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Post by beccilouise on Aug 27, 2016 10:07:33 GMT -5
Hi everyone, I'm having a mad and possibly irrational panic about Maya. At the moment, she is moulting. She has lost three primary feathers and four tail feathers. Mostly, her replacement feather growth seems to be normal, but on the tips of two of her growing feathers is a little bit of damage. I also noticed what I think were stress bars on one of her moulted contour feathers. Her appetite is good, she is feisty and active like normal and there is nothing wrong with her poops. As a result of all this, I am absolutely terrified out of my mind that she may have beak and feather disease. I have booked an appointment with the vet to test and be sure as that is the only sensible thing to do, but the appointment isn't until wednesday. I know this will make little difference as, if it is PBFD, it is likely to be the chronic version, which is incurable and there is nothing I can do. I also know that it is highly unlikely she has PBFD, she is just regrowing feathers, the stress bars on ONE FEATHER could have been caused by anything, including the long distance travel we subjected her to recently, and the damage to the ends of her tail feathers could just be general wear and tear. I'm just really, really scared that she is ill with it and there will be nothing I can do  |
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Post by easttex on Aug 27, 2016 11:46:22 GMT -5
Yes, I think you're over-reacting.  It doesn't sound like you're seeing the kind of feather abnormalities that you would expect, although of course the obvious symptoms of the disease are not always there. You're doing the best you can with a vet appointment, so try not to stress yourself unnecessarily. One thing about stress bars: they occur only while a feather is developing, so if she just molted a suspicious one, the "stress" (most often malnourishment) happened quite a while back. Also, you would expect to see the bars on all feathers that were developing at the same time. As for the tail feathers, you can't tell much until the sheath starts to come off. Try to relax for your own sake as well as for Maya's. You're an excellent bird mom and it's unlikely she was exposed to PBFD. |
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Post by beccilouise on Aug 27, 2016 14:19:29 GMT -5
Thanks easttex, I know you're right, I'm sure I'm just overreacting and all the sensible voices in my brain are saying it's fine. I'm quite used to horrible, anxious voices telling me it's all going to go wrong but it's still hard not to listen to them. There isn't damage on her new wing feather or her regrown contour feathers and most of her tail so it's probably fine, but I'm going to keep the appointment anyway. Thanks again.
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Post by aaron on Aug 27, 2016 18:11:01 GMT -5
We've seen many feather discolorations and some stress bars in Cupcake over the years... especially when we first got her and didn't know what we were doing and her diet was poor. There was a time that many feathers were dark that should have been colored, and stress markings were somewhat common... Mostly in the first year or two. We eventually figured things out, and now they are all pretty much in good shape, but even with her diet and very low-stress life, she still gets a couple weird feathers every once in a while. I think that's pretty normal. And like Easttex says, the new feathers are the ones that give you an indication of her current health. If you think the appointment will help give you peace of mind, then go for it. I am also an anxious person and I understand that those voices get overwhelming sometimes... I've been going through it a lot lately, actually... So do what you need to do. But it's important to never give up reminding yourself that no situation has ever been improved by freaking out. |
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Post by julianna on Aug 31, 2016 13:26:33 GMT -5
I think the above information is accurate. I can't remember how many molts you have seen Maya go through... but I don't think it is too many. Most of our birds are molting now and it can be nerve wracking. I always just check to make sure that Oscar looses them in pairs... one on one side and the same on the other. This gives them balance.
Also... making sure his pin feathers are healthy is another thing I watch for. If he is eating and pooping normal... sounds pretty normal then.
You are a good Mom and there is nothing wrong with checking with the Vet... I am sure things will work out fine. Take care.
