Mojo's tail ...

[Deanna]

I came home from work to find a huge gaping swath of feathers missing from Mojo’s tail. There is no blood and he is acting, in all respects, normal. Previously, when he had Acute Kidney Disorder (and whether there was a correlation between the two or not we never found out) he kept falling off his toys and perch and busting his tail up fairly badly. These feathers, though, do not look broken or bent—they appear to have been torn or pulled out with the down still attached.

I’m wondering, now, with great worry, if my clawed cat (who has never shown a propensity toward Mojo) has stuck his paw into Moj’s cage while he was on the bottom papers and ripped a swath out of his tail?? I have one clawed cat (who seems disinterested in the birds completely—except for the occasion when Timothy perks his interest just slightly—but that is small, fast movement) and two declawed cats. The smaller of the declawed cats is problematic with the birds but is easily disciplined with a water bottle. But, I don’t think her declawed paw could have pulled this amount of feathers/plumage out.

I am perplexed and most definitely have worry now.

 

[Flyte]

I know that my cats don't mess with my birds. If they did go near them, theres no way my birds would present them with their backs (even being VERY used to them) so no way they could get at the tails. Unless your bird gets neurotic and flies around the cage all crazy when the cats come by, I don't see how the cat would be able to grab at the feathers.
Like you said, I can't imagine a declawed cat being able to do it at all, nothing to grab with
Anytime my brats have been missing tail feathers it's been from falls. Especially my Macaw. She isn't quite as acrobatic as she thinks she is.
The feathers don't usually look all broken when they come out prematurely. I've run upstairs after hearing a crash to see like 4 or 5 lovely feathers on the floor and one disgruntled bird climbing back up onto the cage. (For awhile they were spooked when we had a woodpecker issue, so this happened quite a few times)
Whats the cats name? Tell him my cat, Jack, said not to mess with the birds.. they can poo on your head. (it happened!)
I hope you figured out what happened and that little Mojo's tail comes back in full Glory.

 

[Deanna]

Well, we had to drop by the vet to pick up some prescription food for the cats and some Harrison's for the brats (er, I mean, birdies). Caught my doctor and ran the entire scenario by him describing what I had found. He's confident that one of the cats got Mojo's tail.

With no evidence of flesh injury (topical only to the plumage), immediate concern for Moj's health is back in check. As to the HOW of the incident, that is a different story.

Sarah, my clawed cat's name is (given name Sidney) (goes by ...) Fat Boy. He has to this point shown fear of Cecil and Mojo both. Mojo is not afraid of the cats or dogs (doesn't know to be) and rummages on the floor of his cage with his back to the bars quite often. I have a feeling Fat Boy got a wild hair and got his clawed paw in the 1" spacing and sunk his claws into the back hunk of tail feathers pulling them out from the end quills with the down still on them.

When Moj was ill and taking spills from toys and perches on a routine basis, his tail was ravaged, ratty and bent and broken. These feathers appear to be plucked right out of his hind end in one fell swoop.

I've not had worry before now as I never introduce (except by one untimely flight accident which actually scared the living hell out of Fat Boy) the cats and birds in the same room. They are always separated by either cage bars or by an entirely shut door. But, this raises concerns now that I've not dealt with in the past.

 

[Flyte]

Ah. Well I'm completely wrong then, sorry. I just didn't think the cat would be able to get the entire tail like that:/
I guess little Mojo, rummaging along the bottom of the cage, probably with a feather or two sticking out and wiggling just right WOULD be all that any cat needed. Sorry don't know where my brain is. I should really know better by now since they all act different.

 

[Deanna]

Ah. Well I'm completely wrong then, sorry. I just didn't think the cat would be able to get the entire tail like that:/
I guess little Mojo, rummaging along the bottom of the cage, probably with a feather or two sticking out and wiggling just right WOULD be all that any cat needed. Sorry don't know where my brain is. I should really know better by now since they all act different.

Oh no, Sarah, no sorries and you aren't entirely wrong ... just a different scenario I think. Mojo does tend to stick his tail out through the bars when he is after that stray almond or peanut at the bottom of his cage ... he doesn't have the fear of the dogs and cats that I would like him to have ::: actually, I should rephrase that, he doesn't have a healthy respect for them, but he would have no reason to really as there have been no confrontations (none allowed thus far) (except the time that Mojo took flight and used Fat Boy as a landing pad--Fat Boy wet himself and turned inside out trying to get away!).

