SOS ... Raylan Beak Wound

[Rynkydynk]

Raylan just flew into something and took a chunk out of his beak. I called his vet and they cannot get him in until later this afternoon. It isn't actively bleeding but blood is visible just under a thin layer of remaining tissue. Anyone had anything like this happen? What should I do for him? Anyone? Please help

 

[Birdman666]

Raylan just flew into something and took a chunk out of his beak. I called his vet and they cannot get him in until later this afternoon. It isn't actively bleeding but blood is visible just under a thin layer of remaining tissue. Anyone had anything like this happen? What should I do for him? Anyone? Please help

First REMAIN CALM...

Second, it isn't actively bleeding, so he isn't in imminent danger. Get the bird to a vet as soon as possible.

Third... beaks do get injured. However, the way it was explained to me is that they are like fingernails, they are constantly growing, and there is a blood supply to them...

As long as it's not cracked to the point where it looks like major reconstructive surgery is involved, it should grow back on its own.

The biggest thing is to stop the bleeding, when it's gushing blood. Since this one isn't gushing blood, I'd say he can probably wait until the vet is available.

 

[Rynkydynk]

No, there is no fracture/crack or blood at all, just chipped. So, do I remove the loose flakes? Rinse with saline or put Neosporin on it? Or just leave it alone until the vet sees him?

 

[Birdman666]

No, there is no fracture/crack or blood at all, just chipped. So, do I remove the loose flakes? Rinse with saline or put Neosporin on it? Or just leave it alone until the vet sees him?

I'd leave it alone until the vet sees it.

As long as it's not gushing blood.

 

[JerseyWendy]

OUCH! Poor Raylan!!!

Yes, I agree with Mark. Leave it alone, especially since he'll be seeing a vet still today. Depending on how deep the indentation is, the vet 'may' fill the area with some dental bonding agents.

Here's a pretty good link (just don't panic or get grossed out, especially because Raylan's beak looks NOTHING like some of those pictured)
Beak Reconstructive Surgery - Bird Vet Dr. Larry Nemetz Avian Vet Orange CA Pet Birds

 

[Rynkydynk]

No, there is no fracture/crack or blood at all, just chipped. So, do I remove the loose flakes? Rinse with saline or put Neosporin on it? Or just leave it alone until the vet sees him?

I'd leave it alone until the vet sees it.

As long as it's not gushing blood.

Ok phew! Multiple gratitude for your prompt response. I am now much calmer and will do my best to patiently watch the clock until she can see him in 3 hours

Thank you!

 

[SilverSage]

Poor baby. I agree, don't panic, take him to the vet and see what he says. I would also add, don't get freaked out about flying young birds crash land, human babies fall and skin their knees. It is part of the learning process. It is scary for the paront, but important for the mental development of your little guy.

 

[Rynkydynk]

OUCH! Poor Raylan!!!

Yes, I agree with Mark. Leave it alone, especially since he'll be seeing a vet still today. Depending on how deep the indentation is, the vet 'may' fill the area with some dental bonding agents.

Here's a pretty good link (just don't panic or get grossed out, especially because Raylan's beak looks NOTHING like some of those pictured)
Beak Reconstructive Surgery - Bird Vet Dr. Larry Nemetz Avian Vet Orange CA Pet Birds

Yes, that's my problem ... I cannot tell how deep it is due to the flaky chipped part. I haven't even touched it out of fear of infection. This is a pic from the other side ...

 

[SilverSage]

It's ok, the vet will know what to do. At this point what he does and doesnt do will likely be mostly about making the bird comfortable more than anything else. He will know whether infection is a risk or not. Just keep calm and don't touch it, your baby isnt in danger.

 

[Rynkydynk]

Poor baby. I agree, don't panic, take him to the vet and see what he says. I would also add, don't get freaked out about flying young birds crash land, human babies fall and skin their knees. It is part of the learning process. It is scary for the paront, but important for the mental development of your little guy.

Yes, it is very scary. Over the last 2 weeks, he has broken 3 long beautiful tail feathers which seems to affect his landings. I don't know if anyone here remembers the old tv show "The Greatest American Hero" ... if so, you can envision his landing skills lol Sad because he was really getting it down pat with just an occasional crash landing here and there. Now, I could appropriately rename him Crash *giggle* but I know this is all just a process. Until this. I am strongly against clipping or any other bird grounding so I know I just have to get through this but his poor beak. So scary, so sad

 

[JerseyWendy]

I can imagine this is much scarier for you than for Raylan. HUGS to you! It WILL be all right, I promise!

