So, in addition to the standard battery of tests that should be performed on the feather picking parrot, serum zinc and blood lead levels should also be run. It seems that birds are quite sensitive to zinc toxicosis, and this may be manifested by feather picking, pruritis and dry, flaky skin. New information indicates that chronic problems with lead or zinc toxicosis may be involved with feather picking. In addition, a skin and follicle biopsy may be diagnostic, feather pulp culture and skin scrapings may also prove helpful. A CBC, chemistry panel, Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) test, chlamydophila panel, fecal parasite exam, choanal and cloacal bacterial cultures, fungal isolation, radiographs, and polyomavirus testing should all be performed. The feather picking bird must be diagnosed and managed individually.įeather pickers must receive a thorough work-up. There is no magic bullet to cure feather picking in each and every case. The cause if often multi-factorial, and even if the causes are uncovered, the picking may have developed into a bad habit, much like nail-biting is to humans. Many birds are presented with feather picking as a primary complaint, and although the pet bird owner comes in looking for, and hoping for a quick fix for the problem, in most cases, feather picking is frustrating for the avian practitioner. Skin and feather problems are commonly encountered in avian patients, and there can be many causes. Let's go through some of the more common problems associated with the skin, feathers and scales of some non-domestic pets. Skin scrapings, biopsies, microbiological cultures and other ancillary diagnostics may be performed on birds, exotic mammals and reptiles to aid in the diagnosis of dermatological problems. Feathers and scales may be unique, but the principles of dermatology remain the same. Our clinical training has prepared us for dealing with these problems, but we may not be as learned when it comes to diseases of the skin of exotics. Exotics: Their Beauty is More than Skin Deep Exotics: Their Beauty is More than Skin DeepĪs veterinarians, we often deal with skin problems affecting dogs and cats atopy, feline miliary dermatitis, flea allergy dermatitis and more.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |