G.S.E. Overdose?

[CALVINS MOM]

If anyone knows about this product, I'd appreciate your thoughts. I got a call tonight from someone who has a 1 year old male SI Eclectus. He said he suddenly started plucking his leg feathers to the point where his two legs are now "raw". Seeing that the Ekkie is not hormonal at this age, and knowing what an excellent owner this guy is, I asked if he had changed anything with diet, less or more full spectrum lighting, cage location, toys, etc. He said nothing was different other than that he started using the GSE in the water (per my suggestion) about a month ago.

It turns out that he was placing FIVE DROPS in a 16 oz bowl daily. I only use one drop for 16 ounces.

I am wondering if this is what is causing this new behavior. Any thoughts?

[Lisa B]

could be allergies. could be the bird was taking a bath in it, and it made his legs dry....could be he had dry patches on his skin to begin with and if he was taking a bath, the acid would have stung....
is that any help?

[CALVINS MOM]

Originally Posted by Lisa B

could be allergies. could be the bird was taking a bath in it, and it made his legs dry....could be he had dry patches on his skin to begin with and if he was taking a bath, the acid would have stung....
is that any help?

I told him it may be something that he was allergic to. I never thought of the bathing part. I did tell him to reduce the amount to one drop a day and see if that clears things up. It obviously won't be immediate. I was also thinking of the AviX Soothing Spray.... Any thoughts on that?

[jimpierce7]

that is human strength quantity of the GSE. My guess is it just way too much. I use one drop to 3 cups of water myself. Mostly because thats how much water I use each morning.

[CALVINS MOM]

Originally Posted by jimpierce7

that is human strength quantity of the GSE. My guess is it just way too much. I use one drop to 3 cups of water myself. Mostly because thats how much water I use each morning.

I was thinking that it was WAY too much. In fact, I told him that it is an exorbitant amount. Do you think it did anything to the bird internally? These guys are SO particulare about this bird. They do everything right. When I suggested the GSE, they said they would be stopping by. Apparently they purchased it elsewhere and didn't think to all to find out the avian dosage.

Do you think it did any damage to the bird internally?

[jimpierce7]

I wouldn't be able to say for sure but I would keep an eye on him for sure. 5 drops is the low end amount for using as a preventative (?) type antibiotic, like garlic is but a lot stronger. If my mind is working right, the GSE is acidic so feeding alkali would neutralize? What it would be I don't know off hand.

[Tashk]

If it will help, I have a list of some fruits and vegs that are alkaline. If so, let me know, I'll dig it up.

[CALVINS MOM]

He's bringing him in Tuesday night. Unfortunately, I didn't think to ask for his telephone number. He said everything else was "normal" - his droppings, behavior, personality, appetite, etc. I told him that if he put one drop on his tongue (which I advised against), it would feel as if his tongue were burning due to the highly acidic nature of this product. Well, let's hope for the best and see if he is doing any better with the change in dosage.

[jimpierce7]

here's to hoping for the best!!!

[Lynjupiter]

I do think that is totally overdoing it on the GSE,
If he had called me I would have told him to stop the GSE completely and see if the plucking stops. I have read ekkies are very prone to allergies. I would also ask him if he has seen any toe tapping or twitching. That is a sign of allergies in eclectus.

www.landofvos.com is a wonderful ekkie sight I reccomend to all my club members who have ekkies.

I have used the soothing spray on Max and it does not seem to help much.
Cool wet cloth should be soothing if the bird will tolerate it.

Lynda