B&G Macaw Blood Feather Question

[Ohnichole76]

My macaw Simon had broken mature flight wing feather yesterday & we took him to our local bird store where a very experienced bird handler and store owner removed the blood feather for us. We did not realize that was what it was we jut told her that it was bleeding and she wanted us to bring him in. She told us to bring him back the next day just to look at it to make sure he was doing better. We took him back today and the whole socket had not been completely removed and had backed up in two other mature flight wing feathers. The other lady that was in today she immediatley brought him in the back and removed the other two feathers where the bllod had backed up and removed the original socket from the other, applied pressure, and filled the open ends with an anitbiotic. He was not bleeding and still is not bleeding but the area is really swollen still. I cannot tell if he is in pain or anything but he is kind of shaky on his perch. My question is: Is there anyway to tell if your macaw is not feeling well or running a fever? Or are there signs that something is wrong with your macaw if there is any blood feather left that was not removed? Thanks any input or advise would be very helpful...[/FONT]

[TikusMom]

Hi there!
I would suggest going ahead and getting Simon to an avian savvy veterinarian as soon as you possibly can. Open wounds in birds is nothing to mess with...especially if the area is becoming swollen. Infections can really take your bird down hill fast, and birds...bless their little hearts...like to hide sickness/pain until it's to the point that they can no longer hide it. Better safe than sorry!
Hope this helps!

[mgriffiths1984]

I totaly agree get him to a vet asap ud be devestated if something bad was to happen and you could have done something about it!!!

[kellywess]

When a blood feather is pulled, it is normal for the area to swell up. The main thing is to make sure that the socket closes and there is no bleeding. If it starts to bleed, you will need to "towel" your bird and apply pressure. Keep some corn starch handy. Do not use styptic powder as it will burn the skin. May I ask where you are located?