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Donna M
Top Gold Member
USA
69 Posts |
 Posted - 01/27/2006 : 11:58:40
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I'm concered about Joey's beak. Is it normal for a macaw beak to peel? Joey has a good peel starting about a 1/4 inch up from the tip of his beak. Where it's peeling the color is no longer jet black, but almost opaque. Is there some way to help condition the beak? Rubbing flax oil or aloe on it?
The other concern is Joey's plucking. I know I need to give him the best nutrition, activity, interests, baths, etc. as possible and hope he loses the habit. I do know that the plucking decreased over the 4 months he was at the rescue and I realize it's not going to happen overnight here, either. From history we were told that he was placed in a divided cage wth another macaw that tormented Joey into plucking over a two year period. I have enough smarts to look at Joey and say he looks like a healthy bird that eats, passes a variety of droppings based on food, plays, communicates, and must be pretty hardy to have survived 12 years of who knows exactly what.
I'm not a big vet person even though I like our avian vet. I just think the avian health world is still unknown to even a good avian vet. Maybe this is just my experience. With that being said, I am very torn in deciding to have Joey go for a well checkup and have his beautiful, naked body looked at. A second set of eyes to see if things look normal for a "plucked bird." Plus Joey gets these hard, black, nubby things coming though especially on his back. They are almost like a big blackhead that could be squeezed. I just don't believe it's a feather coming through, he has enough of those to see the difference. I just don't want to miss something if it's not just stress caused, but I also don't want to put Joey through through the trauma - he's been through so much. What's your opinion.
I hope I don't sound like an idiot asking these questions, but I never realized how different breeds of birds can be. Jagger's (male SIE) beak never peeled and I've never been around a plucked bird before. Donna M
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pbyeerts
Top Gold Member
USA
125 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2006 : 13:25:40
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This is a simple case of dryness for Joey's beak. Apply pure Vitamine E oil either via spray or liquid from your health food store. Do you run a humidifier near Joey? Macaws need a lot of humidity. Cheers, Pamela
Pamela & Nimo |
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macawdreams
Forum Admin
610 Posts |
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pbyeerts
Top Gold Member
USA
125 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2006 : 17:10:17
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Donna,
Joey deserves to be properly examined by an avian veterinarian. While you may mistrust avian medicine, it does in fact save lives. Your bird came from less than ideal conditions and could have a myriad of problems that can be diagnosed and treated. Any decent medical advice you receive will always tell you to get a check up before you assume plucking is due to stress. Sorry if my words seem harsh - I just always say what I mean and mean what I say.
Cheers, Pamela
Pamela & Nimo |
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Toy
Top Gold Member
USA
390 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2006 : 18:34:55
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Donna:
Peeling beaks are normal. Parrot beaks grow sort of like our nails do. They shed the old layers as new ones grow. There are times the beak will feel hot. I seem to notice JaJaBinks sheds layers of her beak allot during molt. I often will lift off small sections with my nails. NEVER use any tool to remove layers of the beak. Only ever use your finger nails to lift off loose sections. Chewing on wood helps them to wear it off naturally. I would not rub any oil on the beak. Give him wood toys to chew up. If he gets a rough section or chips it you can use the big emery boards designed for artifical nails to file it. They ususally have 2 sides, one coarse, one med or smooth. I use the coarse side to file a deep chip & then file it smooth with the other side.
A humidifier can help greatly. We had the big floor model, but when we got a new furnace installed I had one put on the furnace. Also a good soaking shower at least once a week to rinse off the dust will help to cut down on the itchies. If you make showers FUN, show Joey they won't hurt him he'll grow to love them. It may take awhile, but just hold your hand under the spray, laugh, talk, act silly & he'll soon relaize it's good to get soaked. JaJaBinks took 6 months to finally learn to love showers. Now I have to pry her out of the tub, LOL. She goes crazy flapping, splashing, acting silly, talks up a storm & really enjoys getting me soaked too. Those big wings, even clipped & really throw allot of water. I have foudn my birds prefer the water to eb warm. Others post their birds like cold water. So you'll need to figure out what Joey likes. I never blow dry JaJaBinks, even in winter. She doesn't like the air dryer. My U2 loves it, but letting them dry naturally is best. They will shiver some. As long as the room temp is 68 or above they'll be OK. Our heat is set at 73 all winter.
A vet check should be done to rule out any health issues. With his plucking history tho he's most likely developed a bad habit he may never let go of. So the best you can do is not fuss about it. The more you show him it bothers you the more he'll do it to gain attention. Many parrots alos pluck due to hormones & there's not much you can do to change that. Nature tells them they should be breeding & they can't. So they get frustrated & destroy their feathers.
Any time you want to do anything with/to Joey first take the time to expalin to him in detail what you want to do & why. Parrots are very smart & they quickly learn to understand, but they like to know things up front first.
Toy
Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. |
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macawdreams
Forum Admin
610 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2006 : 19:17:52
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"Any decent medical advice you receive will always tell you to get a check up "
Pamela, do you know Dr. Milt? Is there a reason you would not think he would give decent medical advice?
Angie R.
