| Re: cockatiels and Poppet update - CLICK HERE for the Pet Manual Forum Home Page |
| Ian |
Poppet has ALWAYS had a problem with feather plucking, we took her to the
Vets when we first noticed (4 years ago now) and after so many tests they
diagnosed it was a psychological problem. Not cage location, human
interaction, lack of toys(they had loads), not boredom(she had her sister
Po-Po) it was nothing more than a 'security' issue. After checking back with
the breeder where we got them from, he informed us that Poppet was the
equivalent of the 'runt of the litter'. I know this sounds bizarre maybe,
but this is something in her psychological make-up, she does it and nothing
is going to change her. We've tried allsorts of potions and lotions and
although they will stop or reduce her plucking for a few days, she literally
gets depressed. She just over preens herself. Even when she is out of her
cage she'll pick at the carpet/towel/our clothes anything she can get her
beak into.
Since she's been ill, she hasn't done it as much ...... thankfully, and our
new Avian Vet has also tested her and confirmed it is psychological. Luckily
she's only preened a few times to actually drawing blood and we've always
noticed and treated her, but it's scary stuff when it has happened.
Anyway for those of you interested, Poppet is doing well (we think so
anyway!) she's so much more lively and alert, although poor little thing
does get tired easily, to be expected. She's been out quite a few times for
a walk round the lounge and the best news of all is that she's started
chirping again, albeit somewhat quieter, but her enthusiasm is there which
is the main thing. She'll quite happily sit and 'talk' back to us now and
she's even had a chat with the TV :-)
We've been monitoring her water(and antibiotic) intake closely and she's
drinking around 15-20 mls on average a day, so it's good to know she's still
getting antibiotics in her(much less stressful then the Vets and
injections(ouch!)
Her food intake is also steadily increasing every day, obviously this gives
her more energy, so I think she secretly enjoys watching me and Mommy on our
hands and knees coaxing her out from her hidey holes or running after her
around the lounge. Strange, but I'm sure she was smiling/laughing at us
yesterday evening when she was perched on a cable watching us attempting to
coax her off it?
Ian
"Mamabird" <spam@goaway.com> wrote in message
news:0GIhb.5508$av5.185@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> > > I have a year old male.but I have one problem,he's tearing his
feathers
> > > out,he makes a loud noise when he does this.I bathe him 2-3 times a
> week
> > > and make sure he's dry. so can anyone tell me why he's doing this?he's
> a
> > > very happy bird and I don't think ive done anything
> wrong...........thanks
> > > ...Ann
> > | "Manu-man" <manu-man@xtra.co.nz> wrote in message
> > | news:uX8hb.172676$JA5.4326748@news.xtra.co.nz...
> > | > Yes Jamiroquai is right about that. I have a cockatiel that only
> plucks
> > under her wings and I did research about it and the fact was she got
> board when
> > I was out. She has a few mates in the cage now plus things to do in the
> cage.
> > Bells and a small ball on the floor of the cage. This problem is with
> most
> > parrots from cockatiels up to cockatoos.
>
> > |> "Mamabird" <spam@goaway.com> wrote in message...
> > | Giardia is also a problem with most parrots from tiels to toos... with
> tiels
> > being the most susceptible. The "loud noise" the bird makes when pulling
> its
> > feathers that the OP mentioned is a clue that Giardia is the likely
> cause.
> > | The bird should go to a vet.
>
>
> "Digital_Cowboy" <nobody@nobody.com> wrote in message
> news:vrphb.28592$pv6.21418@twister.nyc.rr.com...
> > MB,
> >
> > Not to belittle what you are currently going through with yourself
> and your
> > birds. But ya almost sound like a recovering alcoholic who sees nothing
> but
> > drunks/alcoholics behind every glass of beer/wine/liquor/mixed drink.
> And the
> > cause of the feather plucking could very well be
> environmental/psychological in
> > nature and NOT do to any illness.
> > And the screaming could also very well be because it hurts when it
> pulls out
> > it's feathers. And IF the introduction of a few toys, and/or moving the
> cage to
> > a new location stops the feather plucking. Then it would be a safe bet
> that the
> > feather plucking was environmental/psychological in nature.
>
>
> WHAT?! Excuse me, but it sure as hell sounds like you're belittling me,
> comparing me to a 'recovering alcoholic' just because I recommended this
> person take their bird to a vet.
