Scabby skin - what is this and what to do?

[Kerli]

Hi all!

My cockatiel is 9 years old, always been very healthy and with absolutely flawless plumage. I wash him and the cage once a week.
A few weeks ago, he started to scream in pain while he was stretching his wings. At first I thought it was because he's changing his feathers and the new growing feathers hurt him a little. But as it kept continuing, I decided to take a look under his wings. I gave him a bath first so I could see more clearly. I noticed these scabs under the wing.. I have no idea what these are and what to do. He is acting normal - he's eating and drinking, but when he stretches and screams - it breaks my heart. I am asking you because unortunately there's no avian specialist here in Estonia, just one vet who knows very little about treating birds..

I took some photos of this condition. If anyone knows what these are, please let me know and tell me what to do. Thanks.

[laducockatiel]

That looks pretty serious. I would recommend you take her to the vet ASAP.

[Michael]

Might have had a night fright and busted some feathers. It's not bleeding so there probably isn't much you can do. Keep an eye on weight and food intake. I think it will probably heel on its own but keep an eye on it that it doesn't get infected.

[viki]

get some aloe vera oil and chamomile tea and spray it on him. aloe veras very good for healing

[Kerli]

Thank you for your quick answers!

He is definitely not plucking his feathers, he's never done it and I've been keeping an eye on him for a while now - I haven't seen any unusual behaviours yet. He looks happy and normal - he is eating well and drinking enough water. He maybe looks a little tired (but he usually is while changing feathers).
Our vet said it could be parasites and we could try using antiparasitics (xeno mini drops). I was told in another bird forum that it should be safe and we should try. What do you think? Do you have any experience with antiparasitics?

Using aloe vera and chamomille tea is a great idea, meanwhile I will try that! I was also advised to put a little pure aloe in the bathing water - I might try that too because he seems to feel better after bath.

[liz]

Hi all!

My cockatiel is 9 years old, always been very healthy and with absolutely flawless plumage. I wash him and the cage once a week.
A few weeks ago, he started to scream in pain while he was stretching his wings. At first I thought it was because he's changing his feathers and the new growing feathers hurt him a little. But as it kept continuing, I decided to take a look under his wings. I gave him a bath first so I could see more clearly. I noticed these scabs under the wing.. I have no idea what these are and what to do. He is acting normal - he's eating and drinking, but when he stretches and screams - it breaks my heart. I am asking you because unortunately there's no avian specialist here in Estonia, just one vet who knows very little about treating birds..

I took some photos of this condition. If anyone knows what these are, please let me know and tell me what to do. Thanks.

How do you wash him? Rain Tropical spray does great for Rambo and Myrtle. The tiels like it too.

[Kerli]

I wash him by using a spray bottle (I do not use the shower head) and I always use clean, slightly warm water. From time to time he can use a bird bath.

Does anybody know how to use aloe vera - oil? drops? gel? Can I use the gel straight from aloe leaf and do I need dilute it with water?

I will try the camomille tea tonight and check the skin again. Maybe I'll be able to take some better pictures of the skin too. I'll keep you updated.

[viki]

my suggestion would be using the oil and mixing it with water and spray it on him
but someone may have a better idea
i do think mayb the parasite thing is worth a try...mites often leave something similar on dogs and cats, johnsons have a mite spray, but if u can get something perscribed or advised by ur vet all the better. a mist of johnsons after the course of antiparasite shouldnt hurt and would be a safe guard against any mite eggs, if it is mites

[liz]

I don't know where you are but it is 8:17 pm here. If you have not come up with a solution, put a little olive oil on a cottom ball and dabb it on the dry area to ease the discomfort until you can get to the vet or get a suitable medication.

I would not put mite medicine on a thing like that unless I was sure it was mites. It is a form of poison to kill the mites and there is no use exposing your baby to additional discomfort if not necessary.

[Kerli]

I was thinking the other day and - parrots can have allergies, right? Could it be an allergy to something?

I have sprayed the spots with camomille tea and right now I gave him a bath with a bit of pure aloe. We'll see how it goes. He seems to be okay, he was really active yesterday - he sang and danced all day long!
I gave a closer look to the skin today and I found a few scabs on his back. But neverthless it seems a little better to me - those scabs look smaller than they were before and he doesn't scream that often while stretching his wings.

I will keep using these methods as I don't want to use any medicines before I am sure what it is.