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Post by beccilouise on Sept 1, 2016 6:37:29 GMT -5
Thanks everyone. Maya had her visit to the vet yesterday and they took some blood for a test. Worryingly, the vet said when he took blood from her, as he was removing the needle, a little blood came out of Maya's mouth. He said it may be that a little blood got into the nearby air sac, but they couldn't be sure so to keep an eye on her over the next few days. Her beak is currently looking a little bruises, which makes me wonder if she burst a blood vessel in her nose or something. She's eating alright and pooping alright. The vet said to keep a close eye on her over the next few days and, if I see any more blood, to take her straight back. Obviously this was NOT the result I was hoping for, but am hoping there is a reasonable explanation so I don't have to put Maya through too much more stress. apart from the bruising, she seems perfectly OK, happy, playful, active, loud and she's eating ok. She's just had a bath and is preening in between little chatters. Poor Maya. |
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Post by easttex on Sept 1, 2016 12:10:46 GMT -5
It's so hard to watch them go through these things. I hope it is nothing serious. I had to give Peppy vitamin K for several days before any needle procedures. His liver problems made him bleed very easily. Don't let that make you worry that Maya has liver disease. That's pretty easy to detect, and you'd probably know that by now. Besides, she's had very good care from the start. Any idea when you'll get test results? |
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Post by beccilouise on Sept 1, 2016 12:30:30 GMT -5
The vet said 5-7 days, and that it was really unlikely Maya had PBFD, which you obviously all knew! He didn't seem to worried that she would keel over and die after the procedure, just said to keep an eye on her. There had been no blood today, her poops look healthy, she's eating fine and is fairly vocal. She's been a little clinger than usual, but I wonder if that's just because she's recovering from yesterday, so will keep an eye on it. She had a bath this morning and is looking a little less bedraggled from the anaesthetic and general veterinary manhandling. (My vet is very good, but invasive was is inevitable with these tests!) I will keep my fingers crossed.
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Post by beccilouise on Sept 1, 2016 12:32:44 GMT -5
Also, thanks for the reassurance, easttex, that is the kind of thing I'd panic about! But you're right, Maya has been on a good, varied and pelleted diet since she was four months old, so as far as possible, her liver should be pretty healthy. Hopefully it is nothing serious.
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Post by julianna on Sept 1, 2016 15:34:55 GMT -5
Geezzz... that would freak me out with the blood from the mouth. I know these little guys do not have very much blood... so loosing some can be dangerous. Blood in the air sac?? OMG. With humans this is horrible news. My heart goes out to you... Before... I was not concerned... now I am. I am sure things will be okay after a few days.
Sorry if I am making you more on edge... I do not really want to... but I do think that I would not like your vet. Sorry... but that is the way I feel.
When I took Oscar for his first visit to the vet... she said to me... I could take a blood test but that is always only in emergency cases... and because Oscar looked okay... she preferred not to do it. I am not saying this vet is better than any other vet... but when you wrote the post... I got scared for you.
I truly hope everything works out fine. Maya is a little special girl...and you are a great Mom... and I care for you both. Best wishes always.
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Post by Jan and Shah on Sept 1, 2016 23:26:47 GMT -5
I don't blame you for being worried. What trauma you and Maya have been through. Hopefully, all will be well. I know when Pippin and Shah had their blood tests done, the vet picked up on a few things. They only take a tiny bit of blood - not like us humans where they take at least 3-4 vials Sending hugs to you and Maya and hope to hear good news from you soon. |
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Post by beccilouise on Sept 2, 2016 5:35:00 GMT -5
Thanks all, the vet I saw the other day is not Maya's usual vet, as her usual vet was away on holiday. I'm not going to pretend that it didn't worry me, it really did! Maya seems to be eating well, though, and the bruising on her beak is going down. She's acting fine, but I've obviously been watching her with eagle eyes! There has been no further evidence of blood or anything else unusual, so hopefullyvthat is a good sign. It's a shame her regular vet was not there, because he's brilliant.
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Post by beccilouise on Sept 2, 2016 14:48:08 GMT -5
Taking Maya back to vet since posting today, she's been quiet and lethargic. There's been no more blood and she's still eating and pooping fine but she's been sleeping a lot today and sitting around all fluffed up. Am on the train now as the vet is on call and said he will come into the surgery to meet me. Poor Maya...hope we don't miss the last train home. |
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Post by julianna on Sept 2, 2016 17:22:37 GMT -5
awwww.... this is sad Louise.... mind you the fluffing up and sitting around is okay. All our feathered friends do this now and again. I hope you do not miss you train. (I wish we had a train to go see our vet).
My heart and thoughts are with you.
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Post by Jan and Shah on Sept 2, 2016 23:17:47 GMT -5
Please let us know how Maya goes - thinking of you.
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It doesn't sound like you're seeing the kind of feather abnormalities that you would expect, although of course the obvious symptoms of the disease are not always there. You're doing the best you can with a vet appointment, so try not to stress yourself unnecessarily. 
