Update on Gould with deformed beak

[JohnBoy]

Well he is healthy again. Whatever he had it's gone. I treated him with Amoxitex and tetracycline combined. He went from almost dead to very much alive with a five day treatment.
I got a pic just now of the beak. It's really deforming rapidly. It changes from almost day to day. I keep clipping the overgrowth but the growth on the lower beak is growing inward inside his mouth. It's just too bizarre. He does not have trouble eating. He is cracking seed and eating lots of soaked millet. He is also eating miracle meal and eggfood. If it were not for the grotesque beak, He would be in tip top shape.

[L in Ontario]

As you say, he does look alert and well other than the beak. Good luck.

[GOULDYGIRL]

Oh that poor boy, that beak doesn't look to good John. I'm glad he looks fine other then the beak but something is causing this.

I was just searching now briefly and not much info, although I'm sure if you look more you might find something.

http://www.premiumparrots.com/index.php?pr=ILL_PARROT
[edited by moderator to show link]

I hope you can get to the bottom of what's going on, such a beautiful boy. Best wishes and keep us posted.

Renee

[cindy]

John did you get this bird from another breeder or is it one of your own babies?

Just a thought (my background and what my husband and father do makes me go in a different direction sometimes and explore another angles to things/problems so bear with me here).

I have been reading a few different studies on chemicals like dioxin exposures on wild birds like crows and chickadees and also domestic birds (chickens and avain bird). There were studies and findings were beak deformaties were present, with rapid growth including twisted beaks (flocks of chickadees) even double upper and lower beaks.

Google dioxins effect on birds or dioxin regulations 2009 effects on birds.

I also found some articles on dioxin effects on passerine. This could be like everyone said an internal problem or it could be something it was exposed to if you had gotten this bird from somewhere else.

Don't mean to go off in a different direction with this but I kept thinking what if this is environmental.

[Pukasand]

Stunning colors, hope the beak problem resolves.

[Hilary]

I would worry that if the beak continues to grow inward that it may get in the way of the bird's tongue, possibly making it difficult to eat.

[JohnBoy]

I would worry that if the beak continues to grow inward that it may get in the way of the bird's tongue, possibly making it difficult to eat.

what should I do? Do you think I should try to trim the inside growth? I am scared I will clip his tongue.

[Hilary]

See if you can see how much it's growing inside. If it's bad, you can try it yourself with very sharp clippers, or if you have a vet nearby maybe see if they'll do it for you. I agree about the tongue - I'm always worried about that when trimming beaks.....