Plucking recovery question

[BeatriceC]

I've never dealt with a plucker before Charlotte, so I'm flying by the seat of my pants here (with some help from you guys and my vet). She's still plucking some, but not as bad. She does have a fair number of pin feathers coming through, some of which she leaves along, some of which she plucks, but that's not why I'm posting. Yesterday I noticed that she's growing stuff that doesn't look like down or regular feathers. It looks more like hair-like stalks of wheat. Are these a good thing? Do they mean that the follicles are too damaged to grow real feathers? I can't find anything online to tell me what they are, and we don't have an appointment with the vet any time soon, and I'd rather not have to bother him if I don't have to (i.e., somebody here knows what this is).

Here's a picture of what I'm talking about:

 

[SailBoat]

What you are looking at is in fact very much like hair. I have long ago forgotten its name. But seem to recall that they are used to support and position body feathers, like during a full body puff-out. But, like I said, its been a very long time since I nosed into what they are all about. When back in town, I will have to consult my current Avian Med Book, yup old school.

 

[Anansi]

What you are looking at is in fact very much like hair. I have long ago forgotten its name. But seem to recall that they are used to support and position body feathers, like during a full body puff-out. But, like I said, its been a very long time since I nosed into what they are all about. When back in town, I will have to consult my current Avian Med Book, yup old school.

Very interesting, SailBoat! I've never heard of such body feather supports, but it makes perfect sense. I'll be looking forward to hearing what your avian med book turns up on the topic! (Hey, it may be old school, but it gets the job done, eh?) Thanks for sharing!

 

[Anansi]

I think I've found the feather type. It's called a filoplume feather. Here is a link to an illustration that seems to match what we're seeing on Charlotte: Filoplume, 2010 - Nicholas Judson

Here is an example of the most common take I've been able to find on filoplumes: "Filoplumes are very fine, hair-like feathers, with a long shaft, and only a few barbs at their tips. They are located along all the pyterlae. Although their function is not well understood, they are thought to have a sensory function, possibly adjusting the position of the flight feathers in response to air pressure." Bird Feather Types, Anatomy, Molting, Growth, and Color

So if those are indeed filoplumes, as I believe them to be, then their appearance would definitely be a good thing.

 

[SailBoat]

OMG, its so wonderful to know that the gray matter still kind of works. And yes, that is a great sign! Still hope in developing feathers in those areas!

That would make sense if the area we are looking at is near or at the rump and/or where the wing meets the body.

 

[SailBoat]

And as standard, I read the links 'after' I provide the above Post.

I was totally unaware of their presents on the wings. Originally saw them at and near the rump (base of tail feathers) on Amazons that have /are plucking that area.

Recent readings regarding flight imply that the body feathers at and near the shoulders compress on the up-stroke of the wing, which allows a great volume of air above the wing to escape to under the wing increase the volume of air during the compression (lift) stroke.

 

[BeatriceC]

It's her back, right where it meets the tail feathers.

Thank you! I'm getting some hope that she may at least partially re-feather. She is still plucking some (in the picture you can see one recently plucked follicle), but not as much as she was.

 

[SailBoat]

So, very happy to hear that the plucking has eased. Set-backs can and do occur. Sadly, its just part of the process.

Our DYH Amazon is also a Plucker in the same area. We have great weeks and not so great weeks. It is just the way it is!

 

[BeatriceC]

Charlotte is basically naked. Her whole body and a good chunk of her existing wing have been plucked clean. She only has her tail feathers, the feathers she can't reach on her head, and most of the feathers on her wing. She is getting better though, so I have some hope. I live in SoCal, so my biggest concern for the lack of feathers is the intense sun we have. For now I'm only comfortable bringing her outside in the early morning and late evening right before dark because I don't want her to get sunburned.

 

[SailBoat]

Sorry, I didn't realize that the plucking was that extensive. Thank-you, for providing her with a Forever Home!

I can see where exposure to the 'common' bright sunshine you get could be a problem with sunburn. This year was the first in a very long time that we have gotten so very many bright sunny days. Lots of Great White North people and pets with sunburn this year.

We have been using a product called: Soother Topical Spray by: AVI Heal (Heal.com), which we purchase at our Avian Vet's office. We use it more as a relief agent when our Amazon is having a bad day. It is not by any means a cure.

FYI: If and when you get a chance and its is not upsetting to your sweetheart, could you see how common this hair like feather is and where? If it is in anyway a problem or a bother, please do not.

Prayers for you and yours!

 

[Terry57]

Beatrice, don't give up! Did you happen to see Luna's thread? There is always hope
With all the love you have and are giving her, I have high hopes for Charlotte

http://www.parrotforums.com/indian-ringnecks/63414-luna-ongoing-journey.html

 

[BeatriceC]

Nope. Not giving up. I was surprised to see these new hair like feathers, and there's a lot of them, so I didn't want to get my hopes up not knowing if they were a good thing or a bad thing. So far she's leaving them alone, but one of the regular pin feathers in the picture I posted is out this morning. It seems she lets them get to a certain length and them out they come. But she didn't have any of these hair like feathers a month ago, and she's leaving them alone, so I will take that as progress. She a a good bird. And really sweet, so I'm really hoping I can help her stop the plucking before too much permanent damage is done. It's a two steps forward, one step back kind of deal, but it's only been a bit over a month, so not long at all. And the progress she's made in such a short time is absolutely astounding. I'm shocked beyond belief. I was just hoping she'd learn to be comfortable and happy here, and didn't even dare to dream she might be snuggly. Well, she's not snuggly. She's Velcro bird. She gets very upset of she's not somewhere on me at all times.

 

[SailBoat]

That is heartwarming!

Just an FYI. Since you will need to leave her from time to time. It will be important to build into her day times when you to will be apart. So, build that 'routine' into her World. When you are in different parts of the house, use contact calls ( a couple of words, a segment of a song, etc....) that allows her to know that you are around and that everything is OK. At some point, she will begin doing the same. Always respond to a contact call with a return contact call! Its kind of like: I'm OK are you OK, just checking in on you!

Also work on providing her something to do, her job! Whether its making big pieces into small pieces or whatever. This works to self-entertainment, which is so very important in bring them a level of comfort in addition to being with you.

 

[BeatriceC]

Oh, she does have to learn to live without me sometimes. Two of my kids have a genetic bone disorder and I take them to the doctor's a lot. I have to go grocery shopping and clean the house. She's just not happy about this. I have been working on getting her to like MrC a little bit more than she does, but she doesn't want any part of it. But I've only had her for a month, so we have time to work on these things.

 

[Notdumasilook]

Ive been doing some digging on health issues caused by a specific virus that wreaks havoc on a birds nervous system... one major indicator is plucking/self mutilation. Problem is... testing for the virus is very iffy and u can get lots of false negatives. From what I understand it causes lesions/inflamation in the CNS including the brain leading to lots of issues... plucking being one of the main ones. Lots of vets are "in the dark" on most of the current research being done. Bottom line.. to stop the plucking you have to address the inflammation... and there is only 1 med that should be used... Celoxib. You might ask your vet to prescribe some and give it a try on your bird. You can have the bird tested but its very possible you will get a false negative. At present the only 100% testing that can be used to detect the virus (ABV) is a necropsy.... which at that point doesn't help. Im no vet by a long shot but just thought I'd share what I ran across.