Pamela C
Meeting neighbors
- Joined
- 10/12/17
- Messages
- 37
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!
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!