trail_rider

Francis got along fairly well with the vet. I brought along some almonds to entice him to be a good boy. He will be anyone's friend if they have an almond. I haven't really noticed any plucking, he has been chewing at his feathers abit, but I just gave him a new toy and a papertowel roll to keep him busy.

Well we have returned from the vet. and the verdict is: it is just his air sac. Man did I feel silly! She said that you typically won't see it in a feathered bird because of the feathers covering it up when it appears. The only time it inflated while we were there is when I gave him an almond and he had his head down. She assured me that it is nothing to worry about. I am still going to keep an eye on it for a while. Does anyone else have a plucked bird that they can see this on? My mind is still having a hard time knowing that he is okay......i guess i am just a worry wart.

Thanks guys! I am definately more concerned for his health but I also would love to see a happily feathered Francis! The poor guy only has feathers on his head and wings. Well I am very anxious to know what is going on with him and I will get right on here to let you all know what we find out!<br><br>Post edited by: trail_rider, at: 2010/01/27 05:28

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back on here. I haven't been able to load the site the last couple of days. I called the vet first thing on monday morning only to find out that they are out until tomorrow. Sooo....I am getting up first thing to call and then off we go. I was checking him over tonight and it is still coming and going. I am glad to hear that rocky is going to be fine!! I hope I get the same news about Francis! The poor guy has been through more than enough. One question regarding his trip to the vet....I know this is probably going to be stressful for him but is this going to effect his progress that he has made with the plucking? He is starting to let his feathers come in, is this going to cause him to pluck them out again??

I wasn't implying that I am diagnosing Francis as being okay. I DO plan on calling my vet first thing in the morning to get him in to be seen. To look at him he looks fine....he is eatting, playing and being himself, but I still plan on taking him in.

I too, contacted the lady that I got Francis from. She feel that it was just trapped air as well and to keep an eye on it. I am still going to call my vet first thing in the morning to get him in. How is rocky doing? Francis has been himself- playing, eatting, being silly.

the lighting was bad, but you can still see it.

Rockysmum, that is odd! What is your plan of action with this? I checked him again just a bit ago and it was gone! I watched him as he was eatting and it would inflate and then deflate and inflate and so on! it was really crazy! i am stumped!

Judygram-you are right! Had his feathers been grown in I would have never seen it. I do hope that it is nothing. I have a phone call and an email in to the lady I got him from. I figured it was worth a shot. Maybe since she has had a total vet workup done on him she already knows what it is. I really hope he is going to be okay....i dont know what i would do if anything ever happened to him. This poor guy has been through so much and i just want nothing more than for him to have a forever happy life!

Thank you to both of you! I will make him an appointment first thing on monday and let you guys know what we find out!

well i just made some phone calls and no one is in on the weekend. Is he going to be okay until monday? I have to work then, but the vet is only 2 blocks from my work. Does anyone have any ideas as to what this is?

Thanks dave! I just noticed it a little bit ago and paniced. it looks like an airsac. there isn't anything in it that i can tell because it does go down but not for very long. why......oh why do these things happen on the weekend!?!?!?

its like a air sack on the back/side of his neck

Now if this isn't anything feel free to point and laugh, but I just noticed this on Francis and I want to be sure that he is okay. I am a worry wart and I am sure you guys have come to know that! It isn't everyday I see a naked bird, so maybe this is supposed to be there. Please help me ease my mind!!!

Acappella- I hope to be posting pictures of a fully feather happy Francis in no time. Hopefully sooner than later, but either way I will continue to love him for the goof ball that he is!<br><br>Post edited by: trail_rider, at: 2010/01/18 06:12

No worries Dave! I really should have put that information out there instead of assuming everyone would have remembered. *mental note for next time*

Thanks pearllyn-I too hope he feels better soon! I brought him home with me knowing that it would be a long road and that it is! but i know it will all be worth it for both francis and myself! Dave- I assumed that you knew about Francis' past because you are the one that convinced me to use the aloe juice in the first place. but then again I am sure that you reply to lots of posts and didnt remember. I will get the aloe gel tomorrow!! THANK YOU!

Dave, I appreciate your advice and understand your not wanting to give the wrong advice. I am not asking if I should take him to the vet because of his plucking. That has already been done. Tests have been done and he is perfectly healthy. The plucking is not from anything health realated. I was asking about the vet visit for this patch on his side. If I fet the aloe gel and put it on there and keep him clean, he should survive right? I wouldnt be doing anything wrong by not taking in him in? It isnt a big gapping wound or anything of the sort. as you can see from the last picture i posted.....his skin isnt torn it was just blood coming from the pins.

dave-one more question...... Do you think he will be fine without a visit to the vet, or do you think one is in order?

I will definately get the gel. I have to go into town for work tomorrow and will get it then. I am about 50miles from any civilization, so supplies are hard to come by with out significant travel. I havent been drying him after spraying him...I soak him til he is dripping and then he sits in the sunshine in the middle of the living room on his playstand. If I am away for the day as soon as I open his cage door he is on his way out ready or not!! I cant wait for this product to get here! I hate to see him so uncomfortable that he makes himself bleed.

Im glad to hear that it has no seditives in it because I already ordered it. I dont want to use seditives because that isnt going to fix the problem and it isnt fair to Francis. that macaw made a total turn around!! I got Francis cleaned up and it doesn't look as bad as i thought. What do you think of it now? do I need to get PURE aloe gel to put on it?

also, do I continue with the aloe when i start using this product? I truely appologize for all of the questions.....I just like to cover all of my bases.

he is not a nervous bird at all.....he is happy go lucky and always playing and eatting and keeping me busy. do you have any of this product on hand? can you tell me the ingredients in it, please? Does is have any suppressants of any sorts in it?

on the product descrition for this feather-in it says to use with a few other products; calciboost, feather up, and potent brew. Are these neccesary?

dave. thank you for clearing that up for me. I will order it today. I just wasnt sure if the dry skin product was going to work on a behavioral plucker. I promise I am not doubting you I just wanted to be sure. Your pictures that you posted are amazing. I do hope that Francis can make a recovery like the grey in your picture.