bleeding at the beak

[sparkysmom]

Hi everyone I never post mostly just read./ However I am a little scared right now and need some feedback. This a.m. in the shower I noticed my grey, Zappy, was bleeding slightly where the beak and skin meet each other. It is not bleeding profusely but slightly is scary enough.

I don't know what to do. Emergency vet call is mega bucks....of course I am not byond helping my Z bird like that but if I can possibly hold off?? for normal vet hours on Monday.....would be better for my pocket. However I am not looking to compromise his health or put him in danger.

Last night I got up to get some water and he got a night fright and fell to the bottom of the cage. I went and checked on him and he climbed back to his perch. So this is how I think it happened. Maybe a piece of the beak part that kinda gets peeling shoved up in there??? I don't know....

I know this board cannot substitute for a trip to vet but just looking to hear thoughts.....

Am I over reacting?

[Winged_Victory]

Originally Posted by sparkysmom

I know this board cannot substitute for a trip to vet but just looking to hear thoughts.....

Am I over reacting?

Hi, take a look at the injury and see if it is a puncture wound or the beak has separated from the skin. Is the blood cloting? Will it stop with pressure from a clean cloth or gauze. It is very difficult to try and help without seeing the wound. Are you talking upper or lower beaK? Exactly where is the injury? Give us more information and we may be able to help. If this injury is beyond minor emergency care you will have to see your vet.

[sparkysmom]

okay I am freaking out and a little scattered. Sorry for not being more clear on this.

The wound is on the side of the lower beak right where that super soft skin joins the beak. It is a little swollen/ I do not see a puncture wound at all. But the swollen skin may be covering something ...... it is slightly swollen not huge. As of now the bleeding has ceased. It wasn't exactly bleeding profusely. Just enough to red the feathers and skin around there. He is playing right now. He keeps looking at me like I am nuts because I keep going in there and looking at him.

Also I did called my vet's office (which I just found out through your guys' certified avian list that she ISN'T!!!!) It was closed anyway and the number referred me to the emergency animal center. The vet on call told me they don't treat birds but talked to me anyway and seemed to believe that he could make it to Monday for regular vet. I am worried worried worried.....

But he is playing with his new toy.

Thank you so much for any help or words I am beside myself.

[sparkysmom]

It may be a tear now that I really look.

Is that a common thing.......maybe I don't mean common but something like 'not entirely unusual'. Maybe it tore when he fell off his perch last night?

I have never had a full on bird emergency in 6 years of having birds around so I am not knowing if I am over reacting.

[Lisa B]

most likely it is from when he fell off his perch last night.
can you take a picture and post it? I have had similar things happen to my greys, and all was allright.
So , relax, deep breaths, and keep an eye on him. Where are you located, and I will do a search for vets in your area.
You are talking lower mandible, where the beak meets the skin, he has what humans would consider a road rash of sorts, or like when a kid skins his knees.

Is he eating food alright?

[Winged_Victory]

If it was my bird, I would use Betadine to clean the wound, then smear Penetran on the area of injury. My second choice would be aloe or aloe-jel if you have some. We keep aloe plants in our home for cuts and scrapes, aloe has great healing properties.

If it is a small cut or scrape the bird should be fine in a couple of days. Monitor your bird for signs of infection!

Please keep us updated.

[Winged_Victory]

Missed your post on the tear!

If it is a tear how long is it? A large tear may need surgical glue, something the vet should do.

Yes, please relax!

[sparkysmom]

Hi thank you for your posts. I wish I could post a pic but I don't have a digital camera......and I am very unsavvy about technology. But thankfully I can navigate through here.

We live in Eureka, California. It is rather isolated here. The list I read on here showed the nearest certified avian vet to be 4 hours away, in Petaluma!!!

But the idea of a scraped knee calms me a little. I get upset pretty easily and I could feel things getting away from me as my mind started to freak.

He is eating just fine. He is such a funny feather face.....you should see how he keeps looking at me.....it's like what?? What? WHAT????

Thank you

[sparkysmom]

Oh Cool ty! I will do some doctoring with aloe.....I have a couple plants. The area looks to be somewhere in the range of an 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch. It is hard to tell exactly because of the swelling issue.

Okay I am going to go and clean him up. I will report back.

yes, deep breaths I am relaxing........

[GreetingCardReligion]

Poor baby!

At our vet check the other day our vet mentioned that they can bleed from the beak/mouth if they get too low on Vitamin A?

Good luck, I'm rooting for you and the little guy and I'll keep you in my thoughts and check back in on him here! Sorry I'm not more use but prayers can always help, right?