> You know, cowboy, I was just beginning to like you. Too bad you blew it by
> insulting me for no reason whatsoever. And yeah, I'm sure you don't care.
> Just for the record, I don't care what you think of me either.
>
> Giardia is a very REAL possibility with the symptoms this bird is showing.
> Yes, the screaming IS because it is painful when the feathers are pulled.
> The bird is frantic because of the severe itching caused from the parasite
> infection, so it resorts to pulling out feathers as a desperate attempt to
> stop the unbearable itching. It becomes a vicious cycle.
>
> You're right, the feather pulling/screaming COULD be caused by something
> else, but the FIRST thing a bird owner should do is take the bird to a vet
> to rule out an illness, and go from there. Do you know Giardia can KILL a
> bird?
> I know this from firsthand experience. How much experience do YOU have
with
> sick birds, cowboy? How many of YOUR birds have had Giardia? How much have
> you researched this dreadful disease?
> I would be remiss in my observations and my responsibility to the OP if I
> neglected to point out that this poor bird is showing symptoms of a
> dangerous illness. Even if it's not Giardia it could very well be a number
> of other illnesses.
>
> If I understand you correctly, you would advise giving the bird a few toys
> first, or moving the cage, thereby wasting precious time if the bird IS
> sick? Tell me, how long exactly would you let the bird suffer while you're
> experimenting with environmental changes? It's totally irresponsible for
> anyone to tell someone to put off taking their bird, if it's showing
> symptoms of an illness, to a vet for a proper diagnosis. I wouldn't want
> someone's dead bird on MY conscience! But apparently it wouldn't bother
> you....
>
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| Mamabird |
"Ian" <lovebytes@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:QUShb.53$mV4.34@news-binary.blueyonder.co.uk...
> Poppet has ALWAYS had a problem with feather plucking, we took her to the
> Vets when we first noticed (4 years ago now) and after so many tests they
> diagnosed it was a psychological problem. Not cage location, human
> interaction, lack of toys(they had loads), not boredom(she had her sister
> Po-Po) it was nothing more than a 'security' issue. After checking back
with
> the breeder where we got them from, he informed us that Poppet was the
> equivalent of the 'runt of the litter'. I know this sounds bizarre maybe,
> but this is something in her psychological make-up, she does it and
nothing
> is going to change her. We've tried allsorts of potions and lotions and
> although they will stop or reduce her plucking for a few days, she
literally
> gets depressed. She just over preens herself. Even when she is out of her
> cage she'll pick at the carpet/towel/our clothes anything she can get her
> beak into.
> Since she's been ill, she hasn't done it as much ...... thankfully, and
our
> new Avian Vet has also tested her and confirmed it is psychological.
Luckily
> she's only preened a few times to actually drawing blood and we've always
> noticed and treated her, but it's scary stuff when it has happened.
And don't you feel better knowing it wasn't an illness, possibly a life
threatening one, that was causing her plucking?
I'm NOT arguing that there are birds that pluck for seemingly no reason...
there are *many* birds that do (I've had a couple, myself) ... but ruling
out illness should be the first thing a responsible pet owner should do.
You did EXACTLY the right thing with Poppet and are to be comended.
> Anyway for those of you interested, Poppet is doing well (we think so
> anyway!) she's so much more lively and alert, although poor little thing
> does get tired easily, to be expected. [...]
This is wonderful news! I enjoy reading your "Poppet Updates" and following
her progress. Keep 'em coming!
--
Mama
~^~^~^~ Visit Mamabird's Nest: <http://iluvbirds.tripod.com/> And My
Photo Albums at: <http://photos.yahoo.com/iluvbirdz>
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
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| Ian |
Thanks Mama(I hope you found my post responding to your discussion with Vex
amusing... honest no harm intended, just thought it would make you smile
:-)), she's a bit out-of -sorts this evening, probably from all the
chirping... sounds so feeble sometimes, but then I expected that, from the
air-sac infection dissipating.
As to her plucking, we'd love her to stop, but it's just the way she is
:-( so we've got a Lovie with a bald bum. It's strange though as we've found
the best amount of us bathing her is about every 7 or 8 days, she'll always
hop into her bath if she wants one anyway, and more likely to be less
stressful for her too, although I think she also enjoys soaking us
sometimes!! :-)
Take care Mama
Ian
"Mamabird" <spam@goaway.com> wrote in message
news:%pUhb.6111$av5.4894@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> "Ian" <lovebytes@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:QUShb.53$mV4.34@news-binary.blueyonder.co.uk...
