Plucking Quaker & Pics

[Samm]

My Quaker has just started plucking herself! She got a bath on Tuesday and she was OK then, now tonight I was playing with her, and found she'd been plucking under her wings. She has all the feathers pilled and theres little holes where she's chewed. Is there anything I can do to prevent this? She's always been reall sweet, and isn't under any stress, she's hardly ever closed up in her cage, (only at night when she sleeps) and theres nothing I can think of that would cause her to do this.
My real concern is, what to do about the holes she's chewing in herself? They aren't open and bleeding, rather just chewed and dry sores, like.
I was seeking your advice BEFORE taking her to the AV.
Thanks

[The Outlaw]

Samm:

I know exactly how you feel. Its awful when you discover your bird plucking, especially when you haven't the foggiest idea of why.

As you may recall, my Ekkie has once again started plucking her feathers. This is the third September and I know hers in hormonal. I immediately put a feather sweater on her and she was very upset about that. I have some Avicalm and Featherin that I purchased from Avitech. I added both to her food and water.

Its the 4th day of my administering these supplements, and I removed her vest and showered her today. As of this evening, she hasn't removed any more feathers. Who knows what I'll find in the morning? The first day, I counted 40 body feathers under her perch.

I can only suggest you carefully go over her diet, location, shower her daily, and spend more time with her to help distract her. And, you might want to try those supplements. I think they disrupt Mai Tai's hormonal behaviour, and that's a good thing.

You can purchase them online at www.avitec.com. Mary didn't have as good an outcome with her birds. I may just have gotten lucky.

[Samm]

Here are some pictures I took a few minutes ago, so you can see what she's doing. She's let up on it so far tonight, I gave her a honey stick to chew on, I thought maybe it would take her mind off it. I'm gonna try the vet tomorrow morning, although Dr. Jason won't be there, I may get to see a vet tech.

[TooLover]

Oh Samm, I am so sorry. If only they could tell us what the problem was and we could fix it instantly. I wish you luck - please keep us updated!

[Tiki]

Samm asked me to change the title so it will attract more responses from people who have useful advice.

Poor little girl! Give her a smooch from Auntie Tiki and Cousin Chaska! I wish I had more advice. I had a plucking tiel last year-Taina. The AV gave her Seronase and it calmed her down and she eventually stopped. He ran every test in the book but no medical reason for it, he thinks it was because she was frustrated at not being allowed to breed.

[kensbuns]

Samm
I am sooo sorry to hear that your quaker is plucking. By the looks of the pics you may have something bacterial going on there. I say see the vet for sure!!!

[CKD]

Oh I feel so sorry for her. Please let us know what the vet says. Do you think she may be becoming of age if ya know what I mean ?

[The Outlaw]

Samm:

I do think you may also have a bactieria infection from the look of the redness. None of my birds has ever had unhealthy skin. In the meantime, I'd get some neosporin cream (not the ointment) and apply it.

[Samm]

Thanks Nancy
I'll get the neosporin first thing in the morning...wouldn't you know, I have the ointment here.....I wasn't sure if I could put Neosporin on her, I wasn't sure if it would make her sick from eating it. That was one of my questions for the vet, thanks for clarifying that.

[The Outlaw]

Samm:

It is my understanding that ointments are usually oil based, and often petroleum oil based. That's why the cream is preferred and also is absorbed better.