unusual mark on beak (added photos)

[marie83]

I've discovered an unusual dark mark on Ollies beak, its pretty small but it definitely isn't usually there. I can definitely say that it isn't any sort of stain from food or dye from a toy etc. It also doesn't seem sensitive to touch either so I dont think he has bashed it one. So anyone ever had this or any ideas?
It seems completely random, not like its sort of grown down the beak as it has only just appeared this past week and its spot on the front center near enough.

[marie83]

Only thing I could find via google is

" However, if the beak quality changes or if the beak suddenly grows rapidly and abnormally it could serve to indicate disease. For example, in fatty liver disease (mainly in budgies eating an all seed diet) the beak overgrows, deteriorates and black/brown spots of hemorrhage are noted on the beak and toenails. "

[cml]

Only thing I could find via google is

" However, if the beak quality changes or if the beak suddenly grows rapidly and abnormally it could serve to indicate disease. For example, in fatty liver disease (mainly in budgies eating an all seed diet) the beak overgrows, deteriorates and black/brown spots of hemorrhage are noted on the beak and toenails. "

Leroys beak went a bit black/darker from the nostrils and a bit down on both sides of the beak. I was initially worried, and asked about it during their full check up. Nothing in tests suggested it was something wrong, and our bird vet said its normal and can be hormonal. Since then its looked the same.

It wasnt a random spot however...Maybe Ollie's bashed into something and got a crack and/or bruise?

[marie83]

Certainly could be hormonal, it is his time of the year lol. Its definitely not cracked and I'm doubtful that its bruised because he isn't sensitive around it at all, not even when it first appeared although he could be.
Still waiting for his latest blood results back so I will mention it to the vet when he calls in case it is tied in with his other symptoms.

[marie83]

I am still worrying about Ollies beak. I'm going to e-mail these pics to the vet as this doesn't seem normal, -the mark or the growth, there seems to be a thick layer of older beak on the top- this has never been so bad before (it does do this sometimes but never like this), nor does it appear to be sorting itself out as it has done in the past.
Its never happened to any of my other birds at all, they always had beak growth in a way that it was barely noticable. As for Ollies bloods we still dont know- apparently there was some sort of problem and he needs a re-test but we will do this via a feceal sample.

Any thoughts?

[Michael]

Looks like a bruise. Sometimes the birds get em and then they travel down the beak until they come out. Kinda like when you slam your thumb with a hammer

[marie83]

That was initially what i thought but then he didn't act sensitive around it so alongside everything else i talked myself into being more concerned about it that I would usually be.

Any thoughts on the growth of the beak? its hard to tell in the picture but the old layer of beak is just as thick as the new beak growing underneath, if not thicker. Normally the older beak sheds bit by bit and with my other birds is barely noticable, ollie has always been more obvious with it but as I said, never like this, its almost like his beak is wearing a shell. Sorry for repeating myself, I guess I just want reassurance as to whether this is normal as in 13/14 years and 23+ birds I have never known it. I'm just after any info that could help the vet get a diagnosis.

[cml]

I agree, it looks just like when you get your nail jammed somewhere, and the bruise is under it. It takes forever for those kind of bruises to disappear on humans, Im guessing it will take a long time on Ollie as well, if that what it is (I hope so, because that would be relatively harmless).
Also, remember that bruises dont hurt after a few days, on humans anyway (I assume it will be the same with animals), which might be why he shows no reaction when you press the area with the mark.

With regards to his flaking beak, and sort of "shell-like" appearance, thats exactly how both Stitch and Leroys beaks looked before when I was concerned that their beaks were growing (I posted this a while back). I asked the vet about it, and it was nothing, just a normal occurance. It doesnt happen as much to parrots in the wild, as they wear down their beaks much faster, but its harmless.
At the visit the vet groomed their beaks a little as they were already under for their full vet exam. The beaks looked polished a little while, and now they look normal again. I wouldnt worry about it!

Btw, Ollie is a very handsome parrot =)!

[marie83]

Thanks everyone. I don't think something like this would normally worry me quite so much, its just with everything else thats been going on over the past year I'm jumping on every little thing that appears abnormal that might lead to a diagnosis. Its driving me crazy arrrrghhh. Ollies still sleeping loads although when he is awake he is pretty active, his weight is still on the low side compared with his "normal" and his feathers still seem to be breaking off, although at a much slower rate than when it first started happening. Harlie seems pretty good but still doing the screaming when preening. We are sending off some more poop samples this coming week so hopefully we will get some answers soon.

Btw, Ollie is a very handsome parrot =)!

I have to agree here but of course I am biased lol.

[friend2parrots]

i agree with the posters above that the reddish mark on Ollie's beak looks like a bruise - he may have crashed into something some time back and the beak just grew out now.

the scaly growth on the beak - my Ringo has had something similar on his beak for a long time. when i last took him to the vet (late last year) the vet said he was healthy, and his beak growth scales or whatever you call it looked just like Ollie's. my vet did not advocate beak trimming or filing for it. he just did not see it as a point of concern.

my very best wishes for Ollie and Harlie - I assume that by "Ollie's bloods" you meant the tests your vet sent to Germany previously - I hope you are able to find out more from the fecal samples.

p.s. Ollie looks so sweet in these photos