> > Poppet has ALWAYS had a problem with feather plucking, we took her to
the
> > Vets when we first noticed (4 years ago now) and after so many tests
they
> > diagnosed it was a psychological problem. Not cage location, human
> > interaction, lack of toys(they had loads), not boredom(she had her
sister
> > Po-Po) it was nothing more than a 'security' issue. After checking back
> with
> > the breeder where we got them from, he informed us that Poppet was the
> > equivalent of the 'runt of the litter'. I know this sounds bizarre
maybe,
> > but this is something in her psychological make-up, she does it and
> nothing
> > is going to change her. We've tried allsorts of potions and lotions and
> > although they will stop or reduce her plucking for a few days, she
> literally
> > gets depressed. She just over preens herself. Even when she is out of
her
> > cage she'll pick at the carpet/towel/our clothes anything she can get
her
> > beak into.
> > Since she's been ill, she hasn't done it as much ...... thankfully, and
> our
> > new Avian Vet has also tested her and confirmed it is psychological.
> Luckily
> > she's only preened a few times to actually drawing blood and we've
always
> > noticed and treated her, but it's scary stuff when it has happened.
>
> And don't you feel better knowing it wasn't an illness, possibly a life
> threatening one, that was causing her plucking?
> I'm NOT arguing that there are birds that pluck for seemingly no reason...
> there are *many* birds that do (I've had a couple, myself) ... but ruling
> out illness should be the first thing a responsible pet owner should do.
> You did EXACTLY the right thing with Poppet and are to be comended.
>
> > Anyway for those of you interested, Poppet is doing well (we think so
> > anyway!) she's so much more lively and alert, although poor little thing
> > does get tired easily, to be expected. [...]
>
> This is wonderful news! I enjoy reading your "Poppet Updates" and
following
> her progress. Keep 'em coming!
> --
> Mama
> ~^~^~^~ Visit Mamabird's Nest: <http://iluvbirds.tripod.com/> And My
> Photo Albums at: <http://photos.yahoo.com/iluvbirdz>
> ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
>
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| Ian |
Poppet has ALWAYS had a problem with feather plucking, we took her to the
Vets when we first noticed (4 years ago now) and after so many tests they
diagnosed it was a psychological problem. Not cage location, human
interaction, lack of toys(they had loads), not boredom(she had her sister
Po-Po) it was nothing more than a 'security' issue. After checking back with
the breeder where we got them from, he informed us that Poppet was the
equivalent of the 'runt of the litter'. I know this sounds bizarre maybe,
but this is something in her psychological make-up, she does it and nothing
is going to change her. We've tried allsorts of potions and lotions and
although they will stop or reduce her plucking for a few days, she literally
gets depressed. She just over preens herself. Even when she is out of her
cage she'll pick at the carpet/towel/our clothes anything she can get her
beak into.
Since she's been ill, she hasn't done it as much ...... thankfully, and our
new Avian Vet has also tested her and confirmed it is psychological. Luckily
she's only preened a few times to actually drawing blood and we've always
noticed and treated her, but it's scary stuff when it has happened.
Anyway for those of you interested, Poppet is doing well (we think so
anyway!) she's so much more lively and alert, although poor little thing
does get tired easily, to be expected. She's been out quite a few times for
a walk round the lounge and the best news of all is that she's started
chirping again, albeit somewhat quieter, but her enthusiasm is there which
is the main thing. She'll quite happily sit and 'talk' back to us now and
she's even had a chat with the TV :-)
We've been monitoring her water(and antibiotic) intake closely and she's
drinking around 15-20 mls on average a day, so it's good to know she's still
getting antibiotics in her(much less stressful then the Vets and
injections(ouch!)
Her food intake is also steadily increasing every day, obviously this gives
her more energy, so I think she secretly enjoys watching me and Mommy on our
hands and knees coaxing her out from her hidey holes or running after her
around the lounge. Strange, but I'm sure she was smiling/laughing at us
yesterday evening when she was perched on a cable watching us attempting to
coax her off it?
