Char Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 I know that a parrots beak flakes off and is constantly renewing itself but does this seem extreme to you? I has gradually gotten worse over the past few weeks. She has an appt with the vet on the 18th but I would take off work and get her in sooner if I thought I needed to. Have you guys ever seen this? Post edited by: Char, at: 2009/04/12 02:21 Post edited by: Char, at: 2009/04/12 02:24 / Post edited by: Char, at: 2009/04/12 02:30<br><br>Post edited by: Char, at: 2009/04/12 02:32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave007 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 post the pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Char Posted April 12, 2009 Author Share Posted April 12, 2009 Well I see to be having a bit of a problem getting the pic posted.:blush: You can see it here. http://lanephotography.smugmug.com/photos/510364773_uxzVF-L.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave007 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 It is a bit extreme. It looks like what happens to a beak that's been constantly scraped and/or rubbed constantly across the bars of a cage. Raraely does the tip get affected but the area above the tip, in your bird's case, the side above the tip is being thinned out so your vet will have to repair that by shortening the tip before it possibly cracks. If you can go sooner than your date, do it. Check out whether you see your bird rubbing his beak side to side on the bars. It will normally happen when a bird is in the cage,<br><br>Post edited by: Dave007, at: 2009/04/12 02:45 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Char Posted April 12, 2009 Author Share Posted April 12, 2009 Thanks Dave. She does rub her beak a lot but not on the cage bars. She is not confined to her cage during the day. The door to her room is closed but her cage is open. It is an empty room and nothing in there to hurt her. She has this little door that opens down and becomes a ledge that she walks out on. She does rub her beak a lot on the edge of this. That is probably what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Dave is right, it does look a little extreme and the sooner you can get it looked at the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave007 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Well, go to the vet anyway. He'll have to do a minor repair and blunt out the beak so the tip isn't so dependent on the thinning area above it. In the mean time, if you have any aloe gel or vit E fluid or olive oil, put a dab on that area to take the brittleness out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Char Posted April 12, 2009 Author Share Posted April 12, 2009 Will do. Now that I think about she rubs her beak on the edge of her food bowl on her playstand a lot also. She does seem to rub her beak a lot, not just to remove food. Why do you think she does it so much?<br><br>Post edited by: Char, at: 2009/04/12 03:45 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave007 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 It's simply a habit. It's a question with no real answer. The best thing I can think of is that somehow or another, the bird is simply winding down, releasing tension, scratching against something that has a very rough edge, the appearance of an item. It's hard to say. One of my greys hangs upside down in the cage from the roof and does the same thing with the bars. Understand that greys don't mind hurting themselves if they think they can retaliate. Just look at what happens with heacy duty cowbells in a cage. A bird will smash them around while yelling, the bell comes swinging back and hits the bird in the face and the only thing that happens is that the bird yells louder and immediately starts to put a serious hurting on that bell only to have the whole process repeat itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovethatgrey Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Yes it does look pretty scraped. An avian vet visit is definitely in order. I would also remove any concrete perches in case she decides to do some beak cleaning with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Char Posted April 12, 2009 Author Share Posted April 12, 2009 Thanks so much for for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranaz Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I am not able to see the photo, all I get is , it says a broken link... Can you post on your profile? cos I would like to see thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Char Posted April 16, 2009 Author Share Posted April 16, 2009 Sorry I had trouble getting it to upload. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Char Posted April 16, 2009 Author Share Posted April 16, 2009 Update. We just returned from the vet. The vet trimmed up the beak and took some samples to send for fungus and pathology. She is being thorough. She also prescribed an antifungal antibacterial to put on the beak. You know what pathology means..EXPENSIVE. The vet was $150 and the path alone with shipping was another $150. I am starting to think I need pet health insurance. The beak looks so much better already. She said her beak was a little bit overgrown anyway. I am very sad to learn that I will be losing my vet. She is moving to Iowa to head up an exotic animals program at the Univ of Iowa. I am happy for her but very sad to lose her. She is so good with Whisper. Her associate will be staying but only has 2 yrs of experience compared to her 18 yrs. The nearest certified vet is 1 1/2 hrs away and is good but does not take emergency calls.I don't mind the drive for normal checkups but what if I had an emergency. I am really bummed about this.<br><br>Post edited by: Char, at: 2009/04/15 22:28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 I am glad to hear that Whisper's beak is better, sometimes they grow so that a trim is necessary, yes vets are expensive and all those tests really add up but it is money well spent if it helps your bird. Sorry to hear about your vet taking another position, but thats the breaks when you have a good one, they are in demand for greater projects but I am sure you will find a solution soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SchroedersJen Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 VPI has a great avian insurance program. I have used it and they were very helpful. I'd suggest you take any sandy pearches or abrasive surfaces out of the cage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovethatgrey Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Glad to hear that your little one is on the mend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Char, glad to hear that you grey seems to be doing better. You're a good mommy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Char Posted April 18, 2009 Author Share Posted April 18, 2009 Hey guys. Thanks for your interest. My baby is certainly worth the expense. I may have to eat cereal the rest of the month but by golly she is stocked up on her expensive organic pellets. :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
she Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 I know just what you mean. I spend far more on the birds than on myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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