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Post by zim on Jul 8, 2017 18:02:39 GMT -5
For a few days now, I've seen Yoshi reaching his left foot back and grabbing the area where his tail feathers meet his body. I've tried to inspect the area, and I can't see anything wrong. He hasn't been acting differently, and everything else seems fine, but it seems like something in that area may be bothering him. Anyone else noticed their birds doing this?
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Post by easttex on Jul 8, 2017 19:05:58 GMT -5
If it is the topside that he's grabbing, he could be having a problem with his preen gland. It secretes an oil that most birds use to groom their feathers with. Not all species have them, but I think the Quaker does.
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Post by zim on Jul 8, 2017 20:11:35 GMT -5
Is that something that just happens, or is it cause for concern? I'll make the vet trip if I need to, but I'm drowning in my own medical bills at the moment from a case of pancreatitis and a 5 day stay in the hospital a few weeks ago  . |
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Post by easttex on Jul 9, 2017 4:53:42 GMT -5
I'm afraid I can't answer that, Zim. I've never had a bird that did anything but rub its head and beak over the area to get the oil. I found this link that gives a vet's-eye-view of the gland, and if nothing else should help you figure out if it's the right spot. www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/uropygial.htmlI'm sorry to read what a rough time you're having. I'll bet both birds missed you. Take care of yourself.🙂 |
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Post by zim on Jul 9, 2017 8:20:37 GMT -5
Thank you for the advice and the article. With that information, and another Google search, I was able to locate his gland. It looks normal from what I can tell, and he was surprisingly well behaved and let me examine the area (he usually doesn't let me do things like that)!
I guess I'll continue monitoring him, and if anything else seems off or if the frequency of him doing that increases I'll get a vet appointment.
I got to thinking after I made this post, and I'm wondering if it could be his molt bothering him - his new tail feathers coming in. He's lost a couple of them over the past week or so, along with a couple flight feathers.
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Post by julianna on Jul 12, 2017 13:26:41 GMT -5
Reading your post that is what I thought Zim that is was part of his molt. I know Oscar makes those motions and it is part of his preening the new feathers into place. Hope you are feeling better. Take care of yourself.
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Post by zim on Jul 12, 2017 20:22:29 GMT -5
Thanks juliana, good to know Oscar does that sort of thing too during a molt!
I'm actually feeling fine now. They found a lot of stones in my gallbladder, and had to put a stent in my pancreatic duct, and one in my bile duct. I have to go early next month to have the stents removed, and I still need to see a doctor about having my gallbladder removed.
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Post by biteybird on Jul 12, 2017 23:58:42 GMT -5
Gee, Zim, you don't do things by halves, do you?  I'm glad you have a plan of action in place for your health concerns. Also glad that Yoshi seems OK. |
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Post by beccilouise on Jul 16, 2017 16:10:55 GMT -5
Hey Zim, hope you're ok and recovering. I also think it sounds like Yoshi is having a molt. If the preen gland looks normal, it is most likely just irritated feather growth. There's no harm in emailing your vet to double check, but I appreciate further bills may be a struggle for you right now. Keep monitoring it, make sure he is preening and bathing ok and check the new feathers are coming in ok. If all that is fine, I expect the other's are right and it is just new feather growth. Get well soon.
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Post by Caseysmom on Jul 16, 2017 19:35:23 GMT -5
Hi Zim, glad you are getting fixed up, sounds like a rough time. Casey reaches her had back and pulls her tail feathers up towards her back and head...slightly different, but if he seems ok, you probably dont have to rush to the vet yet. Hopefully he is just helping the new feathers grow in
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I'm glad you have a plan of action in place for your health concerns.
