help!

[spicebirdy]

Hi folks
my pacific parrotlet is suddenly plucking around his vent, now pretty much bald there. Otherwise healthy, he's about 16yrs old. No recent changes.
Suggestions?
Shona

[marie83]

My suggestion is to get him to your avian vet first and foremost. Get him tests because 70% of plucking is thought to be medical or nutritional.
The vent area is a really strange place for plucking to start off from if it is psychological.

There are still things you can do at home in the meantime whilst you are waiting for the vets though. Look at his bathing routine, out of cage time, start training with him if you haven't already. Loads of toys of varying descriptions- foragers, chewers/preeners, noise makers etc. Radio on quietly on a timer for when you are out the house (set it so it goes off for a while in case he wants a nap)

Good luck and keep us all updated.

[liz]

The first thing I thought of was a parasite. Why else would he be after his butt.