Urgent Injured wing on cockatoo

[HaileyRB2]

Hello everyone,

I currently have two birds - one rosebreasted cockatoo named Hailey who is 7 years old, and a rescue Rosey Bourke female with vision impairment named Stitch (we thought she was a male until she laid eggs lol).

I've been "lurking" a bit around the forums and decided to register; thank you all for your helpful insight and information.

Two weeks ago, I accidentally pinched Hailey's wing on her cage door (the RB2) and didn't notice she was hemorrhaging until an hour later. Took her to the vet, films showed no fracture, but they did wrap it in gauze and Coban, which she chewed off in less than 12 hours while we slept. She wasn't picking on the wing at all, and vet kept her on antibiotics and Metacam BID for pain and inflammation reduction. A few days later, she picked her wound open, bleeding heavily AGAIN. Took her back to vet (four days ago) and they sent her home with a poncho collar, which she has managed to chew a few pieces off and pick at her wing today, bleeding again. I am cleaning the wound daily and putting triple antibiotic ointment as scheduled but she is itchy...very itchy!

She is eating and drinking, and stooling. I'm feeding her on top of her pellets, fruits and mashed veggies but now I can feel her breastbone. Any suggestions as to how to keep her from picking at her wound? I feel like I'm going around in circles with her and I'm worried I may lose her. I left a message with the vet but they're not back until 8 AM tomorrow. I anticipate no sleep for me tonight; I'm afraid to take my eyes off her

Thanks for listening.

 

[rocky'smom]

Wounds that are healing are itchy. That is mostly why she is picking at it. This my suggestion; try 100% aloe on it. But ask your vet first, please.

 

[EkkieLu]

You can run her up to an animal emergency clinic if the bleeding doesn't stop. They are open 24/7. Call ahead so they can let you know if they have an avian specialist already there or have one on call.

 

[HaileyRB2]

Thank you for your responses.

The bleeding stopped but the wound is raw. She didn’t lose much blood this time (so incredibly thankful) and my mom cut longer pieces of felt to put over the chewed up poncho.

I left a message for the vet to try and accommodate her tomorrow (she has a scheduled appt on Tuesday). I’m most likely going to remain awake all night since she likes to be mischievous while we sleep.

I appreciate your responses. I’m one very nervous/anxious bird momma!

 

[iamwhoiam]

Hope everything will be OK with Hailey. @Sarahmoluccan knows a lot about collars so maybe she can give you some ideas/recommendations regarding one that will work better to prevent Hailey from getting to the wing.

 

[Sarahmoluccan]

Using a soft collar might work but wings can be tricky as some birds will learn that stretching their wings will give them access to pick at them again. So its difficult. Still a collar might buy enough time for the wound to heal before they can learn to get around it. I think it's worth a shot.

While I do believe it's rare occasionally picking behavior can become a habit even when you know what started the picking like this case. I hope it doesn't and fact you got him to a vet quickly works in your favor. I wish you and your birds all the best

 

[HaileyRB2]

Quick Hailey update:

Decided to get a second opinion and took her to my mom’s avian vet (he was closed when her accident happened, so I had to go elsewhere).

Upon weighing, she lost 4 grams, so a lot less than I thought she did. He gave her Gabapentin and Vitamin AD & B12 injections. He wrapped her wing since the wound was closed, and gave her a new collar (snap on/off). She can access her wing dressing, but he did put a bitter ointment on top and sent me home with extra Coban and stypic powder. We see him back in a few days.

She’s angry at the collar - the angriest I’ve ever seen her, but she is eating, and that makes us all happy

 

[iamwhoiam]

Good that she is eating more. Hoping the wing heals quickly. Sometimes it's good to get a second opinion.