Ian
"Mamabird" <spam@goaway.com> wrote in message
news:0GIhb.5508$av5.185@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> > > I have a year old male.but I have one problem,he's tearing his
feathers
> > > out,he makes a loud noise when he does this.I bathe him 2-3 times a
> week
> > > and make sure he's dry. so can anyone tell me why he's doing this?he's
> a
> > > very happy bird and I don't think ive done anything
> wrong...........thanks
> > > ...Ann
> > | "Manu-man" <manu-man@xtra.co.nz> wrote in message
> > | news:uX8hb.172676$JA5.4326748@news.xtra.co.nz...
> > | > Yes Jamiroquai is right about that. I have a cockatiel that only
> plucks
> > under her wings and I did research about it and the fact was she got
> board when
> > I was out. She has a few mates in the cage now plus things to do in the
> cage.
> > Bells and a small ball on the floor of the cage. This problem is with
> most
> > parrots from cockatiels up to cockatoos.
>
> > |> "Mamabird" <spam@goaway.com> wrote in message...
> > | Giardia is also a problem with most parrots from tiels to toos... with
> tiels
> > being the most susceptible. The "loud noise" the bird makes when pulling
> its
> > feathers that the OP mentioned is a clue that Giardia is the likely
> cause.
> > | The bird should go to a vet.
>
>
> "Digital_Cowboy" <nobody@nobody.com> wrote in message
> news:vrphb.28592$pv6.21418@twister.nyc.rr.com...
> > MB,
> >
> > Not to belittle what you are currently going through with yourself
> and your
> > birds. But ya almost sound like a recovering alcoholic who sees nothing
> but
> > drunks/alcoholics behind every glass of beer/wine/liquor/mixed drink.
> And the
> > cause of the feather plucking could very well be
> environmental/psychological in
> > nature and NOT do to any illness.
> > And the screaming could also very well be because it hurts when it
> pulls out
> > it's feathers. And IF the introduction of a few toys, and/or moving the
> cage to
> > a new location stops the feather plucking. Then it would be a safe bet
> that the
> > feather plucking was environmental/psychological in nature.
>
>
> WHAT?! Excuse me, but it sure as hell sounds like you're belittling me,
> comparing me to a 'recovering alcoholic' just because I recommended this
> person take their bird to a vet.
> You know, cowboy, I was just beginning to like you. Too bad you blew it by
> insulting me for no reason whatsoever. And yeah, I'm sure you don't care.
> Just for the record, I don't care what you think of me either.
>
> Giardia is a very REAL possibility with the symptoms this bird is showing.
> Yes, the screaming IS because it is painful when the feathers are pulled.
> The bird is frantic because of the severe itching caused from the parasite
> infection, so it resorts to pulling out feathers as a desperate attempt to
> stop the unbearable itching. It becomes a vicious cycle.
>
> You're right, the feather pulling/screaming COULD be caused by something
> else, but the FIRST thing a bird owner should do is take the bird to a vet
> to rule out an illness, and go from there. Do you know Giardia can KILL a
> bird?
> I know this from firsthand experience. How much experience do YOU have
with
> sick birds, cowboy? How many of YOUR birds have had Giardia? How much have
> you researched this dreadful disease?
> I would be remiss in my observations and my responsibility to the OP if I
> neglected to point out that this poor bird is showing symptoms of a
> dangerous illness. Even if it's not Giardia it could very well be a number
> of other illnesses.
>
> If I understand you correctly, you would advise giving the bird a few toys
> first, or moving the cage, thereby wasting precious time if the bird IS
> sick? Tell me, how long exactly would you let the bird suffer while you're
> experimenting with environmental changes? It's totally irresponsible for
> anyone to tell someone to put off taking their bird, if it's showing
> symptoms of an illness, to a vet for a proper diagnosis. I wouldn't want
> someone's dead bird on MY conscience! But apparently it wouldn't bother
> you....
>
|
|
|
| Mamabird |
"Ian" <lovebytes@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:QUShb.53$mV4.34@news-binary.blueyonder.co.uk...
> Poppet has ALWAYS had a problem with feather plucking, we took her to the
> Vets when we first noticed (4 years ago now) and after so many tests they
> diagnosed it was a psychological problem. Not cage location, human
> interaction, lack of toys(they had loads), not boredom(she had her sister
> Po-Po) it was nothing more than a 'security' issue. After checking back
with
> the breeder where we got them from, he informed us that Poppet was the
> equivalent of the 'runt of the litter'. I know this sounds bizarre maybe,
> but this is something in her psychological make-up, she does it and
nothing
> is going to change her. We've tried allsorts of potions and lotions and
> although they will stop or reduce her plucking for a few days, she
literally
> gets depressed. She just over preens herself. Even when she is out of her
> cage she'll pick at the carpet/towel/our clothes anything she can get her
> beak into.