How is Raylan acting? Try and keep him calm as well (which is probably easier said than done with a young, energetic GW baby)

 

[gracebowen]

I hope all is well with his beak. One of my tiels came to me very badly clipped. When he first started flying every landing was a crash. I spent many weeks worried about his health. He flies quite well now though he still has a missing tail feather. I think he broke the same feather so many times it will never grow back.

Nonetheless he flies fine now.

 

[Birdman666]

Baby big macs CONSTANTLY Break tail feathers. They get them caught in things, they crash land with them, they get to playing and just forget they are their...

It's entirely normal.

He's just not quite all there with his coordination yet. It actually takes about two years to get all the bugs worked out.

 

[Rynkydynk]

I can imagine this is much scarier for you than for Raylan. HUGS to you! It WILL be all right, I promise!

How is Raylan acting? Try and keep him calm as well (which is probably easier said than done with a young, energetic GW baby)

Thank you. You are probably right. At first, he seemed shocked/scared then he made a whimpering sound for about 15ish minutes while I cuddled, talked and coddled him. Now he seems fine. I put him in his cage so that he doesn't try to fly and damage it further. He's asleep now.

 

[Rynkydynk]

I hope all is well with his beak. One of my tiels came to me very badly clipped. When he first started flying every landing was a crash. I spent many weeks worried about his health. He flies quite well now though he still has a missing tail feather. I think he broke the same feather so many times it will never grow back.

Nonetheless he flies fine now.

Your story is encouraging. Thank you for your kindness and reassurance. I feel like such a worrier but I am literally a Mommie all over again. Same worries I had while raising my children and my monkey :11:

 

[Rynkydynk]

Baby big macs CONSTANTLY Break tail feathers. They get them caught in things, they crash land with them, they get to playing and just forget they are their...

It's entirely normal.

He's just not quite all there with his coordination yet. It actually takes about two years to get all the bugs worked out.

Thank you for the reassurance but ... Two years? Yikes, my nerves will be strongly tested lol
So, the broken tail feathers will grow back? I read something about broken feathers growing back in broken and having to be plucked. Your thoughts?

 

[JerseyWendy]

Oh yes, broken and frayed feathers will fall out and will be replaced with brand new ones. My Niko's tail feathers looked rather shabby for a while, until he learned to properly 'maintain' them. Then he continuously banged up his left wing. It's currently molting out again.

And Ripley came to me in not the 'finest' feathers. You would never guess seeing him now.

 

[Birdman666]

Baby big macs CONSTANTLY Break tail feathers. They get them caught in things, they crash land with them, they get to playing and just forget they are their...

It's entirely normal.

He's just not quite all there with his coordination yet. It actually takes about two years to get all the bugs worked out.

Thank you for the reassurance but ... Two years? Yikes, my nerves will be strongly tested lol
So, the broken tail feathers will grow back? I read something about broken feathers growing back in broken and having to be plucked. Your thoughts?

Yeah, baby big macs are quite hyper, and their tail feathers are usually quite ratty for about the first two years... after that they tend to learn to take care of them.

NO! YOU DON'T PULL MOST BROKEN FEATHERS!!!

The only time you pull broken feathers is if they are blood feathers, and there is a risk of the bird bleeding to death.
Otherwise leave them alone. The broken feathers will fall out on their own at the next molt, and a brand new full length feather will grow in their place.
And if it's a young mac, he'll probably break that one too in short order...

Pulling feathers unnecessarily could damage the feather follicles, THEN THEY DON'T GROW BACK. SO THAT'S AN ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

IF IT'S NOT BLEEDING, JUST LEAVE IT ALONE...

 

[Madaip]

Poor thing , I really hope it get better soon !

 

[Birdman666]

Baby big macs CONSTANTLY Break tail feathers. They get them caught in things, they crash land with them, they get to playing and just forget they are their...

It's entirely normal.

He's just not quite all there with his coordination yet. It actually takes about two years to get all the bugs worked out.

Thank you for the reassurance but ... Two years? Yikes, my nerves will be strongly tested lol
So, the broken tail feathers will grow back? I read something about broken feathers growing back in broken and having to be plucked. Your thoughts?

OOOHHH! THE EVIL OPENING YOU JUST GAVE ME!

Yes, your nerves will be tested... somewhere around the time that bird turns 7 and the hormonal behaviors start... 7 to 12 are the tough ages for most macaws...