Feather & Skin Disorders
Back to Diseases or Bird Health Care
Specific Conditions / Resources:
- Baldness
- Beak & Feather Disease (PBFD)
- Beak - Flaky / Dry
- Bumblefoot
- Brown Hypertrophy (cornified and keratinized cere)
- Feather Plucking
- Feather Cysts / Lumps
- Feather Lice
- Feather & Skin Mites
- French Molt
- Molt - Long
- Polyfollicles (multiple feather shafts growing from one follicle)
- Poor Feather Condition / Long Molt
- Preen Gland Tumors (enlarged preen gland)
- Ringworm (patchy loss of feathers)
- Self-Mutilation
- Ulcerative Dermatitis (red, oozing, ulcerated skin)
- Xanthomas (orange thickened, dimpled patches of skin)
- Libraries: Avian Health ... Home Remedies
Baldness
Baldness is an acquired loss of feathers on the head. It is commonly seen in canaries and cockatiels. A hormonal imbalance and genetics are believed to be responsible. Baldness can also be caused by over-preening by a mate. Inactive, undersized and/or diseased follicles are common causes of baldness. Patchy feather-loss on a bird can be a sign of Vitamin A deficiency, which can be treated by supplementing your bird's diet accordingly. Patchy feather loss can also be caused by ringworms.
An abnormal molt occurs on some birds, causing them to lose all of their head feathers at once. The birds may be juveniles undergoing their first prebasic molt. It's also possible that feather mites or feather lice may cause baldness.
Preen Gland Tumors
The preen gland is enlarged and distorted in shape. As a result the small feathers over the gland become raised and the tail feathers tend to fall out and not regrow.
Brown Hypertrophy
Commonly seen in budgies and may be likened to catarrh of a mucous surface and occurs in many types of chronic ill health. Apparently it is not caused by local infection, and ideally treatment consists of finding and treating the underlying cause. The cere (the structure containing the nostrils) hypertrophies, becoming cornified and keratinized. It may develop a prominent "hornlike" appearance. This condition is most common in female birds and is believed to be associated with breeding in females and estrogen secreting gonadal tumors in males.
Treatment: Conventional vets recommend to moisten and gently remove the heaped-up material (especially if it flakes and blocks the nares), and applying a little oily lotion, cod liver oil, Dettol or bland ointment.
Polyfollicles, Polyfolliculitis
Polyfollicles is the growth of multiple feather shafts from one follicle. It may cause no problems or may be associated with chronic inflamation in feathers and skin. An itchy pollifelliculitis has been seen in lovebirds and budgies. The tail and dorsal neck area are the most common areas affected. This condition is thought to be caused by a virus.
Poor Feather Condition / Long Molts
Poor feather condition / long molts and flaky beaks suggests the bird's diet is deficient in the limiting amino acid methionine. While methionine is being diverted to feather production we shouldn't be surprised, if the beak suffers a bit. Many other deficiencies could be involved - it rather depends on what you feed him - or more importantly what the bird eats.
Supplementation with Daily Essentials3 and CalciBoost will ensure these deficiencies are prevented and should improve feather and beak condition.
It takes 9-12 months for a completely new beak to grow so the flaked off material won't be immediately replaced.
Malcolm Green, Director - The Birdcare Company, malcolm@BirdcareCo.com
Ringworm
A single bird was seen with a patch of feather loss on one side of its body associated with a thick, grey, flaky skin. This proved to be a case of ringworm due to infection with a Trichopyhton fungus. The disease should have been curable but the owner did not want the treatment carried out.
Ulcerative Dermatitis
Ulcerative dermatitis refers to red, oozing, ulcerated skin. The affected area is often swollen and the bird often has an elevated white blood cell count, indicative of infection. Ulcerative dermatitis can be associated with previous trauma, wounds, diabetes and certain intestinal parasites. The bird picks at its skin, creating the ulcers. These sores are frequently itchy, causing the bird to pick at the area more. Bacterial and/or fungal infections may occur secondary to the lesions. Treatment consists of trying to determine the underlying cause, cleaning the wound, using an appropriate topical and systemic antibiotic, and placing a collar to allow the wound to heal. Lovebirds, cockatiels, grey cheeks, amazons and cockatoos are most often affected.
Xanthomas
Xanthomas are yellow to orange thickened, dimpled patches of skin composed of lipids and cholesterol accumulation. The pectoral (breast area), thighs, and wing tips are the most frequently affected. Xanthomas are often invasive as well destructive. Most prevalent in budgies, cockatiels and cockatoos. The cause of xanthomas is unknown at the present time, but high fat diets may be contributory.
NEED A VET?
USA: Find Your Local Avian Veterinarian
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with the AvianWeb visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the AvianWeb Webmaster.
Photo contributions and articles are welcome!
