Broken Blood Feather - HELP

[Violet_Diva]

Gerry has broken a bloodfeather. It was the only long one on that side so I think he just managed to break it on the bars of his cage or something.

It's broken pretty much right at the base and is twisted and hanging. Should I try to snip the feather shorter to try to help stop it snagging on things. There's a bloody gloopy lump at the base, so I think it's clotting by itself, it doesn't look like it's actively bleeding out.

It's late and I can't see the avian vet until tomorrow.

Is it safe to snip some of the length off to stop it catching on things? Or will it start bleeding from there?

 

[GaleriaGila]

Oh, my goodness!
I am hoping somebody with more medical experience comes along, but meanwhile...
I say...
Hold your breath and just keep him quiet until you get to the vet.
Do you have a styptic compound? If so, keep it handy.
As opposed to snipping, which would just re-open the conduit... I have heard advice to pluck that feather and then be ready with styptic.
Experienced veterinary folks, help us!

 

[Violet_Diva]

Oh, my goodness!
I am hoping somebody with more medical experience comes along, but meanwhile...
I say...
Hold your breath and just keep him quiet until you get to the vet.
Do you have a styptic compound? If so, keep it handy.
As opposed to snipping, which would just re-open the conduit... I have heard advice to pluck that feather and then be ready with styptic.
Experienced veterinary folks, help us!

Thanks Gale. I've basically been sat staring at him non stop. It hasn't changed at all during this time. It's almost his bedtime now. So I'm going to stay with him until he's asleep and then get him to the vet first thing in the morning. The only thing that could change his current status is if that feather gets snagged on something and starts it bleeding, hence my desire to snip it shorter. But I don't want to risk making him bleed from there if that's a possibility. I spoke to the emergency vet (who's not trained in exotics) so I had to wait for her to ring my avian vet and then ring me back. They basically said, if it's not actively bleeding, leave it alone and bring him in once they're open tomorrow...

I've not had a very good couple of days
I've gotta say, I'm feeling like a terrible mum at the mo.

 

[GaleriaGila]

You hush, Ms. Diva. You're a great mum! Stuff happens, but you are always right on TOP of stuff with your vet!
*hugzszszszs*

 

[Violet_Diva]

You hush, Ms. Diva. You're a great mum! Stuff happens, but you are always right on TOP of stuff with your vet!
*hugzszszszs*

I definitely needed that hug!!! <3

 

[SailBoat]

If it is not bleeding leave it alone!

Never cut a blood feather unless you have the needed support kit to quickly stop the bleeding! At the very least, you should alway have on-hand styptic compound.

Near the very end of the huge Thread in the Amazon Forum (I Love Amazons - ...) is a Segment that provides a very detail (and very large) Avian First Aid, Emergency Medical Kit. Understand, that I am not demanding that anyone have everything that is listed, but should strongly consider having at least the basics.

Keep close taps on your sweetheart over-night and process tomorrow with Avian Medical support.

Very sorry to hear that you are faced with such a scary occurrence.

 

[Violet_Diva]

If it is not bleeding leave it alone!

Never cut a blood feather unless you have the needed support kit to quickly stop the bleeding! At the very least, you should alway have on-hand styptic compound.

Near the very end of the huge Thread in the Amazon Forum (I Love Amazons - ...) is a Segment that provides a very detail (and very large) Avian First Aid, Emergency Medical Kit. Understand, that I am not demanding that anyone have everything that is listed, but should strongly consider having at least the basics.

Keep close taps on your sweetheart over-night and process tomorrow with Avian Medical support.

Very sorry to hear that you are faced with such a scary occurrence.

Thanks Sailboat. I have some supplies, but was mainly concerned by the dangling of the feather and it getting snagged and didn't know if there was anything I could do about it.

Gerry is asleep now, so hopefully he will stay put until morning when the vets are open and they can decide the fate of that dangling feather...

 

[Violet_Diva]

On his other wing he has a small group of 3 or 4 blood feathers together, which I think has helped them keep safe (strength in numbers). That lonesome feather had no accompanying feathers to help protect it which I think may have been it's downfall.

I think it's time for me to upgrade Gerry's cage (he's still in the wee one he came with on 3rd December) I think him having more space could help prevent other blood feathers meeting a similar end...

 

[SilverSage]

Never cut a blood feather! If you can’t leave it alone, then get someone to help you securely restrain him and use needle nose pliers to grasp it firmly at the base and pluck it.


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[Violet_Diva]

Never cut a blood feather! If you can’t leave it alone, then get someone to help you securely restrain him and use needle nose pliers to grasp it firmly at the base and pluck it.


