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Post by mintysowner on Jun 1, 2014 17:48:03 GMT
Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this feather loss on Minty's breast? I've checked and there are no visible sores (the darker bit is just a darker feather trying to come back through). I don't think it's mites as I watch him a lot and he isn't scratching and I wouldn't say he seems to be picking them out more than usual, although I have noticed he seems to have more of the white 'fluffy' feathers sticking out of his wings. He only eats seeds and won't go near anything else, could it be a deficiency? Other than this he (well.. I know he is a actually a she by the way!) has been very happy and is eating/drinking as normal. The only thing I could think of (and I don't know if this is possible) but since I got him all new wooden perches he still has his plastic ladder as it's his love, but now he sleeps practically laid on it and I am wondering if it's at all the reason why he's got this weird bald patch as he rubs against it? Any ideas?
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Feb 18, 2014 15:28:59 GMT
nour90
Normal Green
Posts: 438
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Post by nour90 on Jun 1, 2014 19:20:12 GMT
him? are u sure? i guess he is a she (another question to start wondering about now ) Sent from my GT-I9200 using Tapatalk
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Apr 5, 2014 10:10:26 GMT
Leanne
Normal Violet
Posts: 144
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Post by Leanne on Jun 1, 2014 21:22:27 GMT
Have you tried to disinfect his ladder? Or cover it in a bandage to stop irritation? Is his/her sore/lame foot the reason for resting on the ladder? As it gives more support than a normal perch? I am nowhere near an expert but those were a few questions I had :-D
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Apr 5, 2014 10:10:26 GMT
Leanne
Normal Violet
Posts: 144
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Post by Leanne on Jun 1, 2014 21:33:50 GMT
Just read your post on the foot issue!
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Post by mintysowner on Jun 1, 2014 23:04:54 GMT
I use F10 disinfectant spray on all of his cage/toys etc. a bandage is a good idea thanks, I will wrap some around the ladder bits! Yes both of his feet are poorly, one worse than the other but he gets around well now and his foot that looked like he had bumble foot on has healed nicely Looking back at my post regarding his feet in his photo's it seems to have started around the same time he started going bald there so maybe it's stress related hmm.. as he only eats seeds I was wondering if a probiotic would be a good idea at all incase he is low in any certain vits/minerals? He loves his cuttle fish. Thanks for replying Oh and I do realise he is a female, his cere used to be blue for quite some time and he has been known as a he for so many years I can't bring myself to call him a she...... doesn't feel right !!
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Post by mintysowner on Jun 1, 2014 23:10:36 GMT
Just took this quick photo of him, he sometimes even sleeps with his beak holding onto the top of the ladder bless him. I really can't tell if the feather loss is from this or something else?
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Jun 2, 2014 8:31:25 GMT
Does she drag her chest while climbing?
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Post by mintysowner on Jun 2, 2014 11:30:08 GMT
Do you mean climbing the bars or the ladder? Either way no I haven't noticed that at all. It's quite bizarre!
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Post by stace on Jun 2, 2014 21:37:30 GMT
Looks like she's either plucking them herself or she's rubbing against something.
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Post by mintysowner on Jun 2, 2014 23:13:20 GMT
Do you think it's something that should just be kept an eye on for now? He's happy in himself, albeit a lot more sleepy now at ten years old. I am unwell so spend most of my time in bed so watch him a lot and haven't really noticed him pulling them out no more than usual anyway. Thank you for the replies!
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Post by Hezz on Jun 3, 2014 2:24:04 GMT
Seriously, I don't think it is the ladder. Have a look at the photo; you can just make out the patch where Minty is bald ...... that is not where her chest is resting, but from the ladder rung down. It certainly isn't going to hurt to get him onto some vitamin supplements, but I don't think this will make any difference to his baldness.
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Post by OP on Jun 3, 2014 6:20:02 GMT
Can budgies suffer from alopecia?
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Post by Hezz on Jun 3, 2014 9:30:08 GMT
No, OP, I really don't think so. mintysowner, I would keep a really close eye on what is going on; even keeping a photographic documentation maybe on a weekly basis ....... because living with a condition, we do become immune to what is going on. At 10 years of age, have you considered giving him an increase in protein, and extra vitamins to keep him feeling good into his double digits?
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Jun 3, 2014 11:18:21 GMT
In this picture, her chest feathers does look like Elf's, when he had feather issues. Moogie?
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,800
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Jun 3, 2014 11:46:20 GMT
To me it does look like feather plucking. We noticed that Roswell has a patch similar to this under his wing. I have started applying savlon on a daily basis and he's stopped doing it.
With him it's psychological (depression since he lost his best mate 2 years ago) but he's getting much happier now and doing it less.
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