You are entirely correct though that a feather or two exposed through the cage bars, twitching and moving is all it would take to engage a cats instinctual nature.

 

[Deanna]

Also, one other possibility which I really don't think holds true but may: he plucked them himself. But, usually you have a little more tattering when a bird plucks ... plus, it is in a "swath" (about 1-1/2" - 2" span).

Whatever occurred is baffling ... especially since Fat Boy has shown no propensity toward this end. But, again, animals have innate animal instincts and they can be triggered by the smallest of movements or actions.

 

[Peta]

Deanna, I'm sure Moj tail will soon grow back

Have you given Moj a quick wash down, I would do that, just so that he hasn't got any dirt from cats claws, and have a quick check to see that there is no open wound. (even the smallest one)

You give Moj a huge big hug from me, and tell the little kitty that I'll send my monster over if he doesn't behave himself. She can stop an elephant with one look, shes pure EVIL. That will sort him out for ya.

Keep us informed on how Mojo is doing.

 

[Keupi]

Hi - new here!

How old is Mojo? Is he of 'hormone' age? Also, since his episode with Acute Kidney Disease has he experienced normal feather growth/molting?

It is quite possible that one of the cats took a swipe, but it also could be something hormonal. He may be 'at' that area more during the time of 'surges and urges' (as I call them) and that's more the nature of the fid than an outside concern.

New here - but I'd keep an eye on that track and note it in memory for the displays.

 

[Deanna]

Well, Moj is doing just fine (half bare butt, but fine nonetheless)! LOL

I spritzed (drenched) him down with warm tap water (out of a spritzer bottle) then spritzed with the AviRain. (I'm not seeing any apparent scratches or lesions). Getting him under a faucet would be hazardous to my fingers ... he likes the shower, but today was so hectic, I just couldn't find the time to get him in there. Tomorrow, I'll bring him in the shower with me and soak him down. He loves taking his showers ... he dances and prances.

I meant to mention that when he does get to the bottom of his cage with his tail sticking out and I am present (I'm a bit ornery), I usually try to sneak up on him and tickle his butt. He frowns upon this, of course.

 

[Deanna]

Hi - new here!

How old is Mojo? Is he of 'hormone' age? Also, since his episode with Acute Kidney Disease has he experienced normal feather growth/molting?

It is quite possible that one of the cats took a swipe, but it also could be something hormonal. He may be 'at' that area more during the time of 'surges and urges' (as I call them) and that's more the nature of the fid than an outside concern.

New here - but I'd keep an eye on that track and note it in memory for the displays.

Nice to meet you Keupi and Welcome To The Forum!

Moj is a year and a half. After recovering from the Acute Kidney Disorder, his plumage came back brilliantly--every feather intack (and I allowed him to go flighted) and coloring was as brilliant as it should have been.

I think he is too young as of yet to be experiencing "surges and urges" LOL.

I didn't follow the last sentence you wrote ... ? Sorry.

 

[Keupi]

Hi Deanna!

Baby Mojo!! How fid-lightful!!

What I meant by my last sentence was that based on the thread, last year at the same time, he lost his tail feathers as well. It could be something seasonal that's not related to his infection nor the cats. Note it in memory because it could just be normalcy to Mojo. That's all!!

 

[Deanna]

Hi Deanna!

Baby Mojo!! How fid-lightful!!

What I meant by my last sentence was that based on the thread, last year at the same time, he lost his tail feathers as well. It could be something seasonal that's not related to his infection nor the cats. Note it in memory because it could just be normalcy to Mojo. That's all!!

ah ha! that's what ya meant! LOL sorry, I must have been having a "duh-moment"! LMAO.

 

[Keupi]

LOL - don't we all??

Fun in Fid-dumb... I mean Fid-dom!

Though, I love the phrase - whack me upside with a wing!

 

[Peta]

I meant to mention that when he does get to the bottom of his cage with his tail sticking out and I am present (I'm a bit ornery), I usually try to sneak up on him and tickle his butt. He frowns upon this, of course.

Ah ha, so your the reason that the cat did this, he just thought he was gonna tickle the fids butt. You really shouldn't teach your kitty tricks like this.

whack me upside with a wing

Oh I have two guys here who are able to do this with great ease and satisfaction. (We call it the wing slap) Had one or two of these myself