt with an issue like this? Nothing has changed and I am stumped and very concerned.
Edit

 

[MonicaMc]

I would highly recommend getting some bloodwork and x-rays done on her ASAP. There could be a medical reason for this. Some skin and feather biopsies may also prove beneficial.

 

[Reddrover]

Thanks. The vet took a sample (of the sticky down) and as of two weeks, no growth. I dropped off the fecal, but yes-I am thinking blood work next. It is so hard as the vet is in one day a week-so everyone with an exotic pet pours in. It is also still hard to figure exactly how vast their experience is. I will probably email her the photos and suggest I drop in for them to draw a blood sample. Thanks for the advice.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I agree...blood work should be done. Her "clothes" look rather ragged to say the least. I am impressed that she allows you to handle her "arms" (wings) in that manner,my Timneh would have blood drawn from me!


Jim

 

[Reddrover]

Thanks Jim, yes her clothes (more the fact that she is losing them) really concerns me. She is fabulous about letting me handle her-we make it a game. I have had her and been around parrots, but this is so strange.

 

[Noahs_Birds]

Doesn't look good at all...an her beak as well isn't looking normal either

Not trying to be the bad news man...but it does look a lot like Pssitacine Beak and Feather disease

Keep her VERY far away from ANY other birds, and practice good hygeine

 

[Reddrover]

Hm, I just had her to an avian vet who did not say a word about that. She was fine up until about 3 weeks ago, has not been in any contact with other birds. Her beak has always been that way. I am worried, and hoping with the vet and putting it on forum someone may have some ideas for me.

 

[wrench13]

Hi there. Its going to be enormously important that the vet involved is a certified avian vet, and not just one that sees exotic animals. This is where that certification and traiining are super important. A vet that sees all sorts of exotic pets, like reptiles and ferrests and Jibibian sand worms etc, will not have the specific bird and parrot experience and training to help diagnose this odd condition of your parrot.

If you give us your location we can maybe point you to a CAV.

 

[Reddrover]

Eau Claire WI

 

[Ira7]

Is it only me, but I don’t understand the dark feather color, and no one’s mentioned it.

Is it just the photos? And I had a grey and don’t recall him ever getting that dark from a bath,

 

[MonicaMc]

Is it only me, but I don’t understand the dark feather color, and no one’s mentioned it.

Is it just the photos? And I had a grey and don’t recall him ever getting that dark from a bath,

No, you are not the only one to notice. I, too, saw the dark feathers. I know timnehs are naturally darker than congos, but the feathers still appear darker than normal to me... which is why I recommended getting some tests done to ensure the health of the grey.

 

[Noahs_Birds]

I would say those dark feathers would be due to a lack of sunlight. The skin around the eyes are very white as well which would help support my case.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I don't know a lot about feather issues, but if you decide to pursue additional professional veterinary help... I hope these references will help. I wish you luck, and good for you, for following up on all this.
Certified Avian Vets
https://abvp.com/animal-owners/find-an-abvp-specialist/
If none are near you...
Avian Veterinarians
http://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803
In my opinion, any of the vets listed above should be better than a regular vet, although exceptions do exist!
Sometimes, it helps just to Google "avian veterinarian - [YOUR LOCATION]"
And here is a link concerning COVID issues...
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-health-care/85090-covid-19-veterinary-care.html

 

[Charliesmom]

If yours is not an avian vet, there are some here near mpls. I know it's a little bit of a drive but I know people in your area come over here for avian vets.