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Peachface Lovebird Losing/Picking feathers around neck only?

Pamela C

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Hello all,

I am new to the forum and was hoping to gain some insight on what others may think is going on with my 2 year old lovebird named Chicken. He has been to the vets 4 times since January for itching. It started out with him seemingly agitated and itching all over in January. He didn't appear to be molting so I was concerned and took him to the vet. No mites were found and since he seemed otherwise healthy I was advised to give him some time and see if a molt started-which it did 2 weeks later. However, his "itching" never really did seem to subside and I then noticed a "bare" spot of feathers on the left side of his neck in March. This had me very concerned so I took him back. This time I was told he had broken a blood feather and was probably itching because of that. This eventually healed, but again he never really STOPPED itching. Then in August he developed a bald spot on the RIGHT side of his neck. I took him in AGAIN and was advised that it was more than likely behavioral and to continue misting him, etc. Which I did, however, a few weeks later I noticed that all the feathers around his entire neck were now GONE. You do not notice when he is just perched or inactive, but as he bobs his little head around or moves you notice. We went to the vets yet again and this time his fecal matter was tested and no signs of illness. However, he had these little black dots almost resembling "blackheads" on his neck so the vet swabbed him and informed me lots of white blood cells were forming as though he was fighting off a bacterial infection. She prescribed him Baytril and Meloxidyl (to reduce inflammation) and he finished his meds last Thursday. However, he is still itching at the one bare spot on his neck, although it does appear some of the feathers ARE growing back around the back of his neck, but there are some very DARK pin feathers (they are usually always white). His diet is primarily seed, but also pellets and some veggies when he will eat them. I clean his cage down daily, change his paper, fresh water. Complete cleaning once a week. He is extremely active and he is out of the cage daily for at least 2-3 hours as he is my sidekick. I placed him in his own room with a cool mist humidifier 3 weeks ago to see if that would help with any dry skin issues and also give him uninterrupted sleep during the night. At times he has acted like he has "fleas" and just starting itching all over. He also kinda "shivers" when direct sunlight hits him or bright light as if he is agitated. Again, mites were tested for and nothing found. If you did NOT see the spot on his neck you would think he was fine. He is playful, eating, drinking, normal droppings, etc. He likes to cuddle with me so I began making sure my hands and face are clean because I even thought maybe something on ME was agitating him. We do have another visit to an avian specialist on Saturday (my vet said she would not be offended if I sought another opinion because she also wants to see him improve). I honestly am not sure what else to try and am worried what else to look for, expect. He is a solo lovebird, but up until a few months ago he has had no issues. He has a lot of toys, attention, time out of the cage, etc. and has always seemed happy. Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you!
 

HolliDaze

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I may just be being silly, but was he tested for pbfd? The symptoms don't match exactly, but it's a possibility.
 

Familyof12

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I have a lovebird, Tito and I've not had this problem. I'm sure someone here will have some information on it. I sure am glad you are getting a second opinion as that is exactly what I would do without a doubt!

The most common mite problem we have are these tiny little red things (we can see with a naked eye). So if the vet didn't see it, you are probably safe.

The neck area is generally a difficult area for birds to get to, not that they can't. There could be multiple reasons so going to the vet is fantastic! I understand that there are environmental and medical conditions for dry, itchy skin like Giardia, but when they scratch, the skin can become infected since they land on their poop often. They vet will provide ointment if this is the case. Some have Food allergies and/or are sensitive to certain foods. If this is the case, you will have to take the time to figure out what it is he is allergic to. Every ingredient of everything you give him will need to be researched. I try to buy roundybush or lefebers or another well known brand rated highly be well known avian vets.

It sounds like the diet is pretty good. Our diet is 50-60 fresh dark green, purple, red, yellow veggies and lots of fruit, some whole grain pasta, grains, breads (rare), 30-40% roundybush crumble, and 20% or less seeds. The veggie and fruit part is REALLY IMPORTANT.

Airborne and metal chemicals such as candles, teflon, air fresheners, metal on bars, metal on anything they like to lick or taste, etc. also cause irritation to the skin and cause plucking or self mutilation too so if you have anything like that, get rid of it.

Good you are using a humidifier to help alleviate the skin, although, my concern would be mold/fungus. For that reason, I keep a temperature/humidity gage (cheap on amazon $10-15). I keep the bird's room temperature at a constant 78% F and 40% humidity. Always in the room where they fly free. When they are outside, I also make sure the temperature is between 75-85 and provide lots of water (usually a hose spraying the lawn at the same time) to provide some moisture in the air.

