WARNING!! Not for the Feint of Heart...or Stomach..

[lovezebs]

lnlovesorange

All I can say, WOW!
I still think it might have been a feather that sort of curled in on itself, and became a cyst like growth, until it popped off.

Can you slather her poor little head with some antibiotic cream (like Polisporin triple)? Just to keep infection from setting in in there, seeing as it is an open wound?

I really hope she pulls through. She's one strong bird, to have survived this far.

Good luck.

[cindy]

Baytril is broad spectrum.... before you order let me see what the other person feels this is what she suggests as well. Certain bacteria needs to be treated with specific antibiotics... not all antibiotics work on everything, it could be what you used was not the correct one to use.

[cindy]

to clean her up I would be very careful and use sterile water, clean water a cotton ball soaked and gently clean her... or let the avian vet do so with what they have in the office. Bring the pictures and the mass with you.

[Arama]

Inlovesorange

Definitely not for those with weak stomaches.

That has got to hurt, Poor little lady. I really hope she pulls through this but I have good feelings about it. That is one tough little hen you have there.

[slwatson]

lnlovesorange

I'm so sorry! She sounds like she's extremely tough....I hope it clears up and it's nothing serious!

[lnlovesorange]

Thanks everyone... me too. Like i said she's one tough cookie, but I'm still praying for her. I'm going to call the Vet to see if they will see me.... she seemed familar with finches, so I think it'll work..... I will keep everyone posted.

[MiaCarter]

Wow. Very interesting.

Even if it was knocked off, it's quite bizarre. Usually cysts don't fall off; they typically burst. But maybe what fell off was an accumulation of pus, sebum, oils, serum, etc. (though it looked like there was a little pocket of tissue in that photo.)

I take your word that it was actual blood - you were there! In the photo, it looked like it was diluted blood.

I wonder if it could be something like hyperkeratosis. I've never seen it on a bird's head, but that would create a scabby sort of consistency on the exterior. If allowed to build up, it can get "knocked off" revealing raw skin or even a pocket of infection below.

(I have a dog who gets it on his nose - the most common spot for that sort of thing, along with paws. Not usually something you'd see on a bird's head!)

I think a cyst or abscess of some type is the most likely, probably originating from the sinuses. When an abscess forms, skin cells can actually migrate in to line the little pocket that contains the infection. Using that same process, the body can actually form a little "tube" of sorts called a sinus tract....a coincidence that her case may actually involve her sinuses! A sinus tract can form anywhere on the body though. That creates a pathway that allows the infection and fluid to travel outside the body to drain. So it's possible she had a sinus tract leading out of infected sinus cavities, and that's the little "hole" you're seeing.

The skin can really break-down when it's stretched like that, so that could explain the rough surface.....but still perplexed how it just broke off like that!!

I'm glad it broke off; I imagine it was getting heavy and uncomfortable. So while it must be raw, I bet she is much more comfortable to have the bulk gone off her head!

[MiaCarter]

Oh, you're in MA! I forget where you are exactly, but I know a couple great avian vets in the area north of boston. So if the first one doesn't work out, PM me and I'm happy to send you a couple recommendations if you need one.

[cindy]

My thought mentioned also in the beginning was possibly sinus related, the sinus expanding with infection, it can bulge into the brain, behind the eye, around the eye, unlikely it came out of the top of the skull though, this likely would have killed her. From the head shot you sent me it looks like the area above her left nostril is stained, the left eye has the discoloration fairly close to it. If there was fluid expanding, infected you would expect to see infection or puss within the mass or when it broke off. The water pinkish fluid could also be blood and inflammation. Hope the vet can clarify some of this for you.

One of the ladies I contacted though perhaps this was sinus debris build up... this still does not explain the baldness if you think she was not plucked to begin with. this is just a guess as well.

At this point without a proper diagnosis from a vet we would just be guessing as to what caused/is causing this and what the proper treatment should be. Glad you have consider seeking a vet's help.

[wildbird]

I would not separate her from her mate. Be sure she has clean fresh water and some rest. She lost a lot of blood and has been through a lot. Best of luck with her.

[monotwine]

I have no idea what that was, but wanted to offer some encouragement.

Had a quail that got scalped by his brother. Down to bare skull bone. He survived and lived for many years. That was way before I even knew what to do or how to get antibiotics. I had Acrisulph antibiotic cream that I smeared on daily and low and behold the skin grew back etc.

Know its not the same as what your little girl is experiencing, but wanted to let you know that a wound such as what has been left is not a death sentence.
Good luck in finding the help to know what is going on.

[Derk]

lnlovesorange
Just reading this now. Wanted to send my best wishes and prayers. She is obviously a tough little girl, let's hope the worst is over for her.

[cindy]

to wash the wound it was suggested you use chlorhexidine... your vet should have this.

[Kelly]

Poor thing..Please keep us posted on how she is doing

[lnlovesorange]

Thank you EVERYONE for all of your prayers, well wishes, and guesstignoses... Much appreciated. My little lady is TOUGH... I'm especially attached to her because she is my first bird, (i bought her and her mate together, but....) when in the pet store, all the males looked alike, and there was this beautiful white baby... I fell in love with her, i said I want the white one, deffinitely and then whatever male you can catch... So she is special to me. She's a fighter for sure, and I know she (we) aren't out of the woods yet, so thank you everyone. I do have a question, for MiaCarter Cindy. I am planning on seeing a vet, but not knowing when I will be able to get an appointment and get there (I work in a small office and 2 people, and the other woman I work with is leaving for 2 weeks) So it's going to be hard for me to get anything done during the week MiaCarter any of those vets you speak of up her in MA have weekend hours do you remember? So in that, I may not get here there right away, should I give her the enrotex i have (antibiotics) or Ronex? Also, should I be putting a topical anti biotic on her to fight off any infection? If so, any suggestions on the best one to use? Can I use a regular triple antibiotic oinment like neosporin or bacitracin?
Again, thank you all so much. I really appreciate all of the thoughts, and kind words. You guys, as ALWAYS, are the best!