> Since she's been ill, she hasn't done it as much ...... thankfully, and
our
> new Avian Vet has also tested her and confirmed it is psychological.
Luckily
> she's only preened a few times to actually drawing blood and we've always
> noticed and treated her, but it's scary stuff when it has happened.
And don't you feel better knowing it wasn't an illness, possibly a life
threatening one, that was causing her plucking?
I'm NOT arguing that there are birds that pluck for seemingly no reason...
there are *many* birds that do (I've had a couple, myself) ... but ruling
out illness should be the first thing a responsible pet owner should do.
You did EXACTLY the right thing with Poppet and are to be comended.
> Anyway for those of you interested, Poppet is doing well (we think so
> anyway!) she's so much more lively and alert, although poor little thing
> does get tired easily, to be expected. [...]
This is wonderful news! I enjoy reading your "Poppet Updates" and following
her progress. Keep 'em coming!
--
Mama
~^~^~^~ Visit Mamabird's Nest: <http://iluvbirds.tripod.com/> And My
Photo Albums at: <http://photos.yahoo.com/iluvbirdz>
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
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| Ian |
Thanks Mama(I hope you found my post responding to your discussion with Vex
amusing... honest no harm intended, just thought it would make you smile
:-)), she's a bit out-of -sorts this evening, probably from all the
chirping... sounds so feeble sometimes, but then I expected that, from the
air-sac infection dissipating.
As to her plucking, we'd love her to stop, but it's just the way she is
:-( so we've got a Lovie with a bald bum. It's strange though as we've found
the best amount of us bathing her is about every 7 or 8 days, she'll always
hop into her bath if she wants one anyway, and more likely to be less
stressful for her too, although I think she also enjoys soaking us
sometimes!! :-)
Take care Mama
Ian
"Mamabird" <spam@goaway.com> wrote in message
news:%pUhb.6111$av5.4894@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> "Ian" <lovebytes@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:QUShb.53$mV4.34@news-binary.blueyonder.co.uk...
> > Poppet has ALWAYS had a problem with feather plucking, we took her to
the
> > Vets when we first noticed (4 years ago now) and after so many tests
they
> > diagnosed it was a psychological problem. Not cage location, human
> > interaction, lack of toys(they had loads), not boredom(she had her
sister
> > Po-Po) it was nothing more than a 'security' issue. After checking back
> with
> > the breeder where we got them from, he informed us that Poppet was the
> > equivalent of the 'runt of the litter'. I know this sounds bizarre
maybe,
> > but this is something in her psychological make-up, she does it and
> nothing
> > is going to change her. We've tried allsorts of potions and lotions and
> > although they will stop or reduce her plucking for a few days, she
> literally
> > gets depressed. She just over preens herself. Even when she is out of
her
> > cage she'll pick at the carpet/towel/our clothes anything she can get
her
> > beak into.
> > Since she's been ill, she hasn't done it as much ...... thankfully, and
> our
> > new Avian Vet has also tested her and confirmed it is psychological.
> Luckily
> > she's only preened a few times to actually drawing blood and we've
always
> > noticed and treated her, but it's scary stuff when it has happened.
>
> And don't you feel better knowing it wasn't an illness, possibly a life
> threatening one, that was causing her plucking?
> I'm NOT arguing that there are birds that pluck for seemingly no reason...
> there are *many* birds that do (I've had a couple, myself) ... but ruling
> out illness should be the first thing a responsible pet owner should do.
> You did EXACTLY the right thing with Poppet and are to be comended.
>
> > Anyway for those of you interested, Poppet is doing well (we think so
> > anyway!) she's so much more lively and alert, although poor little thing
> > does get tired easily, to be expected. [...]
>
> This is wonderful news! I enjoy reading your "Poppet Updates" and
following
> her progress. Keep 'em coming!
> --
> Mama
> ~^~^~^~ Visit Mamabird's Nest: <http://iluvbirds.tripod.com/> And My
> Photo Albums at: <http://photos.yahoo.com/iluvbirdz>
> ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
>
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