green amazon parrot biting its own feet; bleeding!

[racinghart]

okay... i have this amazon parrot... healthy during summers and it seems to be a seasonal thing... before i consult with a vet was wondering if anyone has had this happen... he tends to bite his feet and it bleeds all over the perches... i have taken a smaller bird a few years ago to the vet and he prescribed some kind of ointment but the bird died before we could tell if it was working.

is this common? why is our parrot biting his own feet and causing it to bleed?

i will do a major cleaning of his perches and cage when one of us takes him to see the vet but still, whats happening here?

 

[NicoleN]

I could only find one thing on this. Could it possibly be mites or just really dry skin? A way to check for mites is to cover the cage with a white sheet at night, and if there are little red dots on the cage the next morning, then you have mites. Of course it's not 100% accurate, so it's always best to check with your avian vet.

I found a person on another forum with a similar problem with their African Grey. It was recommended that they put Aloe on the birds feet. Personally, I don't know if I'd do this, as birds are so delicate that I would never self-diagnose my bird. On the flip side, aloe is a bird safe plant, so it might be safe. Of course if it were processed aloe, then there might be some unsafe chemicals in it. Can you tell I'm indecisive?

One thing I can definitely decide on is that it's best to check with your avian vet on what could be wrong & how to fix it.

 

[Peta]

WELCOME TO PARROT FORUMS​

Bucc has been known to bite his feet, but not to the extent of making them bleed. I wouldn't put anything on your birds feet until you have seen a Vet.

I think I would spray the feet with water just until you are able to get an appointment, no this won't help clear it up but it might just help relieve whatever is causing him to bite like this.

 

[TexDot33]

... aloe is a bird safe plant, so it might be safe. Of course if it were processed aloe, then there might be some unsafe chemicals in it...

If you cut the leaf of an aloe plant and use the pure aloe that you get it IS safe for your birdie. I have seen this suggested on other forums for dry/irritated skin. I have also seen it as a suggestion for a rather hard molt. DO NOT BUY ALOE OFF THE SHELF AT THE STORE AND USE IT ON YOUR BIRD ... THIS IS NOT SAFE!

It is always best to check with your avian vet for health care concerns, that's what they are there for. But aloe is not an unheard of possibility, but only if it's 110% pure ... AKA right from the plant!

~ Tex

 

[Peta]

When Gemini was plucking really bad while having a molt, the vet gave us Aloe to bath him, it does help with dry skin but doesn't cure the bird, Gemini is back to plucking again.

 

[2ndNoah]

Actually, I've just returned from visiting an avian Vet because my 2 y/o CAG has begun picking at his feet AGAIN...did so for 1st time about a year ago...we fee it's psychological bec all lab tests are neg. Long story short, he recommended using pure aloe from a plant on the bird's feet...I believe that my bird was frightened a couple of days ago, and is NOW biting because his feet hurt. We're going to give the aloe a try for 10 days. Hope that this helps.

 

[Peta]

Welcome to you 2ndNoah, hope we get to see some pics of your flock soon.

Racingheart how is you zon getting on now.

 

[Redballoon]

I was told by my vet to watch out for a tiny (almost invisible) mite that can live in the cracks of birds leathery feet. You can paint on an antiseptic or you can paint on a potion from the vet tastes foul to the birds if its just a habit thing.
I have not read this whole thread, so if this has been mentioned before, ignore this post. Shutting up now.

 

[iluvsamba]

mine do toom

 

[Deanna]

Welcome racinghart! The one thing that popped out at me when I read your post was that you said it is seasonal and in the Summer your fid is healthy.

As has been said, avian veterinary medicine is the way to go for all vet concerns.

But, it did make me wonder about dry, cold air in Winter possibly causing this?

From about April/May through the first freeze in about October, my hands look 'normal' ... as soon as the first freeze of the season hits, my hands dry up severely and crack and bleed, with big gashes.

Best of luck in your search for an answer. But welcome and we'd love to see pics!

 

[Peta]

as soon as the first freeze of the season hits, my hands dry up severely and crack and bleed, with big gashes.

Both Jemma and Andi have this same thing. They are now using an oil called "Oilatum" they also do a soap etc. Not sure if you can get that there but it really helps their hands and feet.

 

[Flyte]

Do the scales on his feet look any different? As Redballoon said, could be scaly leg mites which the vet would probably be able to see if he took a foot scraping. (which would be a good idea) The mites push the scales up and make them grow outward, almost like a growth on the feet. This might not be too visible yet if they have just started, I would think.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaly_leg
When my chickens got mites I covered their feet with vasoline every morning and evening, to suffocate the bugs. Worked well and they got nice silky smooth legs. Amused me endlessly to say 'be right back, gotta go lube my chickens!' :04:
You would also need to find a way to clean the surrounding areas, it was easy for me, I just spread diatinatious earth around the coop and on the walls. I got the kind that is safe for ingestion but I still kicked the chickens out of the coop for the entire day.. you obviously can't do that. Maybe the vet would be able to suggest something safer.
Just a thought, of course check with your vet first.
Good luck!!

 

[TexDot33]

From about April/May through the first freeze in about October, my hands look 'normal' ... as soon as the first freeze of the season hits, my hands dry up severely and crack and bleed, with big gashes..

I, too, have this exact same issue ... but even right now I have two small cracks that are an annoyance, they aren't bleeding (read: yet) but I am sure this winter will be hell ...


Deanna what do you do about it ... I have tried everything (sleeping with cotton gloves on, sleeping with latex gloves filled with vasaline ... wearing non-leather gloves in the winter (and I am sure that your winters are just as bad as ours here in New England) any helpful advice?

 

[Peta]

Can you get Oilatum over there?

Honestly its the only thing that works for Jemma and Andi, and theirs are really bad, even in the summer.

 

[pheobus]

I, too, have this exact same issue ...

Hmmm, looks like we are a lot! I have the same problem as well, which can get really bad If I don't take care of it early..Well I use a good hand cream for moisturization before I go out in the morning and before I go to bed always, I mean during the winter, I don't have a problem the rest of the year...

 

[Keupi]

Am new here, but are you using sunscreen or bug spray? Have you been in contact with citronella candles? Even though we may shower it off, there's residue as those lotions leave a 'residue' of protection... especially those that are waterproof... those can take a few showers to completely remove.

Here's a 'bug-avoidal' tip for the outdoor summer days/nights - put a sheet of Bounce in your pocket/on your shoestrings/on your brastrap/etc.

It could be the residue that's affecting their feet. Especially if multiple family members (especially kids with 'ultra block' sunscreen) handle your fids.

 

[TexDot33]

Here's a 'bug-avoidal' tip for the outdoor summer days/nights - put a sheet of Bounce in your pocket/on your shoestrings/on your brastrap/etc ...

I play baseball and have, on occasion, tucked a dryer sheet of my choosing into the fold on the inside of my hat ... works like a charm!

 

[Peta]

I'll be trying that one, never heard of it before.

 

[TexDot33]

This one really only works well if you are active and producing a lot of body heat, that way the "smell" from the dryer sheet will be stronger and more effective against the nasties in the air ... if you aren't producing a lot of body heat I am not sure how well it will work.

 

[Peta]

Are you saying I'm not active


(hehehe you know me so well.) Apart from running all over with the kids, fids and husband.