my bird is losing all of her feathers. about two years ago this exact issue came up. with a mix of medication, she regrew all her feathers within a month or so. the same issue has returned, and the meds are not working. she is a 17yr old blue jay.
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my bird is losing all of her feathers. about two years ago this exact issue came up. with a mix of medication, she regrew all her feathers within a month or so. the same issue has returned, and the meds are not working. she is a 17yr old blue jay.
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Hello and welcome to ExpertHelp.com! My name is Marc O'reilly and I'm going to do everything in my power to answer your question to your full satisfaction!
I’m available to chat now. Please let me know that you are ready by posting a response. I’ll leave my chat session open for the next 15 minutes or so and wait for your reply. If I don’t catch you this time, please respond with a few times (including your timezone) that work best for you and we can connect then.
I hope this helps. it can be a very stressful time to believe a loved one is not well and I hope this relieves your worries thank you. M.O
Everytime this year, I make two related observations. First, the number of Google searches on "bald Blue Jays" skyrockets. Second, I start seeing bald Blue Jays in my yard.
Blue Jays go through one complete molt a year in late summer. This molt usually proceeds in an orderly fashion so that you barely notice that it's going on. But Blue Jays (as well as Northern Cardinals) often experience a complete molt of their head and maybe even their neck feathers. Nothing is wrong with the bird and the feathers will grow back.
But for a period of time until they feathers return, they do look rather odd. Get out a pair of binoculars and look for bald jays in your yard. Let me know if you see one.
Here is a link that may help you to feel better thank you.
http://feederwatch.org/community/participant-photo/bald-stage-of-a-molting-blue-jay/
Unfortunately, this is not the issue. As she has had this situation since November. I also first thought this was the issue. The vet that once seen her gave me medication to help her, and it no longer seems to help. Sadly she passed last year and since she is a blue jay, regular vets won't see her. As for her condition, while it does appear similar to your images, they don't depict all of her symptoms. For instance, she is losing feathers along her back and also along the elbow of her wings. The most telling issue is you can see her pink skin. Bare and irritated. I can provide images if necessary.
Yes that would be great pictures will help me to get a better understanding and also could you provide a description of medication and dosage. the case may be that with certain medications the body can build up an immunity something stronger may be required. I will also look for natural home remedys that you may be able to bathe her in. if this is suitable for you let me know thank you for your patience.
Absolutely. It will have to be tomorrow as I am at work right now. I will take current pictures as I don't have any on my phone and get every information on the meds she has been on. Thank you so much for responding.
Deficiencies of minerals, such as calcium, zinc, selenium, manganese and magnesium, may be associated with brittle, frayed feathers and itchy skin. There may be alterations in color or discoloration of feathers. The plumage can appear dull. Feather loss and moulting disorders can occur.
Patchy feather-loss on a bird can be a sign of Vitamin A deficiency, which can be treated by supplementing your bird's diet accordingly. Patchy feather loss can also be caused by ringworms.
An abnormal molt occurs on some birds, causing them to lose all of their head feathers at once. The birds may be juveniles undergoing their first prebasic molt. It's also possible that feather mites or feather lice may cause baldness.
*Dietary: Poor feather condition / long molts and flaky beaks may be the result of a diet deficient in the essential amino acid "methionine." The requirement for methionine tends to increase when accumulated levels of toxic substances in the body increase.
High levels of methionine can be found in sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, Brazil nuts, fish, meats, eggs, as well as various lentils. Significant amounts can also be found in spinach, potatoes and boiled corn.
Supplementation is another option for birds that don't have access or refuse to eat foods rich in methionine - such as spirulina, which is rich in this amino acid.
Once nutritional needs are met, it may take 9 to 12 months for new, better feathering and the flaky beak to be replaced with a new, smooth one.
Hope this helps for you.
Your very welcome it's my pleasure to help I will be here when you are ready thank you.
Hello and welcome to ExpertHelp.com! My name is Marc O'reilly and I'm going to do everything in my power to answer your question to your full satisfaction!
I’m available to chat now. Please let me know that you are ready by posting a response. I’ll leave my chat session open for the next 15 minutes or so and wait for your reply. If I don’t catch you this time, please respond with a few times (including your timezone) that work best for you and we can connect then.
I am trying to attach these pictures but they seem to be oversized and seem very blurry although they are clear on my phone. Is there another way to get these to you?
I am sorry you may have to alter the size and resolution to make the image clear. try to send it me and I will see if I can still see them.
Did you happen to read all my previous posts about vitamins and nutrition also did you find the medication you was using thank you.
Yes sorry. Here is the directions and dosage of her medication.
The day before her medication starts, she gets a dose of Ivermectin. Which is 3/4tsp to a cup of water. It is the only water made available to her. This dosage is repeated on the final day of her two week treatment.
For the next 10 days, she takes a combined treatment of Amtyl and Ronidazole at 1/4tsp each in a cup of water. This is the only water made available to her and is made fresh every day.
For the next three days she receives probiotic plus at a mixture of 1/4tsp to a quart of water. Her water is changed out every few hours using this mixture. And at the start of the new day, the old mixture is thrown out and new mixture is made every day.
On day 14 she receives her last treatment of Ivermectin.
To answer your post on vitamins etc, we have had her for her entire 17yrs of life. She gets vitamins in her food and water fresh everyday. When she had all her feathers, she has a full enclosure or play room where she gets her exercise. Her loss of feathers as you can imagine has caused her ability to fly to deteriorate making it impossible for her to do so. And we do not wish for her to injure herself. I will try scaling those images of her down.
Hello there. I thank you for your responce and I can see now from the pictures that it can be frustrating for you. with the infomation you provided it seems your veterinary has prescribed. Ivermectin for external mite infection. antibiotics for bacterial infection and Ronidazole is for the prevention and treatment of Trichomoniasis Canker, Hexamitosis, Giardia, Cochlosomosis, in all aviary birds and Pigeons. I am sorry but you are going to have to run your course of medication. if then problems presist then reply back but unfortunately at the moment there is no definite solution because the course of medication if not completed once the course is complicated there will be allot of factors that will be eliminated ie bacterial infections and various other external disease and infestations I am sorry I can't be of more assistance but I will always be here to help after the medications courses are complete. I am sure your veterinary practice are providing the right support and diagnosis. I hope you feel I have helped you in some way. M.O
It has been over two months since her last dose of meds. That is why I am contacting you now. Because there are no vets available to see a Blue Jay, I am left with the limited resources of online vets. This is a persisting problem. As the meds should have shown some indication of effectiveness by now.
How long has she been off all meds and did she complete full course of all medication.
It has been over two months, and she has completed the full course of meds
Are there any other symptoms apart from moulting.
None that I am aware of
Ok thank you for that.
Should there be other signs to look for when dealing with feather issues? Besides flaking and mites that I believe are not present. No loss of appetite. Drinks plenty of water. Very active and interactive. Still sings and "talks" to us.
I hope these few pointers help the only other thing to look out for is puffy and weeping eyes.
once again I hope this helps thank you.
Yeah she doesn't have those for sure.
Hello there just a quick message to ask how you feel about my service and was my answers and support helpful to you. if yes could you please click the link below so I can get paid for my time and effort thank you. also if you find anymore infomation or if your blue jay gets worse don't hesitate to message me back thank you.
Lynn Roberts
Veterinarian
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