Enlarged Preen Gland

[love4birds]

Neither my vet nor I noticed it on Friday, so I don't know if we just missed it or it is super recent, but when I was checking over Nin I saw that his preen gland is quite enlarged. Maybe impacted? I'm doing warm compresses and gently massaging it, so far no change.

I would assume this is contributing to the feather pulling, but I don't think it's what started it.

He is so itchy, I don't know what to do. The remedy and pain meds are not working. I'm going to ask my vet about the Hydroxyzine Paomate that Shyra suggested. She's not in until Thursday but said I could give her a call at home if need be, so I will do that tomorrow.

I feel so awful, he is starting to fly away when I approach him He is my baby and was never even a little scared of me, now he thinks I'm going to hurt him

 

[mrstweet]

I wish I could help. Many healing thoughts for Nin!

 

[allison]

I'm sorry. I would definitely call her tomorrow and see if she could come in for an emergency. I would get it taken care of ASAP.

 

[itzmered]

 

[kcbee]

 

[BirdsFTW]

How enlarged is it? Could it be a preen gland infection??

My Kano (RIP) actually passed away in 2009 from a preen gland infection. I didn't even know he had it because his flights covered the rump area. The only reason I noticed was I came home one day to find him and his cage half covered in blood because he started picking at it. It was about the size of a marble/small gumball. He had to stay at the vet for a couple of days because he kept removing his collar, but once he stopped removing it he was able to come home with me and was on antibiotics. All of it was just too much for him, I'm sure I caught it too late, and he passed away in my hands right after one of his med doses.

 

[Leza]

Nin

 

[suncoast]

Here's an article on the preening gland...

Diseases of the Uropygial Gland

Ginger

 

[ncGreyBirdLady]

 

[love4birds]

How enlarged is it? Could it be a preen gland infection??

My Kano (RIP) actually passed away in 2009 from a preen gland infection. I didn't even know he had it because his flights covered the rump area. The only reason I noticed was I came home one day to find him and his cage half covered in blood because he started picking at it. It was about the size of a marble/small gumball. He had to stay at the vet for a couple of days because he kept removing his collar, but once he stopped removing it he was able to come home with me and was on antibiotics. All of it was just too much for him, I'm sure I caught it too late, and he passed away in my hands right after one of his med doses.

I'm not sure. How did your vet test for a preen gland infection? Just a CBC? I don't know what to compare Nin's too... maybe a little smaller than the size of one of those small pony bead?


Poor Kano

Here's an article on the preening gland...

Diseases of the Uropygial Gland

Ginger

Thanks Ginger. I hope it's just something simple like hypovitaminosis A. But they get a vitamin A source with each meal (twice a day). Maybe he's not eating enough foods with it?

I will call my vet today and see if she can see him again.

 

[love4birds]

I just checked Nin and I think it looks a tiny bit smaller this morning. It feels hard when I touch it, would that make a difference to a possible diagnosis do you think?

 

[April]

Poor Nin,many for him.

 

[Ariahna]

I hope the infection gets under control soon. Many hugs for you and Nin.

 

[Chantilly Lace]

Awe poor Nin, I hope you can get him better soon.

 

[KimKimWilliamson]

Eeek, hope Nin is hanging in there!

 

[love4birds]

The clinic didn't have the right Hydroxyzine, so my vet made up some Children's Benadryl to the right dilution for Nin. She also gave me some homeopathic Silica to help the preen gland drain. Leyla was treated with the Silica when she had a feather cyst and it worked very well (didn't even have to have the feather removed).

His preen gland has gone down in size considerable since this morning even! The compresses are definitely helping. It's still got a ways to go though. My vet said to continue what I'm doing along with the Silica and we should be good in a couple of days. She doesn't think it's infected or that it's causing the feather issues.

 

[love4birds]

Thank you all for the hugs and well wishes

 

[Marlene]

Glad it is going better.

 

[BirdsFTW]

I'm not sure. How did your vet test for a preen gland infection? Just a CBC? I don't know what to compare Nin's too... maybe a little smaller than the size of one of those small pony bead?


Poor Kano

Being an Avian Specialist, my previous vet was able to tell it was an infection by looking at it. I just can't believe how HUGE it was.

I'm glad Nin's gland is going back down in size.

 

[Leza]

glad it is getting better. keep us updated.