A freak accident....what the heck? Finch with sliced back...

[StarSpun]

Hey everyone!

Wow, I am in a bit of shock right now. My new zebra finch lacy is injured but seems ok otherwise. Last night I came home a bit late and couldn't find her. She is normally sleeping on the perch with her best buddy Jasmin. I looked around and noticed her on the ground tucked in a corner. The lights had been off, and I guess she had a fright and couldn't find her way back. Once the lights came on, everyone jumped up and had a bite to eat....she seemed perfectly fine so I thought nothing of it....

This morning she has been her normal vocal self....active, etc. Just a few minutes ago I noticed her sleeping and thought it was because of their late night snack. However, when I looked close, I thought I saw the back of her neck balding. I take her out of the cage to have a look and I part the feathers....and that's when I had a near heart attack! It looks like a pretty clean slice lifting the skin right off from the base of her body. Doesn't look infected, no fresh blood. It's just bizarre! I started flipping out, wondering what could have happened when my husband pointed out the metal piece holding a calcium block. Sure enough, there is a small piece of flesh on it! That's where they normally sleep....OMG! I feel SO awful....I don't know what to do. She is up and eating, etc....so I think she's ok.

What can I do to prevent infection? Is there something I can put on it?


Thanks so much in advance!!!!

[Martie]

I'm so sorry your Lacy is injured! There seems no end to the ways our birds can hurt themselves.

First, I will caution to not put anything greasy on the wound - so no neosporin or other such antibiotic ointment. These will grease up the feathers and seriously compromise your bird's ability to regulate his temperature. I personally would gently irrigate with plain lukewarm water to remove any debris particles that might be in there, lightly pat dry, and disinfect with hydrogen peroxide. How often to do this is something you will have to work out as there is a tradeoff between stressing the bird with repeated catching up and treating and letting nature take its course.

If you are at all uncomfortable, you might consider a visit to an avian veterinarian. It will be quite expensive, but you are there with your bird and can best assess how serious the wound looks and if it warrants a vet visit

Keep us posted and good luck!

[Sally]

So sorry she had this accident. It doesn't sound like she bled much, if at all. I'd be very tempted to just keep an eye on it, or treat it as Martie has suggested. I remember another member posting about their bird getting caught in the metal holder that comes with some cuttlebones. Those holders can be quite sharp, so I would replace the holder with a twist-tie or soft twine or even just set the mineral block in a cup.

[StarSpun]

Hi guys thanks so much for writing back!

So as I was cleaning the area (Triple Antibiotic) I realized Jasmin has the same thing....so I think it's just their loose skin at the back under the feathers. I still don't know what the bald spot is on the back of her head. She's had it for a bit, but seemed worse today. So hopefully she didn't cut herself although I don't know what that piece of flesh coloured stuff was on the holder....*sigh*

Martie, I did the triple stuff before I got your message, but I just took her out again and wiped most of it off with a Q-Tip and warm water. Can she be harmed if she gets some on her beak and eats it? She keeps grooming the area now, soooo....yikes! I took off as much as I could and wet her down at the back of her head.

Sally yes for sure I will be changing that metal thing. I was wondering about it, should have listened to my instinct!


Lacey is clearly quite angry right now.....she is flapping and grooming and trying to get clean. I feel terrible. They are so fidgety when you hold them so I didn't have much time to notice the skin being so veiny and red and the difference between that and a cut. She is still sleeping a lot today, so I will keep an eye on her.

Thanks again!!!!

[StarSpun]

Ok so here are some photos!
It seems to be she is balding in the neck. I still can't see a cut.
Is this moulting or another problem? I noticed it very slight about three days ago, and now the spot is much bigger....






She is quite puffy too, which worries me!



I am currently treating them with S76, just started today after she looked bad. Then I have the stuff for cocci, and then a dewormer. Some probiotics too. Anything I am missing?

Thanks so much once again!

[Sally]

So glad it was not a cut after all, but until you become familiar with your birds, it is an easy mistake to make. We have had members become very upset because they see a hole in the side of the head of a newly-plucked bird, and it is just their ear. Normally the ear is covered by feathers, so when it is exposed, it can be quite frightening. From the photos you posted, I would say that your little bird is being plucked, either by the other Zebra or the canary. There are many causes of feather plucking, breeding and territorial issues being at the top of the list. Often, one bird will pluck another seeking feathers as nesting material. Here is a good article on feather plucking, causes, and some things you can do to correct it.

http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/features_pluckbald.php

Are there just the three birds sharing a cage?

[StarSpun]

So glad it was not a cut after all, but until you become familiar with your birds, it is an easy mistake to make. We have had members become very upset because they see a hole in the side of the head of a newly-plucked bird, and it is just their ear. Normally the ear is covered by feathers, so when it is exposed, it can be quite frightening. From the photos you posted, I would say that your little bird is being plucked, either by the other Zebra or the canary. There are many causes of feather plucking, breeding and territorial issues being at the top of the list. Often, one bird will pluck another seeking feathers as nesting material. Here is a good article on feather plucking, causes, and some things you can do to correct it.

http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/features_pluckbald.php

Are there just the three birds sharing a cage?

Hi Sally!

Thanks for the quick response! There are only the three birds....they all seem to get along wonderfully, I watch them all the time. I also have a camera on them that I broadcast live....I watched all days video from yesterday and there was not one hint of aggression.

