Cockatoo lump on face.

[kali]

Today I went to an awful, awful pet store and saw the sweetest Sulphur Crested Cockatoo there. He was saying "Hi cocky" and mumbling other things. We were dancing and he was so cute!

I got him out and started talking to him and trying to get him to step up but he was happy holding onto the door and getting wing and head scratches. As i was scratching his head i noticed that one side of his head was bigger than the other. I felt around it and squished it a bit. It didn't cause him any pain, but it was pretty big! It would be probably 6cm in diameter and felt SQUISHY, liquid filled.

Anyone know what it might be? I was really tempted to buy this bird. I won't do it unless they sell him at a significant discount though, $900 is WAY too much for a 4 year old cocky, especially one with an issue like that.

The reason I want to know what it is is so i can call the Avian Vet 3 doors down from them and voice my concerns. It is their vet and they should take him in. If they don't then hopefully the vet will contact them. I'm worried they might just put him down.

[lilkelley]

Poor bird. I worked at Petland for a very brief time when I was 17. Every horror story you hear about them is true. One one hand I wish pet stores didn't sell livestock, but on the other I have been in awesome "mom and pop" stores where the animals were thriving. How sad. Keep us updated!

[Greycloud]

Kali, sounds like an abcess of some sort. He may have gotten bit by another bird and an infection started. I would talk with the store owner first, they might not even be aware of the situation. The bird could also already be on meds. Check it out. It's good of you to try to help this poor guy.

[Ashling]

I thought it was an abscess too. Very strange.

[chinniechantel]

Do you have an animal control type group? They are the one to contact if so.

[kali]

I spoke to the guy who worked there and he 'seemed' concerned, but tried to play it down to me. (not gonna work on a bird-person) He was even reluctant to touch the bird so close to his beak! He said that they should get him to the vet, and pointed out the one 3 doors down he "thinks they are called an avian vet" (like i didn't know.. duh!) I have heard horror stories about this place in the past, they are not even 5 mins from the place i used to work. My plan is to call the vet this morning and let him know what i think it might be and that it needs medical attention.

I am completely sure that the store owners did not know about the condition as the guy had to go and ask the boss about the bird for me. The only info i got was that his name was Cookie, about 3-4 years old and he was $900. No mention of meds or the 'abcess' i found out that on my own!

The bird was so friendly he let me look pretty close and i pulled back the feathers and everything. I couldn't see a sore, or hole or anything so if it was a bite form another bird it had definitely healed. It didn't cause him pain that i could see, but remember birds are very good a hiding things like that!

My heart goes out to this little guy. I want to give him a good home and i pushed for a discount on him. Honestly, i got paid yest and if they had got him down to $600 i would have taken him in an instant! (even though it would not have been particularly smart of me)

This store is disgusting and makes me sick. We only went in there so mel could see the pretty macaws! I am going to work on a plan of attack to bring them down. We'll write something up, maybe send it to them first and see if there is a reply, or a change in the way they do things then good. If not, report it to the RSPCA or the police.

[Greycloud]

I wonder if it is a sinus infection and it is backed up in there. I wouldn't count on the vet doing anything without the place themselves actually contacting them. Hopefully if you stay on them you can get the poor thing proper medical treatment. Good luck and keep us posted.

[kali]

So i called the vet today and told them about the bird. I said i knew that was their regular vet and if they weren't contacted about the bird, could they call them? The way i see it, if they have a good relationship with their vet then of course they wouldn't mind checking up on it.

So then i rang the store after lunch and spoke to the owner. He's apparently 'connected' with people high up in the RSPCA, so trying to get them to do anything about it would be hard. Police are a much more likely bet.

So anyway, the young guy didn't even tell the owner about the lump!! He sounded concerned but i dunno.. He took my number and is gonna call me when he fnds out what the deal is.

So, I guess it's just wait and see from here?

[Greycloud]

Good for you, looking after the concerns of this poor bird. If he said he would contact you, he probably will, being that you know where to find him. Hope it works.

[kali]

If you had seen him, you would be worried to. He was such a little sweetheart! If i could give him a home i totally would...