Macaw Dreams Site Owner
"The future of Macaws starts here" |
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pbyeerts
Top Gold Member
USA
125 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2006 : 23:15:08
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No Angie, I mean no offense towards Dr. Milt. I am simply frustrated with Donna for not getting the proper standard of medical care for her bird that I would for my own. Pamela
Pamela & Nimo |
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pbyeerts
Top Gold Member
USA
125 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2006 : 23:31:16
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Just to clarify - by proper medical care, I mean poop gram stains, skin scrapings and bloodwork. That's why I said "Any decent medical advice you receive will always tell you to get a check up " so we can eliminate the physical. Yes, the plucking could easily be mental, but it is dangerous to automatically assume it is. Hope this helps :-) Pamela
Pamela & Nimo |
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MMOXIEE@aol.com
Top Gold Member
81 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2006 : 23:53:33
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Hi Donna,
While I agree that the beak peeling my just be due to diet and humidity, I also agree the bird should be seen my a vet. Anytime someone gets a bird (baby or older) the first thing that should be done is a vet check and bloodwork. This is especially important if the bird is plucking. One of the reasons to get bloodwork done right away is to have a baseline to refer to if the bird gets ill later on, and to make sure there are no underlying conditions. Abnormalities in the beak can sometimes mean problems with the liver, that will show up in bloodwork.
Beak peeling and feather plucking are just symptoms of what might be going on.
Once you eliminate possible causes, we can look at the big picture and help you guys deal w/ whats going on.
here's a helpful article http://www.holisticbirds.com/HBN01/augsep/pages/dietfeather.htm
take care,
Lindsey |
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macawdreams
Forum Admin
610 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2006 : 00:17:43
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Oh good Pamela. I got worried. I wanted to make certain you haven't heard something that I haven't. :) I don't know him myself but I sure don't want to send people his way if there is a problem over there.
I do like the idea that he donates his time to help bird owners... not a lot of vets are available on line. I agree it's a good idea to have a vet check out any animal that we take under our care-- dogs, cats, birds. That way we know what specific needs they may require.
Donna? Was your bird seen by a vet before your brought him home? Don't most rescue centers have the bird checked out before his adoption? If he wasn't examed by a vet prior to his placement with you, I would sure make an appt. as soon as posible. And you really want all of the tests done Pamela mentioned. That's pretty standard and pretty imortant!
Angie R.
Macaw Dreams Site Owner
"The future of Macaws starts here" |
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Donna M
Top Gold Member
USA
69 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2006 : 11:29:32
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You know guys, I'm new to this list and new to knowing macaws. I don't know how anyone can feel frustration towards a person seeking eduaction and advice from people who have rescued macaws with problems. I understand the importance of vet care and if any way I couldn't afford it or would purposely keep Joey from it, I would never have adopted Joey. No one on this lists knows me, my experience with birds, or my compassion towards the things I love to actually judge me. I never said, in the original post, I would not take Joey to the vet, I just asked for opinions and what other people have done. When I said I'm not a big vet person, I just meant not going when not needed. i don't choose to expose my bird to an avian vet office for nails, wings, and annual checkups if nothing is wrong. I do understand the imposrtance of having an established relationship with a vet in cases of need and I have that. Joey has not been seen by a vet in 2.5 years and a couple of weeks of getting settled in my home and estblaishing a trusting bond with me and letting me become more educated so I can make the right decisions in that vet office is not going to hurt Joey.
I need good resources for Joey and I hope I have not burned any bridges here, Donna M |
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pbyeerts
Top Gold Member
USA
125 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2006 : 12:32:39
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Donna, we are all trying to help you. I believe I misinterpreted your feelings about vet care, and for that I apologize. Unfortunately, I have seen birds die from neglect by owners who believe they know more than the veterinarians do. Therefore, I am very passionate and sometimes abrupt when it comes to driving home the point to a new owner to get their macaw medical care. I have obviously upset you, and I apologize. No one is accusing you of being a bad birdie mom - I think we are all just trying to help and sometimes things come across poorly when said online rather than in conversation. Hugs, Pamela
Pamela & Nimo |
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macawdreams
Forum Admin
610 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2006 : 18:49:03
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Hi Donna,
I never got the impression you did not want to take Joey to the vet. I think most of our members know how I feel about people who adopt birds, especially birds who are facing the challenges your Joey is. You are of GREAT importance to the future of our birds and you will always be given support here.
It's obvious that a caring person, such as yourself, would never take on such a responsibility, like this, only to turn around and neglect the bird you have opened your heart and home to. You have not burned any bridges here and I can't imagine how you ever could.
Macaw Dreams has been around for many years and we pride ourselves on being a very informative, caring and SUPPORTIVE group. Last night I was very much under the weather and I wish I could have taken more time to offer you more help.
With that said, and with me feeling better today... :) Let me offer you this. If it has been more than 2 years, I'd say you should make an appointment to get Joey a check up next week.
I have noticed that I get very protective of my birds and I bet you are worried about putting Joey through any more pain than he has already gone through. It sounds to me like you want to give him all of the comfort, protection and love he has missed over the years. Trust me, I can understand that.
It sounds like he is doing very well with all he has gone through. Joey will be just fine with you at the VET's office, sitting right there with him. :) Do you have a good Avian vet in your area? If not, please let us know because we will help you find one.
Huge Wing Hugs!!!
Angie R.
Macaw Dreams Site Owner
"The future of Macaws starts here" |
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Donna M
Top Gold Member
USA
69 Posts |
 Posted - 02/01/2006 : 12:20:54
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| No hard feelings guys. I think we're all just compassionate animal people and ready to protect the heck out of our fids (for me, this is kids with fur and feathers). Joey and I will get through our first vet visit together - it won't be easy for either one of us. Donna M |
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pbyeerts
Top Gold Member
USA
125 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2006 : 20:45:42
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Awww Donna.... I'll send you a hug right before you go. No worries honey, it will be fine
:-) Pamela
Pamela & Nimo |
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Topic |
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Peeling beak
