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Feather Picking - Possible Causes

 -  " POSSIBLE CAUSES OF FEATHER PICKING The Bird and Animal Hospital 12521 So. Dixie Hwy, Miami FL 33156 Thomas L Goldsmith, DVM MS 305-259-6677 One of the most frequently seen clinical problems in birds is feather picking or chewing. The first thing to think about is what sort of picking it is. Are the feathers completely pulled out or are they just chewed apart in the middle? Is the skin broken and mutilated (a classic cockatoo problem)? Are the feathers themselves normal looking, or are they picked at the gill base? Are the structure and color of the feathers normal, or are they dull, frayed or crossed with black bars that resemble a sergeant’s stripes? All of these descriptions are insights into the source or cause of the problem. The goal is to categorize: is the cause of the feather damage medical, nutritional, hormonal, sexual, psychological or due to feather mites? I have listed mites last because despite being the least likely cause of the problem, it is the most common diagnosis made at the pet shop, following which of course you will be sold an anti feather mite spray. Just as for a dog with mange, a bird with mites will always have something else serious that is wrong with them. The mites are just a symptom. And still, I see so few cases of parrot "

Feather Picking - Possible Causes

 -  " POSSIBLE CAUSES OF FEATHER PICKING The Bird and Animal Hospital 12521 So. Dixie Hwy, Miami FL 33156 Thomas L Goldsmith, DVM MS 305-259-6677 One of the most frequently seen clinical problems in birds is feather picking or chewing. The first thing to think about is what sort of picking it is. Are the feathers completely pulled out or are they just chewed apart in the middle? Is the skin broken and mutilated (a classic cockatoo problem)? Are the feathers themselves normal looking, or are they picked at the gill base? Are the structure and color of the feathers normal, or are they dull, frayed or crossed with black bars that resemble a sergeant’s stripes? All of these descriptions are insights into the source or cause of the problem. The goal is to categorize: is the cause of the feather damage medical, nutritional, hormonal, sexual, psychological or due to feather mites? I have listed mites last because despite being the least likely cause of the problem, it is the most common diagnosis made at the pet shop, following which of course you will be sold an anti feather mite spray. Just as for a dog with mange, a bird with mites will always have something else serious that is wrong with them. The mites are just a symptom. And still, I see so few cases of parrot "

Feather Picking by Sally Blanchard

 -  "From the Proceedings of the International Aviculturists Society Convention, Orlando, FL During consultations and seminars, I am often asked to provide a solution for feather plucking problems in companion parrots. I can share helpful information but absolute solutions are usually difficult. Parrots rarely indulge in feather destructive behavior for just one reason. There are probably as many complexities to feather picking as their are parrots who pick. To some degree, different species of parrots may have diverse causative factors that influence feather problems and certainly the age that picking starts has a great deal to do with its reasons. I believe it is absolutely essential that parrots who have started plucking be seen by a knowledgeable avian veterinarian as soon as possible. Even if the test results show a physical health problem, I encourage parrot owners to optimize their parrot's environment. This includes a discussion about proper diet, frequent showering, good lighting, cage size and the necessities of play and exercise. Improving basic care is always an important step with any health problem "

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