Not again :(

[marie83]

Test results finally back after whats felt like forever. All negative again. I don't even feel like negative results are good news any more. Just need to know whats wrong now. Ollies not even using his hut tonight, he is huddled under his lamp which he has never ever done before, he always goes in his hut, even the other week when he seemed really cold.

I don't know what happens next, sending the vet the pics I've put on here recently as he hasn't seen Harlies bald spots.

[Baylee4ever]

Have You tested them for allergies? Even tho allergies arent contagious.

[Eric&Rebecca]

Marie, I am so sorry to hear you haven't had any answers. Our avian vet is really good, Dr Brian Stensen,a specialist in cockatiels, parakeet and conures. He is in London but maybe you could ask him for advice. He works at the Midland Vetinary Clinic, Leyton. They have a exotic and avian hospital in Wanstead so their may be another vet who could help your existing vet on this case even if it remotely. He has been an avian vet for many many years.

[marie83]

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9987

Link to shaking thread. (just making an attempt to keep things together, wish I had put it within this thread now)

[marie83]

A couple of times now I have found a dry biscuity lump in the cage (ollies) when I've got up in the morning. Its exactly the same colour as his pellets is and I am assuming he has regurgitated overnight and it has dried out. I'm not overly concerned as it has only been twice but I don't really understand the regurgitation, I thought birds only did it to "feed" something, I know this might include toys etc but where the lump is is nowhere near anything he might be trying to feed.
I then wondered because of the randomness of it if it was actually vomit but I heard when birds vomit it tends to splash/get shaken around but this is one perfectly formed lump more or less.

Ollie has also been doing the shaking most of this morning.

[Eric&Rebecca]

That is true Marie, our avian vet said if a bird vomits you will know all about it! Their faces get sticky and the vomit is usually like a white-brown clay like substance or clear which will end up all over their plumage and head and surrounding cage. This is accompanied by violent head shaking normally. They can't control themselves as much as we can when we vomit. (From our avian vet)

Regurgitation occurs for a number of reasons other than feeding. It can be for a mate as a sign of affection and also to mark territory in some extreme cases. Birds have been known to regurgitate on their owners or favourite toys. This tends to be more placed and tidy...

It could be a particularly large poop or regurgitation as you said.

The shaking could be down to itching. Our cockatiel started this during molting and it's the same as the video from what I could see. Our vet just said he was itchy however it could be something different. It would link with the irritation of his wounds though. So not too sure on that bit.

What are the checking for now? And what were the previous tests for?

Have they looked at polyfolliculitis- it can cause deep wounds such as this and is caused by a virus which would explain how your other bird has now got it too. Itchy polyfolliculitis is seen commonly in parakeets but occurs in all pstaccines it causes irritation, bald patches and occassionally weeping wounds. While is usually manifests in the chest and tail area it can be seen under the wings and legs. There was a poster with it on in our vet surgery and I've only just thought of its significance.

In this case antibiotics probably won't work, it would need an ant-viral drug as it's not a bacteria..

[Eric&Rebecca]

Or perhaps ulcerative dermatitis...
My vet has a journal on skin things I located from my work where I can hack academic PDF's can't send the link unfortunately ..

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 although bald patches are the first sign of infection. Ulcerative dermatitis can be associated with previous trauma, virus, 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 and if caused by a virus is passed to other birds. Treatment consists of trying to determine the underlying cause, cleaning the wound, using an appropriate topical and systemic antibiotic or antiviral (dependent on cause), and placing a collar to allow the wound to heal. Lovebirds, cockatiels, green cheeks, amazons and cockatoos are most often affected.

Sounds very similar.

[marie83]

Thank you. Definitely not poop I don't think. Ill get back to you all on what has been tested for as I'm losing track and waiting for the vet to send me a list.

[marie83]

Rightio, I spoke to the vet today, we are going to re-test for giardia. He actually suggested treating for it anyway right as I was about to ask for a re-test, so I've told him I dont mind paying for a re-test to be sure. We are going to do it via the feacel method atm as it is none invasive doing it that way but I'm going to ask about the ELISA.

I completely forgot to ask about polyfolliculitis and ELISA testing because I wasn't actually expecting to get to speak to the vet himself since I was mearly asking the receptionist to check he had recieved my e-mail.

He says he will call again tomorrow to arrange the re-test and send me a complete list of tests and what they were for over the coming weekend which I will post on here as soon as I recieve them.

[Eric&Rebecca]

and ulcerative dermatitis. It sounds exactly like it and the pictures in the vets looked a lot like it too!

Its so great you're so committed to taking care of your birds I hope you get some results soon