Q: At a recent pet meeting, a woman said her bird was pulling out his feathers constantly and they are always bloody. The bird has had some shots and oral medication, but nothing seems to help.

A: Feather picking can be very difficult to diagnose as it can be caused by diet, disease, sexual frustration, change in routine, boredom, etc. This bird needs a medical workup and a detailed history in order to find a reason for this intense picking.

Q: I have a cockatiel. I clipped the cockatiel's feathers. One of the clipped feathers fell out and started to regrow. It still had a small amount of blood left in the shaft. Will this feather regrow after this happened and how long would it take to grow back?

A: Yes, the feather will regrow in approximately 6-8 weeks if it was a major feather toward the outside of the wing. Take care when trimming wing feathers, do not clip them too short, especially those larger ones.

Q: I have a five-year-old parrot. A feather was damaged and started to bleed. I didn't attempt to pull it. We put cornstarch and pressure on it until it stopped. Is there anything else that I need to do for her? Thank you,
Jerri

A: Depending on where the feather is and where the damage to it is, you may need to do nothing. The feather will be replaced eventually, with a healthy one. However, if some bleeding persists, the feather may need to be pulled out completely as pressure is applied to the follicle to stop bleeding

Q: I have two blue and gold Macaws. I don't know the sex, but my youngest whom I hand fed is biting his skin off of his feet. We have a hood on him that the vet made but he is so strong that the hood is not stopping him from pulling off the gauze. Debra Lee Lutz, Ritzville, Wa.

A: There are numerous possibilities that could cause the self-mutilation you describe. The various causes could be systemic disease, hormonal, psychological, nutritional or parasitic. Unfortunately, there is not an easy answer or treatment. I would suggest a work up by an avian veterinarian.

Q: How can I tell if my bird has been poisoned?

A: Some of the most common symptoms include vomiting, difficulty with breathing, seizure or coma.

Q: We don't have poison in our house. How would our bird become poisoned?

A: Actually, most homes have many products and materials that can be poisonous to birds. Here are a few that we list on our Bird Kit™ Care Card:
Airborne toxins: glue, cleaning products, aerosol sprays, smoke, paint, carbon monoxide from engine exhaust or heaters, fumes from overheated cooking oils and fumes from overheated cooking utensils, especially those with non-stick surfaces. Poisons that a bird might eat around the house can include outdoor or house plants (certain varieties are especially toxic), anti-freeze, anything that contains lead, mothballs, household cleaners, disinfectants, polish and perfume.

Q: If my bird is poisoned, what can I do?

A: First, keep it calm and quiet to help keep it from going into shock. If your bird has gotten poison in or around its eyes, flush area with a product like our Eye/Skin Wash. If your bird's skin has been in contact with a poison, flush it with large amounts of water. Call your veterinarian for further instructions, but you should take your bird in as soon as possible. If you know the poison product, take it with you. If you cannot reach your veterinarian, call the Poison Control Center in your area immediately.

Q: I can never tell if my bird is well or not. Is it just me or what?

A: Birds are experts at hiding illnesses. This is a method of survival in the wild and even though your bird is tame, this instinct is still present. You may need to do some detective work to observe symptoms. Some strong symptoms include loss of appetite, loss of feathers, fluffy feathers, swelling or no activity–no movement or noise. If any of the above symptoms are observed, isolate your bird and call or transport for vet care as soon as possible.

Q: A friend of mine said that birds can bleed to death easily. I've never heard of this, though I guess it's possible. Is this really worth worrying about?

A: A bird has a very small blood supply and unchecked blood loss can result in death very quickly. It's important that you locate the source of blood stop the flow immediately. However, it's also important to know how to treat bleeding in different areas on your bird.

Q: I heard someone talking about a 'blood feather.' Do these really exist and why should I worry about them.

A: A blood feather is a feather that when broken can quickly lead to serious loss of blood. If your bird suffers a broken blood feather, locate the feather of the broken or damaged quill then apply and lock onto the feather at the base (something like our 5-inch, metal forceps is needed for this job). Pull the feather in the direction of the feather growth. If the area continues to bleed after the feather is pulled, apply the stypic powder. Gentle pressure at site of bleeding may be needed. Remember: every species and even every pet is different. If you are in doubt or it appears your pet has a serious wound or disease, contact your veterinarian!

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