Scissors Beak

[Monica]

This is a site I found while searching for prosthetic beaks... It shows two pictures of how the beak of a hyacinth chick was corrected (much like the beak of the african grey with beak deformity in grey section), although I will admit it's a bit 'graphic', and the second image is actually a drawing of how an overgrown scissor beak is fixed on a cockatoo using prosthetics...

From RITCHIE, HARRISON, & HARRISON'S "AVIAN MEDICINE", CHAPTER 42, ORTHOPEDIC SURGICAL TECHNIQUES

http://www.urbanwildlifesociety.org/WLR/Xbeak.html

For anyone interested in reading the fine text underneath the images, here they are!

FIG 42.33 a) Scissors beak in a Hyacinth Macaw chick. b) The defect was corrected by placing a KE wire through the frontal bone and using a rubber band to place correcting pressure on the beak tip. The upper beak was properly aligned within seven days of applying the apparatus.



FIG 42.34 a) Scissors beak can be corrected by using pins placed through the frontal bone or by using a prosthetic device attached to the gnathotheca. b) The gnathotheca is scarified with a dental burr and cleaned and covered with a light coat of dental acrylic. c) Nylon dental mesh is covered with dental acrylic to create a ramp that pushes the tip of the beak into proper alignment. d) The prosthesis after being shaped with a Dremel tool.



And if you don't know what a gnathotheca is, here's a description...

Bird Brain Information: The bill or beak is anatomically known as the rostrum. It includes the bones of the upper and lower jaws and their horny sheaths. The upper horny sheath is called the rhinotheca; the lower horny sheath is called the gnathotheca.

[dislater]

When Glory came to us her lower beak was so over grown it extended past the middle of her eye on the left side. At first the vet trimmed it and showed me how to keep it trimmed. Finally, I compared her upper beak to Twiggy's upper beak and gently using a dremel and clippers, I reformed her upper beak to match Twiggy's so that it would properly meet the lower beak and keep natural force on the lower beak, thus resulting in normal growth.

Before forcing the beak into normal position Glory was never able to climb in her cage, play with toys or eat anything but seeds. Now she can do all those things and learns more about toys every week.

Before I reshaped her upper beek I took pictures of her beak and Twiggy's beak and the vet consulted with me and approved of the trimming I wanted to do. In Glory's case, it was a success with two trimmings within 6 months. Now that she can chew and play, I haven't had to touch her beak in over 2 years. di

[Monica]

That sounds like you did a great job! Would love to see photos of before, during, and after!

[dislater]

I didn't have a digital camera then and the vet kept my photos, and took her own of the 'finished beak'. di

[Monica]

Ah alright. Well, thanks anyway! It's at least good to hear that there was a good outcome!