Please keep us informed of what your vet says. I hope he is okay!
 

fluffypoptarts

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Pamela C

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Thank you all for the info and the helpful hints and suggestions. He was not tested for PBFD as of yet. He honestly has shown no other health symptoms thus far besides the feather loss around his neck. He did have a few days of polyuria, but I believe he was drinking more because of medication because I have not noticed that since Monday evening.

It is very nice to see people that love their little feathered friends as much as I love him. I had always had budgies and after they passed 2 years ago I decided to get a hand-tamed lovebird at about 9 weeks old. I had absolutely no idea how attached I would become or how BIG of a personality he would have. He is definitely the boss in the house and doesn't realize he is miniature-his little attitude is huge. He is of course attached to me and we spend as much time playing, interacting as I can. All my friends know who Chicken is because he is always doing something silly or cute and I of course take plenty of pics/videos. I think he takes up the most space on my phone. :) I want to take good care of him and be the best Bird Mom I can. It just worries me because I haven't been able to "fix" him yet and I hate to see him dig at himself and lose feathers. I've googled just about everything on the subject and have found lots of possibilities. Just so far nothing has been proven to be wrong with him and it leaves me scratching my head as to what I need to change or do to help him get passed this.
 

Familyof12

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It sure sounds like you are a fantastic parront and so far you've done almost everything you could except for the second opinion. Please don't overly stress yourself. As long as he is still playing, eating, drinking and pooping, it sounds as if he's comfortable. The aloe that @Flufflypoptarts is a great idea. I understand aloe is a natural soothing substance for the skin of birds.

You are positive he isn't molting right? The neck area is usually saved for another bird to do (I have multiple birds), mine will insist one someone doing their head and neck area for them. They'll even peck each other to have the other do it for them! So it is a strange area that is irritated. I can't wait until your avian vet visit to see what that doctor says. Please keep us updated! I'm curious about it too! Thank you!
 

Pamela C

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It sure sounds like you are a fantastic parront and so far you've done almost everything you could except for the second opinion. Please don't overly stress yourself. As long as he is still playing, eating, drinking and pooping, it sounds as if he's comfortable. The aloe that @Flufflypoptarts is a great idea. I understand aloe is a natural soothing substance for the skin of birds.

You are positive he isn't molting right? The neck area is usually saved for another bird to do (I have multiple birds), mine will insist one someone doing their head and neck area for them. They'll even peck each other to have the other do it for them! So it is a strange area that is irritated. I can't wait until your avian vet visit to see what that doctor says. Please keep us updated! I'm curious about it too! Thank you!
I usually scratch his neck area for him when he is molting, but pretty positive this isn't a molt. I will look into the spray; I just had read mixed reviews about spraying with anything other than just water (I didn't want to make things worse). I just hate dragging him back and forth to the vets and exposing him to a number of things and stressing him out. It ALWAYS worries me even though he seems to not care much. But I worry anyway-but I do KNOW something isn't right with him so I want to cover all bases and go from there. I will keep you updated and THANK YOU!
 

JLcribber

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You keep talking about “itching”. I hate to tell you this but birds spend a good 80% of their time preening and looking after their feathers. So what looks like itching isn't necessarily. I'm not saying there isn't a problem but a lot of that behaviour is normal.

Love birds are known to pluck so stress and anxiety are always a factor. The fact that she has chosen one particular spot is also not that unusual. Just some things to think about.
 

TikiMyn

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I don't have any advice, I just wanted to say your lovie is lucky to have such a Great servant and parront! You are doing everything you can! I hope the second Opninion Will clear things up:heart: I hope it isn't plucking or Anthing serious, sending good thoughts your way!
 

Pamela C

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You keep talking about “itching”. I hate to tell you this but birds spend a good 80% of their time preening and looking after their feathers. So what looks like itching isn't necessarily. I'm not saying there isn't a problem but a lot of that behaviour is normal.

Love birds are known to pluck so stress and anxiety are always a factor. The fact that she has chosen one particular spot is also not that unusual. Just some things to think about.
I do understand that preening is normal, however, he never itched nowhere near this much even when molting. This is something that just began several months ago and is rather constant and noticeable. Since things have still not improved and now all his neck feathers are pretty much gone I think there could be something else going on. If everything checks out medically I will begin searching other avenues to try to correct this behavior and hopefully get him back to "normal". I was just hoping maybe someone else would have experienced something like this before and be able to offer some personal advice. Thanks for the input. :)
 

Pamela C

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I don't have any advice, I just wanted to say your lovie is lucky to have such a Great servant and parront! You are doing everything you can! I hope the second Opninion Will clear things up:heart: I hope it isn't plucking or Anthing serious, sending good thoughts your way!
Thank you. I appreciate the kind words!
 

