blood in tail feather shafts? very sore looking.

[Pim]

Hi,

My conure came from a bad home and has never been good at growing feathers, she is starting another molt again but is still yet to shed her tail from when she was a baby and it is very damage; stress bars, chunks missing, only 4-5 feathers etc. I noticed she was grooming her tail a LOT lately so I checked it out, and it looks very sore and the shafts seem to have blood inside or on them - it doesn't look like blood feathers tho, especially since they weren't like this before and they are old feathers. Could it be because they are so damaged and she keeps causing trauma to them or could it be another reason? She squeeked when we touched them like it hurt so I am a bit worried.

Here are some photos, they are a bit bright but the best I could get, the photos don't show quite as much blood as there really is and it is in each tail feather shaft. Also I have noticed that her regular feathers seem to be quite strange when growing as pin feathers. My other conure grows feathers fine, but this conure seems to grow globby, dark bloody, short pin feathers that get plucked out VERY easily, just by brushing past one or gently touching it for example, then a small tiny hole is left where the feather was. Is this cause of concern?

 

[Pedro]

I am assuming it's top of tail. I can't be sure but i suspect an infected oil gland.
A trip to your Vet will shed some light on it.

 

[Pim]

Problem is that our only avian vet is 3 hours away AND... just went on maternity leave. The new one isn't in til next week...

Really needing some more opinions on it... I googled infected oil gland but he doesn't have any blood on his feathers, just inside the feather it's self and yes, it is the top of the tail.

Here is another pic.

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

Hi,

conure seems to grow globby, dark bloody, short pin feathers that get plucked out VERY easily, just by brushing past one or gently touching it for example, then a small tiny hole is left where the feather was. Is this cause of concern?
]

Your images in addition to the above info is indeed cause for concern IMO! If I saw the occur on my GCC's, I would be at the vet tomorrow. I would think this will soon be cause for an emergency room visit.

 

[Pim]

I can't... there are only 2 avian vets in my state, my regular one just went on maternity leave and the one isn't in for another week and the other one chargers $120 just for a CONSULT... last time I went there to get a beak checked out (turned out to be nothing) and a poop test cost me $500!!!! money I just don't have, especially at the moment...

 

[Pedro]

There doesn't seem to be anymore bleeding so maybe just a damaged feather that bled. Clean it up with some warm water & cotton ball. Sometimes when they fall on their tail or get it caught there can be a bit of blood from a damaged feather. Usually nothing to worry about.

That said there are diseases that can cause feather problems. If your not happy with this bird i would take it to a vet when you can.

Feather & Skin Disorders: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

The above link may help.