My suspicions have been confirmed :(

[ortegah]

Shawn has two feathers growing out of one follicle. I wonder if his previous owners ever knew that. They just said that once in a while he'd pick a hole in his chest. Well here's why. If you look right under the big feather on the left you'll see a smaller one sticking out from under it. It is most definitely coming out of the same hole. Is there anything I can do other than just plucking the offending feather out?

 

[mrstweet]

Ouch! I think that's your only option...particularly if it preempts a plucking episode. I imagine that would be both painful and bothersome to him

Have you talked to your CAV?

 

[ortegah]

He's been to the vet many times. He's on soother spray 3 times a day, wears an E collar and has had two hormone shots. He's had a total blood workup twice now and it's been all negative. The last time he was in the scab was still on his chest so the doctor pulled the scab off and pulled the one feather that was coming in. Now that we've left it alone for a while and he's had the collar on I now see what's growing out of it. I think in the past he was just pulling them out himself

 

[mrstweet]

I would request that the vet extract that feather, maybe with a topical numbing agent. I would not want to induce more plucking and that looks pretty inflamed.

 

[Bokkapooh]

I would surgically opt to have that follicle removed. It looks extremely painful. Poor guy!!!

 

[itzmered]

poor guy that would bother me too

 

[Birdlover]

That sure would explain why he would go after that area. Ouch! If the extra one is removed would it grow back even with the other one in place? Seems it would have to come out either way but it sure would be nice if leaving one (if thats possible) could slow down the process of it coming back. Thats the one time where you'd want the follicle to not be able to regrow a feather. Hope it is something easily treated

 

[Jazzysmama]

ouch, that looks so painful and inflamed. I would definitely take him to the vet and see if he can permanently fix it. that has to hurt. It hurts me just to look at that photo. lol. Please keep us updated.

 

[love4birds]

Poor guy

I would also opt for surgical removal of the follicle. If you just pull one feather out, chances are (at least with my Leyla and Kermit) it'll either grow back right away, the other one will fall out and they'll both grow back, or you'll just do more damage to the follicle and irritate the area more. If the reason for the double feathers is follicle trauma, there's also a good chance it'll always grow back with two. If it's really bugging him and there's just the one, I think removing the follicle would be best for him.

 

[mrstweet]

I didn't even know it was possible to remove a follicle!

 

[April]

Poor guy,I hope he,s able to get some relief.

 

[luvsgreys]

Sending healing thoughts for Shawn, and hugs for you both! I would also ask the vet for more info on removing the folicle. I'm glad you've found this clue to his plucking, the unknowns are always so frustrating.

 

[ortegah]

He's got an appointment on Monday. His doctor is on vacation this week.

My husband yesterday was going on about how much Shawn's been screaming lately and how it's driving him batty. I brought him out and saw the feathers and showed them to my husband. Then he felt bad. At least now he understands and hopefully will have a bit more compassion for him.

 

[QP4CAG]

Awwww poor little dude!!! There's nothing I can add so just going to send healing prayers ur way!!

 

[Birdlover]

is it even possible to remove a follicle? It seems like it would be the ideal thing but Ive never heard of the procedure. Has anyone had that done?

 

[love4birds]

is it even possible to remove a follicle? It seems like it would be the ideal thing but Ive never heard of the procedure. Has anyone had that done?

I don't know a ton about it and haven't had it done for my birds, but I do know some vets use electrolysis to kill the follicle. I'd considered that for Leyla at the onset of her polyfolliculitis, but she had way too many affected follicles, it would have cost a fortune.

 

[ortegah]

I don't know a ton about it and haven't had it done for my birds, but I do know some vets use electrolysis to kill the follicle. I'd considered that for Leyla at the onset of her polyfolliculitis, but she had way too many affected follicles, it would have cost a fortune.

Hmm, that would be a great option. I guess I'll find out next Monday. Thanks for the info!

 

[Greycloud]

Poor boy! I hope Dr. Gold can give you some answers on Monday.

 

[ortegah]

Poor boy! I hope Dr. Gold can give you some answers on Monday.

Now that he has a better range of motion he's not nearly as miserable. Hopefully Dr Gold has a relatively easy solution.

 

[birdlvr466]

Hoping you and Shawn can get some relief.