Tiel Feathers

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Has he been tested for Giardia? Sometimes these parasites can make birds itchy. Sometimes it's hard to test for, and you can get false negative results. Usually it's the legs and wings that are effected most I think, but it probably could be other places too. I hope you can figure it out! Going to another vet is a good idea.
Giardia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
 

Pamela C

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Has he been tested for Giardia? Sometimes these parasites can make birds itchy. Sometimes it's hard to test for, and you can get false negative results. Usually it's the legs and wings that are effected most I think, but it probably could be other places too. I hope you can figure it out! Going to another vet is a good idea.
Giardia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Thank you! Funny you mention that because I actually just ordered a testing kit since it says that sometimes this is hard to detect at a vet's appointment and will test negative often times. With the test kit you take 3 samples from 3 consecutive days (they say morning is the best for samples) and I can then send away to a lab (for $45 I believe) and get results. Vet said it is unlikely he has that, but I want to make sure. If for some reason he just turns out to be a "plucker" I guess I will deal with that as best as I can and do what I can to try to help it. I am just trying to rule out all the medical stuff first.
 

Pamela C

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Just an update: Took Chicken to another avian vet and she is testing him for a variety of things. Hoping to get the test results back by the end of the week. Other than the feathers she didn't see any other signs of illness, but we are trying to rule out medical causes first. Thanks!
 

Pamela C

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Chicken update: Results came back and he is negative for PBFD and also no significant findings for CBC. However his total protein was low at 2.0 and his uric acid was above normal at 11.1 (they said normal was 3-11). I am concerned about that because one of the meds he was on formally was Meloxidyl for inflammation and I heard that could cause kidney issues.
The vet wants to possibly do skin cultures for more definitive answers and to treat for a bacterial infection (if present) with another medication (we already tried Baytril). He also mentioned testing for Polyoma, but I believe that is unlikely. He is still behaving normally and eating well, etc. Overall he does seem to have improved, but the one spot on his neck is still being dug at. The feathers all around his neck seem to be trying to grow back, but in the past several days I've also found lots of the white little fluffy feathers again all over the floor. He does not seem as consumed with "digging" as he had been, but he does still go after that one spot to where I can see it bleed sometimes. I think cultures are a good idea and possibly a different antibiotic if there is an infection, but not sure what other tests can be done at this point. I feel like dragging him back and forth to the vet is becoming more stress than it is worth. Any other advice? Thanks!
 

Familyof12

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I'm very happy for you that it is not PBFD and no CBC. A lot of meds cause kidney/liver issues. Are you concerned your vet isn't caring for your bird enough? If so, maybe you should seek another and get a second opinion? With drugs it's a balance between treating the imminent issue and the side affects, hoping they heal faster than the side affects can until he heals and good health will reverse the effects of the meds. I'm glad he is eating well. I guess making sure his diet is excellent and is being provided everything you can for now. Keep him calm, occupied, maybe change his cage around a little to give him new things to play with and keep him occupied since he seems to be doing okay?

None of mine have plucked yet and I'm sure no one is immune to this behavior so I'm very curious to know what everyone else thinks too.
 

LilSprout

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Kamara has a similar issue, she is a former plucker but she still has a bald spot under her neck/chin area. Her vet said she may never completely stop plucking there but at long as it doesn't worsen there shouldn't be any worry.
He also said it could be hormonal plucking, I'm not sure if male lovebirds do this but Kamara was given like, an anti hormone shot to see if that would stop her plucking (she had begun plucking again due to an ear infection and aftr the infection cleared up she stopped again)
IMG_2742.JPG
You can see her bald chin a little in this picture
 

Familyof12

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Kamara is adorable! I'm sure glad she is doing better! I have an affinity for lovebirds. Her little pink beak is adorable! We lost Tito our lovebird recently and we're still looking for him, we re-homed another so he would have a friend and she is currently in quarantine. I'm curious as to this behavior as I now have a female lovebird. I'm sure I will come across this as I will have birds until I die so I will have many more experiences like everyone else here has. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences.
 

TikiMyn

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I am glad she is doing better! I hope you Will find out why she is doing it soon:)
I didn't know you lost Tito familyof12:( I am so very sorry, I hope you find him soon:sadhug2:
 
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