Very Sick Quaker...

[gldn]

We have an almost 2 1/2 year old quaker that started having issues about 2 weeks ago. It started with a small scab-ish mark we noticed under his neck and has quickly spread to his entire neck and under his wings. We've taken him to the vet twice now (our local vet is avian trained) and have done everything they can think of and it just keeps getting worse and spreading. He is taking cephlexin twice a day, prednisone, benadryl for scratching/itching, and skin wipes and a spray. The spots are raw and each time we put medicine on them you can tell it hurts him he winces and makes a low whining sound. He is the sweetest birs so no biting or fighting, takes his medicine from the droppers but just keeps getting weaker and weaker. He hasn't lost his appetite but I'm pretty sure the prednisone has a lot to do with that. I have photos that we've been taking along the way. We first thought mites but hes he's been checked, then bacterual infection but the antibiotics dont seem to be helping. He's been swabbed for testing but no results so far. We were told 5-10 days for results. .. today is day 7. Hes been so bloody when we get home that I actually took him to work today so I could watch hin and keep him from scratching. We are all at a loss and cannoy figure out whats wrong or what to do. Im hoping a "seasoned" burd owner might be out there that may have encountered anything similar.

 

[gldn]

Please excuse the typos ... Im not an idiot but my phone is

 

[gldn]

Dont know if this means anything but we've also noticed the skin on his feet and beak have the apperance of being really thin...almost translucent in appearance.

 

[Timothy]

Oh wow. That looks terrible. I'm not familiar with what his condition is. all i can offer is my best wishes and prayers. I wish you the best luck. If it were me id take him to get a second opinion asap cuse the vet seems to be slow? not sure.

 

[Colorguarder08]

Take him to a certified avian vet. There's a difference in being trained and certified for example I'm trained to do payroll but your going to want somebody certified to do it. I believe that an avain vet will have a better idea of what is wrong typically if somebody is trained in something not in their fieldit's usually just a general this is what a normal one looks to where as a specialist will have a more in depth knowledge of what it may be.

 

[RavensGryf]

Sorry this has happened to your beloved bird. I'd take him to another avian vet with more avian experience for a second opinion. Many small animal vets are "trained" in and will see birds, but the truth is, most of them just don't see enough birds regularly to be familiar with the endless possibilities of what can be wrong with a bird. Especially if it isn't a common issue. What diagnostic tests have been done? I know it's tough depending on where you live, to find a good avian vet.

No matter how much bird experience any of us here have, we can never diagnose anything over the internet for you. Also, since there are literally thousands(?) of medical issues a bird can possibly have (and maybe more than just one thing going on at the same time), truth is most people will have no idea. Even if by chance someone says their bird had something that "seemed" like the same thing, you just never know for sure without proper lab tests and or x-ray. Heck, as you're finding out, even vets can have no idea!

I urge you to find another avian vet for a second opinion. Good luck!

 

[Allee]

I'm sorry you are going through with your little quaker. I agree with RavensGryf, the only option I can suggest is to take your little one to a veterinarian that specializes in avian care. I wish you the best. Please keep us updated, my thoughts are with you.

 

[weco]

The picture you posted looks like your bird is worrying with the neck wound and not letting it heal.....how dry is it in your house? I ask this because dry climates/houses can cause a bird to pick at dry, itchy skin and having been prescribed anti-itch medication, your vet is apparently thinking the itching/irritation is relevant.....

If you do have the option of taking your bird to another avian vet, at least you'd have a second opinion...if you don't have the option of another avian vet, ask your vet about an Elizabethan collar, it would prevent the bird from getting its beak on the neck wound & if properly sized, probably keep him away from under the too.....

There has been several theories, posted by different veterinarians, that while self mutilation may start with one thing, like itchy, dry skin, it quickly progresses to the bird giving itself a cheap, endorphin high, much like lids that tend to cut themselves, not to really do damage, but to get the euphoric feelings that endorphin releases create.....

Unless your bird lives in and was raised in a very dry climate, they should be in an environment of between 30% & 70% humidity and temperatures from near freezing to around 85° F.....

I think you need to, as the others have posted, seek another opinion, have an in-depth discussion about the whys of the medications he has prescribed and do a lot of reading about why birds mutilate...there are a lot of reasons and no quick solutions, but I would inquire about the possibility of a collar for your bird.....good luck.....

 

[gldn]

Thank you for all of your responses. The option of a truly trained or specialized avian vet is not feesable for us at the moment. It is not due to a neglectful thought process on our part but closest is 2 hours away and with recently spending over $200 so far just not possible. Our little fella has stumped our vet and his experienced breeder as well. I have searched and searched the internet foe resources, photos and other people possibly having dealt with this situation with no answers. We have scaled back his meds due to a very scary development in where it looks as though his skin has actually ripped. I will try to attach another photo with this post. Otherwise he is actually acting like he feels a little better and hes never lost his appetite. I took the common sense approach and doctored his wounds that I could get to with neosporin and they are looking better (not raw and oozing anymore) but now the spot on the back of his neck has me very frightened. We havent tried a collar b/c all his issues are where the collar would fit and hes scratching with his feet not plucking feathers so he would still be able to reach to scratch.

 

[gldn]

*clarification* scaled back his "topical" spray and wipe rx's

 

[gldn]

I will check the humidity in just a few minutes and see what it is in the room hes in. Meantime here is the latest picture of the back of his neck.

 

[Allee]

Poor little guy, that looks so painful. I'm sorry your quaker is still sick. I know you must be very worried. You said your vet was stumped, what kind of tests has he done and is it possible he could consult an avian vet?

 

[gldn]

She completed a swab test/culture which came back negative for bacteria. She has offered to refer us to an avain vet but again we just arent able to go that distance at the moment.

 

[ConureLover5368]

You should keep him warm. Wish you luck sir.

 

[getwozzy]

Ohmygoodness!!! You're poor baby!! [emoji33]

Is there any way your vet could consult with an avian vet over the phone and share photos and information with them via email? I know a lot of vets prefer to see the patient in person in order to diagnose, but given your special circumstances it may be worth it to ask?