feather plucking

[roy]

Hi there
ive had my cag for 7 months now but know how old reggie is but since ive had her always had a problem with feather pluckin. I have brought some stuff called pluck no more you spray it on her and put it in the water for her to drink which it aint helped at all. Its not boredom its just one spot on her neck she has always pulled the little white fluffly feathers that look like down feathers the ones that keep her warm in the winter. Reggie is friendly i can hold her scratch the back of her neck her even kisses me on the lips does everything that parrots normaly do can anyone help me please, as ive ran out of ideas please help me someone

[Cockatielsongs]

Have you taken her avian vet or speacialist?
If you haven't I really recommend you do.

[roy]

Yes I've taken her to the vet's & got the all clear

[Cockatielsongs]

What did the vet say about it?
You also might want a second oppinion from another vet.

[Grey_Moon]

What exactly did the vet check for?

At a minimum---a biochemistry profile and CBC should be done. This checks organ function, immune system/blood cell status as well as key nutrient (ie calcium) levels.
On top of that, you'll want an x-ray and a gram-stain as well as a parasite check. Yeast and giardia can cause that sort of neck plucking.

Parrots who target one area excessively often have an underlying physical cause. My grey has an enlarged proventriculus and overgrown nails and thus plucks the sides of her body and down to her legs due to probably the inflammation and discomfort. She doesn't touch any other feathers on her body but that chest/back area is plucked bald.

You'll also want to check diet and see if the little one has allergies or issues with preservatives and other things.

Do not bother with the pluck no more as it is basically a very strong sedative (and some of those ingredients are NOT good for parrots). Also, the best results are obtained with clear water (I've tried every spray out there) because anything that leaves a residue or changes the texture of the feathers they see as dirt and preen and pick harder trying to get it off.

A good idea is a drenching bath every day.

[marie83]

Everything grey moon said.

Also does your parrot regurgitate alot? I went to a talk earlier this year by one of the best avian vets in the UK , neil forbes. He said frequent regurgitation can cause the crop to become sore from the stomach acids and that can cause alot of plucking round the neck area in birds.

If your vet hasn't done all the tests grey moon suggested then take your bird back or find another vet for a second opinion. You need to request your birds records are sent on to any new vet so they know exactly what the other vet has done.