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Thanks SilverSage. I'll definitely be letting the vet do that. It's clotted and not actively bleeding and as it's gone midnight and little Gerry is sleeping, I think he will be ok until morning. I'm just lucky that it stopped bleeding on its own pretty quickly.

 

[SilverSage]

Perfect. It’s scary, but usually not dangerous as long as it stops bleeding


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[Violet_Diva]

Perfect. It’s scary, but usually not dangerous as long as it stops bleeding


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I've never seen a broken blood feather until now. This might sound dumb, but if it was actively bleeding - would it be very obvious? I mean, would it be like a tiny tap running or would it drip?
There wasn't any blood on the paper at the bottom of the cage, just the big gloopy blood clot at the base where the feather is broken.

 

[SilverSage]

Its not dumb to ask.

You would see it still oozing. Usually if left alone and not stressed it will clot. You still need to take him to have it pulled if you aren’t able to do it yourself, or it will keep breaking open.


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[Violet_Diva]

Gerry will be at the vets first thing tomorrow! I'm lucky that the vets are only about 10/15 mins away.

Thanks again for all the advice

 

[Violet_Diva]

Just spoke to the emergency vet again (before the practice is open) and it turns out it's just her in today and that the avian vet isn't in until Tuesday!!!

Do I wait until Tuesday? Am I ok just using corn starch until then if it bleeds again?

 

[Sarge]

I’ve learned a lot with capt flapjack.
If it’s bleeding pull it.
Restrain them in a towel and trap the culprit feather with either needle nose or some forceps and pull. Get as close to the base as you can. Forceps can be found many places. I’m a fisherman so fishing section for me.
If you can get it to stop bleeding (I use corn starch) then leave it alone. The blood vessel will shrivel up and maybe continue growing I haven’t gotten that far on the shriveled feather.
Or wait until Tuesday in your case.
Best of luck
Sarge and Jack

 

[WakaWaka]

We are sorry to hear about your recent bout with bad luck !

I would second the advice from Sarge. But only you can make the call if you are satisfied that the bleeding has stopped or you need to go further and pull the feather.
There are some videos on YouTube about broken blood feathers and how to deal with them.

Is there another CAV close enough that you would feel comfortable with? Perhaps that is another option.
I seem to remember one of the mods posting a link to a search for specific vets in your area.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your flock.

Kelly, Karl, and Arika

 

[Violet_Diva]

The blood clot is completely dry (almost black) and the feather seems to be holding in a slightly better position (less droopy). I hardly slept, I kept creeping in and checking the paper for blood at the bottom of the cage through the night and morning (as did my partner).

I'm just going to remain vigilant until I can see the avian vet, I'll apply corn starch if it bleeds again.

Thank-you to everyone who gave both support and advice so far x

 

[Kentuckienne]

It's not anything I have needed to deal with, so all I know is what I read. Feathers are hollow, and new ones have an active blood vessel attached. When the feather is grown, the blood vessel closes off. If a growing feather breaks, the hollow shaft is so large often the blood can't clot properly and the bird can bleed out through the feather. Pulling the feather makes it easier for the blood to clot.

Most recommendations I see are to pull a bleeding feather, because it could start bleeding again. Directions are to towel or otherwise restrain the patient, grasp the feather near the base with needle nose pliers or locking forceps if you have them, use the other hand to stabilize the bird's body at the base of the feather, then pull it right out. Put pressure on the spot until you are sure it isn't bleeding any more. Don't use styptic powder here, but you can use cornstarch or flour to help stop bleeding. Having a second person to help is a big advantage here.

Since the feather is dangling, it might be easy for it to get caught and break again. I wonder ... has anyone ever tried using superglue to fix these? There is a technique called imping that's use in falconry. When a falcon breaks a flight feather, you find a matching feather from the shed ones you've saved, cut both feathers at corresponding locations, then use a tiny balsa stick glued inside both shafts to attach the replacement shaft. Obviously this is a talent gained after practice, but I wonder if it would be possible to just glue the feather at the break so no more blood could come out and to keep it stable. THIS IS NOT ANYTHING I HAVE EVER SEEN DONE SO DON'T TAKE THAT AS ADVICE! Just asking in case it is a thing and not a wild-ass guess.

Here are some links.
Plainfield Animal Hospital :: Blood Feathers

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=15+1912&aid=2691

https://www.drsfostersmith.com/Articles/bird_commoninjuries.cfm

 

[wrench13]

Whoa, I just saw this thread. All stuff I've read say to pull it out,same as everyone else is saying. I've never had to do it, but I imagine it will take 2 people to doit.Hope Gerry's visit tomorrow turns out OK.