Popcorn the Dermatologist

[HRH Di]

I have some small moles on my neck and shoulder. Popcorn has this annoying habit of biting these moles. He's acutally bitten off a couple. Now, while I had planned on getting these moles removed at some point, it hurts. My doctor says that it doesn't pose a health risk other than infection like any cut, but to be sure to clean them if/when he bites one off again. But she recommends that I avoid getting bitten if possible. Yeah, I really like my doctor, but duh!

I've been covering them with that white adhesive tape in 1st aid kits, but Jade and Ruby like to pull that off - because it's obviously hiding something fun.

I know he's doing it because he thinks he's preening me and just trying to help, but still...Does anyone else have this problem? Suggestions on how to stop it?

 

[Auggie's Dad]

On occasion Auggie gets in one of his moods and takes a chunk out of a finger or arm.

In the several days following he must think he is helping my "preening" the wound as he just wont leave it alone.

Sorry, no idea how to stop it except to not to let them get near the area.

 

[parrotqueen]

My birds have th same habit. I just let them know that there are limits to what and where they preen me, and when they get to any moles; they get nudged ever so gently and told 'No'. The nudges get just a little bit stronger if he persists, and he gets the point after two or three nudges. Now, he doesn't even do it anymore.

Cockatoos are bigger, and likely to test their boundaries a bit more than their smaller counterpart; the cockatiels. So don't be suprised if he continues to bite even after the tenth or eleventh nudge.

 

[antoinette]

Perhaps popcorn want to become a Dr LoL Our first Birdie Dr on the forum

I was actually starting to feeding Mishka her yoghurt right now, when I saw your post.
Mishka was reluctant to eat the yoghurt. I gave her time, while reading your post.
Every time I moved the bowl closer, she moved further away. Then I read the part about a plaster, I HAVE ONE ON MY THUMB, THAT'S WHY SHE IS NOT EATING HER YOGHURT. When I hide my thumb under the bowl she eat.
I wonder if I would have figured out why she was not eating, if I was not reading this post.....

OMG I really have a "bird brain"

 

[cnyguy]

My Quaker parrot, Ralph, will remove anything that he thinks shouldn't be there when he preens me-- moles, scars, hair, etc. Lots of parrots are like that, but it seems to be especially common among Quakers. Ralph is pretty persistent in his efforts, and while I can usually distract him temporarily, I haven't yet found an effective way to completely stop him from trying to remove moles and pluck hairs.