She is still pooling out, and has very white poop. When it hits the paper, it creates a wet spot around it, which I am reading is not good:-( She is also sleeping a lot although she has eaten and finally had a drink. There is some EXCESSIVE grooming going on, not just the bald spot but ALL over. I am wondering if it's mites or lice or an internal parasite! Not sure what to treat for! I don't want to lose her....she seems very distressed and not herself:-(

[Sally]

I forgot to address the grease issue. Since you have wiped off most of it, she should be OK. I don't think it would hurt her to ingest it, I use Neosporin as a lubricant when I apply leg bands to fledged babies, and I'm sure they probably get some on their beaks when they try to pick off that strange bling! You could always offer some lukewarm bath water, and if she appears chilled, just set a lamp near one end of the cage (60w bulb), and she can warm herself. Just make sure that it is only aimed at one end of the cage, so she can move away from it if she gets too hot.

[Sally]

If she seems like she is itching/preening a lot, there is always the possibility of mites. SCATT is the best product to treat both internal or external mites, Avian Insect Liquidator is great for external mites--both these products have to be ordered online. But if you have a local pet store, they should have a small bottle of mite spray you could get for now for external mites.

I would for sure put a heat lamp on one end of the cage, heat is one of the best things for an ill bird. Just a normal lamp with a 60w bulb will do, aimed at one end of the cage. She could also be stressed, that can make them ill. Keep her warm and keep an eye on her, make sure she is eating and drinking.

[Nerien]

Since it is a female, there is always the possibility of egg binding, even if there is no male around. A drop or two of liquid calcium probably wouldn't be a bad idea, right?

When we got our first two societies, one died within the first week. Both were female. NOW I know that she was eggbound, then we didn't know enough to realize it. Evidently came from the store already in trouble. A couple drops of liquid calcium probably would have saved her.

[Sally]

Thanks for mentioning that, Nerien, that is often a possibility with hens.

[StarSpun]

I forgot to address the grease issue. Since you have wiped off most of it, she should be OK. I don't think it would hurt her to ingest it, I use Neosporin as a lubricant when I apply leg bands to fledged babies, and I'm sure they probably get some on their beaks when they try to pick off that strange bling! You could always offer some lukewarm bath water, and if she appears chilled, just set a lamp near one end of the cage (60w bulb), and she can warm herself. Just make sure that it is only aimed at one end of the cage, so she can move away from it if she gets too hot.

If she seems like she is itching/preening a lot, there is always the possibility of mites. SCATT is the best product to treat both internal or external mites, Avian Insect Liquidator is great for external mites--both these products have to be ordered online. But if you have a local pet store, they should have a small bottle of mite spray you could get for now for external mites.

I would for sure put a heat lamp on one end of the cage, heat is one of the best things for an ill bird. Just a normal lamp with a 60w bulb will do, aimed at one end of the cage. She could also be stressed, that can make them ill. Keep her warm and keep an eye on her, make sure she is eating and drinking.

Ok good to know about the antibiotic, I was afraid I killed her for nothing, ha ha! As for the lightbulb idea....I am a bit afraid to do it. It's REALLY hot where we are....I think it was 90 in the house today. I moved the cage out to the shade on the patio. She had more to eat and then finally drank the water with the S76 in it! Later on, I came back to find all three of them had bathed in the water, so she must be feeling better a bit at least. What I find odd is that her finch buddy Jasmin is also sleeping a lot. I wondered if it was the heat, can that stress them? I see no panting or anything....

Does S76 take care of external mites like Scatt does?

And that's funny about folks freaking out about the ears, ha ha! I had a cockatiel before and also have chickens, so at least I have a little bit of bird knowledge, although I am still learning with these little guys. They are quite different I find! Oh and my bearded dragon also has a hole for an ear, people always freak out a bit about that:-)

Thanks so much for everything!

[StarSpun]

Since it is a female, there is always the possibility of egg binding, even if there is no male around. A drop or two of liquid calcium probably wouldn't be a bad idea, right?

When we got our first two societies, one died within the first week. Both were female. NOW I know that she was eggbound, then we didn't know enough to realize it. Evidently came from the store already in trouble. A couple drops of liquid calcium probably would have saved her.

Oh my gosh, seriously?! You could be right about that actually, eeeek! She has been spending a lot of time in her nest organizing it, I am going to check now if that is a sign. Ok, so the calcium can help even if she is already in an egg bind? I don't have any of the calcium stuff but I have the feather up stuff. Will that help?

I have calcium powder that I use for my bearded dragon. Is this also an option? I guess if it was egg binding, the stress of it would cause her maybe to pluck her own feathers, is that what you are thinking?

Thanks so much!

[StarSpun]

Oh yes, I also forgot, I ground up some of the cuttlebone and put it into their food. They've been eating and now are setting up for sleep. The three of them cuddle all the time....but this is the first night Pumpkin is in the middle, as he usually goes on the outside beside Lacey (who us on the left).

I will keep everyone posted tomorrow on how she is doing. Thanks again for all your help!!!!

[StarSpun]

This morning Lacy is still puffed but is eating, etc. She sits on the perch and just continuously grooms, but all over the place. It's like she can't decide on a spot. I am thinking mites or something. Hopefully the S76 works?! This will be day 2....

Edit: Ok, now she is going back to sleep....in her nest this time. *sigh*

Edit: Now she is back up on her perch. She is excessively grooming and my husband said he's seen her shake her wings lots. I am almost leaning toward mites. When we got her, she was always very hyper, I thought it was a finch thing. When Jasmin came along, she was active but nothing like Lacey....who never STOPPED. I wonder if she's had them all along and it was making her nuts? I mean she never stopped, it was crazy! Now she's just tired and they've taken over? I am trying to decide whether to continue with the S76 and then do the dewormer starting tomorrow, or take her to the vet? Other than this itching and sleeping she is eating, drinking, and making noise/talking. I've been playing youtube videos of finches for them and they both call back and get a little silly....