biting feet !

[babybirdie]

Guys!
echo has been obsessed with his feet lately. He keeps scratching and biting his feet t the point they are starting to bleed. Is there anything i can put on his feet to deter him from doing this ?

 

[Sterling1113]

Might want to get him checked, could be a parasite or infection that's bugging him Unfortunately I don't have any advice to give. Best of luck

 

[Betrisher]

I'd definitely say a vet visit is in order. I hope it is a parasite or skin disorder, because my first thought was self-mutilation. Once those sorts of habits become ingrained, they're really, really hard to sort out!

If the feet feel dry, you could dab on a bit of cooking oil and smear it over Echo's feet to see if that improves things. I don't think a tiny smear of oil will hurt him and it might give him some relief. DO NOT use human medicines or ointments on him, as you don't know what effect seemingly harmless things like lanolin could do to a birdie.

If you think it's more a behavioural thing, you could test Echo by swapping his toys out and replacing them with a few new and interesting chew toys (eg. bits of wood, cardboard packaging, plastic bottletops - anything that's new or different to him so he'll be engaged with it for a while). If the biting improves, that would imply he's bored.

I'd still visit the vet, though, because if the feet have been bleeding you'll want them checked for infection. Please do let us know how you get on! We can't be having a noble Alexandrine in trouble, now can we? Barney and Madge send soothing cheeps to Echo and hope he feels better soon!

 

[babybirdie]

I'd definitely say a vet visit is in order. I hope it is a parasite or skin disorder, because my first thought was self-mutilation. Once those sorts of habits become ingrained, they're really, really hard to sort out!

If the feet feel dry, you could dab on a bit of cooking oil and smear it over Echo's feet to see if that improves things. I don't think a tiny smear of oil will hurt him and it might give him some relief. DO NOT use human medicines or ointments on him, as you don't know what effect seemingly harmless things like lanolin could do to a birdie.

If you think it's more a behavioural thing, you could test Echo by swapping his toys out and replacing them with a few new and interesting chew toys (eg. bits of wood, cardboard packaging, plastic bottletops - anything that's new or different to him so he'll be engaged with it for a while). If the biting improves, that would imply he's bored.

I'd still visit the vet, though, because if the feet have been bleeding you'll want them checked for infection. Please do let us know how you get on! We can't be having a noble Alexandrine in trouble, now can we? Barney and Madge send soothing cheeps to Echo and hope he feels better soon!

Hi!
Thank you so much. Actually, his feet his is very dry and i think thats why he keeps picking at it. I know that there is some type of oil that's safe for bird but i just dont remember the name. I emailed the vet today, asking him and if he recommends that i bring him in then i deff will.!

 

[Mango121913]

Try PURE aloe vera. I have a plant I have been using to spray Mango's body with to help with the moulting process. He probably would love a bath an then apply it to his feet.
Good luck!

 

[BillsBirds]

Mineral oil was advised by my Avian Vet for my Parrotlets dry feet. Also, I know everyone thinks seeds are no good, but, they have fats & oils that all living things need. My wife went overboard after reading an article on fatty liver, and removed all the sunflower seeds from his diet. I disagreed, and the vet agreed with me. SOME, not lots, are healthy for birds. After the oil treatment, and addition of sunflowers seeds, my Parrotlets feet are fine and have been for a long time, now.