Feather Loss And Feather Destructive Behavior In Pet Birds
This study is authored by two veterinarians. First they review testing and diagnosis of medical causes of feather loss in psittacine birds, (including malnutrition, viruses, allergies, dermatitis, and other primary illnesses), as well as environmental factors that impact feather health, and common feather loss diagnoses for which evidence is limited. The authors observe that the companion animal environment often fails to address basic psychological and biological needs of companion birds, causing stress-related feather destructive behavior. They discuss simple ways that guardians can provide environmental and mental enrichment, to better emulate the stimulation psittacine birds encounter in the natural environment, such as “giving the bird a job” through training, appropriate toys, and more interesting forage items. They also address pharmaceutical and barrier treatments that may be used when intervention is necessary, with special attention to collars that may be tolerated when collaring is unavoidable. They note that complete remission of established feather destructive behavior can be difficult to achieve, and encourage veterinarians to incorporate more education of guardians about bird needs into veterinary visits.
[Abstract excerpted from original source.]
Feather loss in psittacine birds is an extremely common and extremely frustrating clinical presentation. Causes include medical and non-medical causes of feather loss both with and without overt feather destructive behavior. Underlying causes are myriad and include inappropriate husbandry and housing; parasitic, viral and bacterial infections; metabolic and allergic diseases; and behavioral disorders. Prior to a diagnosis of a behavioral disorder, medical causes of feather loss must be excluded through a complete medical work-up including a comprehensive history, physical exam, and diagnostic testing as indicated by the history, signalment and clinical signs. This article focuses on some of the more common medical and non-medical causes of feather loss and feather destructive behavior as well as approaches to diagnosis and treatment.