|
|
Post by aidan84 on Jun 23, 2015 8:12:47 GMT -5
Hello all:
I haven't been here in along time, but I am hoping I can get some advice:)
My quaker, Aidan, is 9 years old. For the past few years she has been plucking...mostly around her legs and under her wings. Three weeks ago I noticed that her left inner thigh looked raw. She has started picking at her skin. I have been in and out of the vet with her multiple times. I am giving her Metacam and Tramadol. I am putting Soother Plus on the wound, and I am rubbing Rescue Remedy onto her feet. Doing all this twice a day. I am also periodically putting a honey and coconut oil on the wound, which the vet doesn't like my doing but it seems to keep it moist enough so it doesn't itch her. Twice now I have nearly gotten her healed and then for some reason she starts picking at it again. This morning I woke up to dried blood on her perch. While I was getting ready for work she messed with it even more and there was quite a bit of blood. I got her all cleaned up. Luckily she does not seem to be bothered by any of this. We have a vet appointment at 3:30 PM. I've had to call into work again.
So...does anyone out there have any advice as to how to get her to heal and stop picking at the wound? Please please please do not tell me any horror stories or post pictures. I have heard stories and seen pics, and it sends me into emotional overload. I need to stay calm for Aidan:) My heart does go out to anyone and any bird who has dealt with a situation like this.
Thank you!
Ann
|
|
|
|
Post by easttex on Jun 23, 2015 9:08:30 GMT -5
My heart goes out to you, too. No horror story, but my grey plucked for a few years. She never progressed to mutilating herself, knock on wood. I imagine you've already been through all the usual things to look at in her environment, like air quality, toxic metals, and all the other stressors that can contribute to this. It sounds like it might be time to consider a collar, to at least allow her wounds to heal. My first inclination is never drugs, but you might also want to discuss antidepressants with your vet, if you haven't already.
I wonder about the honey and coconut oil. That might be a tasty enough combination that it actually attracts her to the site. Maybe an antibiotic ointment as an alternative would keep it moist. You're definitely doing the right thing in not showing your distress to Aidan.
Please let us know what your vet says. I wish you and Aidan the best of luck!
|
|
|
|
Post by aidan84 on Jun 23, 2015 9:36:40 GMT -5
Thanks, easttex. Haven't thought about the metals yet, but she doesn't have any new metal in her environment. How does one assess air quality? I do have my widows open since the weather is nice. Maybe that has something to do with it? I don't think so because I haven't noticed a pattern with having the windows open. She seems to be getting enough sleep and she is eating well. Personality wise she is still sassy and independent.
As far as the honey salve...she generally leaves it alone when I put it on the wound. The Soother Plus is an ointment that promotes healing. It is great but it doesn't keep the wound very moisturized.
Unfortunately Aidan's regular vet is unable to see her today...doctor is in and out of surgery all day. We will be seeing one of the other vets in the practice, though it sounds like she will be talking with the regular vet before our appointment. I will ask the vet about meds again. I will also talk to the vet about a collar as it's been suggested by her regular vet. I am very worried about leaving her home alone in the collar and I have already missed so much work.
|
|
|
|
Post by easttex on Jun 23, 2015 10:39:33 GMT -5
I wouldn't think open windows would be a problem. Probably the reverse. Things to consider are smoking, use of harsh chemicals in her vicinity, molds, perfumes and scented household products, etc. Do you have a humidifier? That might help with keeping her wound moisturized if not with the mutilating, but you have to be pretty meticulous in their cleaning so they don't get moldy and become part of the problem.
At this point, whatever caused her to start plucking may no longer be an issue, and it is ingrained as a habit. If her vet has eliminated the physical causes, I think you have to just assume it is behavioral. If you do use a collar, you may have to rearrange things in her cage. Your vet can help you figure that out.
Another member here, Jan, has a lot of experience with a mutilating Quaker, and I'm sure you can get some good advice from her when she sees this thread.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jan and Shah on Jun 23, 2015 22:47:17 GMT -5
I have a mutilator. The vet gives me an ointment called F10 and gives Shah an antibiotic injection every week for 3 weeks. I also get him to bathe in warm water with aloe vera in it. You cannot give this behaviour any attention as it encourages the bird to keep doing it. You also need to be very careful about your stress levels as Aidan will pick it up. I wouldnt be using any sort of oil on a bird's skin - the skin is very fragile and an oil is just too much for it. I also give Shah camomile tea to drink (I break it down so it isnt too strong - get an organic one and make sure it doesnt have any caffeine in it) or Rescue Remedy drops in his water (non alcohol kind). I use Tellington Touch on him - but any kind of massage where you are both relaxed will work. I change his routine around and make sure we have lots of fun - so lots of laughing, singing, talking and even dancing. It appears that Shah's episodes are caused by hormones - although I cant say that I am 100% sure. All Shah's episodes have taken 3 months to improve. Just a word about the collar - the first time he mutilated, the vet put a small elizabethan collar on him - what a disaster. So he made a flat collar out of the end of a sellotape roll - which Shah hated but it kept his beak off the wound. We havent used any sort of collar since the first time. Keep asking questions - we will all help and support you through this. I know how frustrating and depressing this can be and that sick feeling you get leaving the bird and then again when you come home as you dont know what you are going to find.
|
|
|
|
Post by quakerfriend on Jun 24, 2015 14:44:11 GMT -5
I've never had to deal with a mutilator so I don't know a lot...but, see if you can remember what was happening when he first started mutilating. Any diet changes, schedule changes etc. that could trigger it. You also might want to take a look at diet too, and sometimes allergies can cause irritation (and lead to plucking/mutilating). Sometimes it helps to give baths to soothe the skin. Good luck!
|
|
|
|
Post by pingo2011 on Jun 25, 2015 16:23:01 GMT -5
I don't have a mutilator, but I've been told that honey shouldn't be given to parrots for the same reason it shouldn't be given to infants-- because it can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum bacterium. This bacteria is responsible for botulism. Has anyone else heard of this? I could be wrong, but that's why I have always avoided giving honey to Pingo, my parrot. Honey is OK if it has been processed and caramelized, I think.
Even so, I also agree with easttex, honey and coconut oil sounds like a tasty combination.
|
|
|
|
Post by aaron on Jun 26, 2015 0:15:52 GMT -5
I've heard that too about honey although I am not sure of the details. I think certain types of honey, although I am not sure what those are (so I could be wrong) are okay.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jan and Shah on Jun 26, 2015 5:10:57 GMT -5
Manuka honey is supposed to be the best healing honey. My father always used honey on wounds (he would bandage the wound after applying honey) but I have no knowledge of anyone using it on animals.
|
|
