FEATHER PICKING IN PET BIRDS

An extremely common and difficult clinical problem frequently presented to the avian practitioner is the feather picking pet bird. Due to the multifactorial etiologies that are potentially responsible for this problem as well as the clients' desire for a pet bird which appears normal, these cases can be difficult to successfully control or resolve. Appropriate familiarity with the species presenting to the clinician, extreme detail to the history, appropriate physical examination and observation techniques, knowledge of the differential diagnoses, and familiarity with the normal process of feather preening and social behavior of these birds will have direct influence on your clinical success. Equally important to your success with these birds is the knowledge of what laboratory tests are indicated, when they are indicated, how to interpret these results, and the ability to have your diagnostic and therapeutic approach well-understood by your clients.

A systemic approach to the feather picking pet bird is not entirely the only way to diagnose and approach these clinical cases when they are presented. Numerous references are available as to the diagnostic approach to the feather picking bird, and these should be part of a collection which is constantly referred to and updated by each avian practitioner. The practioner MUST balance the knowledge of the systematic approach to feather picking with an understanding of differential diagnoses by species and other clinical considerations at the time. This balance comes in part from a true familiarity with the species presented to you - this may take years of actual exposure to these birds in practice as well as numerous hours of continuing education to achieve. The other portion of this balance comes from a detailed knowledge of the basic anatomy, physiology, nutritional requirements, differential diagnoses, and diagnostic approaches indicated for the "generic feather picker".

Recommended references that should be kept by the practitioner should mandatorially include Clinical Avian Medicine and Surgery by Harrison and Harrison, Caged Bird Medicine - Vet Clinics of North America - March 1984, and Feather Picking in Psittacine Birds - A Clinician's Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment, from AAV Proceedings 1986.

CLINICAL APPROACH TO FEATHER PICKING IN PET PSITTACINE BIRDS

Routine protocol for initial investigation of feather picking as a clinical complaint in pet psittacines begins with the receptionist. Any acute onset feather picking complaint is addressed at this practice as a significant problem mandating the scheduling of a physical examination and data base as soon as possible. Forwarded concerns to the client over the phone should include the multiple causes of feather picking which include in some cases significant and life threatening disease processes. Also forwarded to the client is our concern that feather picking can be habitual regardless of what the primary underlying cause is unless resolved as soon as possible.

History:

Collect comments from the client regarding - How long has picking been occurring?

Are there any changes in the home environment?

What is the actual consumed diet? (Not what is offered)

What is the reproductive status?

What is the nature of the bond(s) with home members?

Does this bird itch?

Are there any other observed clinical symptoms?

Physical Examination:

Re-confirm the species you are examining. You are an "Avian practitioner" - KNOW your patients!

Mentally review the likely causes of feather picking that are known for this species.

Observe the bird in detail while collecting your history.

CAREFULLY go over all physical aspects of your patient preferably IN YOUR CLIENT'S PRESENCE.

Eyes, ears, nares, and choana must be individually examined.

Completely examine the integumentary system - ALL feather tracts, skin, beak and nails.

ALL physical examinations include body weight in grams.

Comment on relative flesh (weight) for size of the bird and species.

All African and Australian species must have a comment regarding presence or absence of PBFD lesions.

Describe the distribution of feather picked sites.

Differential Diagnosis:

Establish your differential diagnosis for your client.

List these in the likely order of priority from greatest to least probability IN THE MEDICAL RECORD.

Recommend Your Diagnostic Approach:

NO diagnosis is made without supportive laboratory work!

Any data base on a psittacine bird MUST include a minimum of CBC and choana / vent bacterial assay (cultures, gram stains)

The common recommended data base here includes chemistries; (Ca, SGOT, CPK, GLUC, TP, URIC ACID); CBC; Choana and Vent culture screen. Frequent ancillary tests that should be considered in specific cases would include:

Fecal trichrome stain

Giardia IFA

Skin Biopsy

Feather pulp cytology / culture

Formulate Your Plan For Your Client:

ie: Initial data base will be taken and interpreted, further diagnostics may well be indicated based on the initial findings. BE SURE THAT YOUR CLIENT UNDERSTANDS THE PLAN.

Not all lab screening need be done in all cases initially!

Consider the value of an individually designed data base with no chemotherapy pending initial results.

Interpret Your Data Base:

Is there a clearly established diagnosis?

Can you differentiate between primary and secondary diagnoses?

Establish Your Treatment Plan:

Eliminate ALL established primary and secondary diagnoses.

Your client must understand the need to establish the elimination of all documented abnormalities via repeat laboratory testing following clinical resolution of the problem.

Because of the prevalence of primary and secondary psychogenic etiologies, all organic abnormalities that are identified can easily be only secondary events.

Therefore, regard clinical success with guarded optimism.

The old axiom " Once a feather picker, always a feather picker " carries a lot of clinical truth!

At this practice, we rarely recommend the use of Elizabethian collars. The psychologic ramifications of E collar use inappropriately can be significant and irreversible. THIS IS NOT A CURE!

POINTS OF CONSIDERATION FOR YOUR CLIENTS:

FEATHER PICKING IS BASICALLY A MAN - MADE PROBLEM.

FEATHER PICKING IS MOST COMMONLY MULTIFACTORIAL, AND IN MOST CASES NOT AN EASY PROBLEM TO ADDRESS.

ONE SHOULD BEWARE ANY PROPOSED "CURE" FOR SUCH A BROAD BASED SYMPTOM SUCH AS FEATHER PICKING. (WHAT "CURES" HAIR PULLING BEHAVIOR IN PEOPLE?)

CLIENTS SHOULD BE PREPARED IN MANY CASES FOR A DIFFICULT AND POTENTIALLY COSTLY BATTLE WITH THIS PROBLEM.

DIAGNOSTICALLY, THE CLINICIAN'S OWN MENTAL APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM WILL BE THE MOST LIMITING FACTOR TO SUCCESS.

GOOD CLIENT / PATIENT / DOCTOR RAPPORT SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTES TO SUCCESS.

CLINICIANS SHOULD ALWAYS QUESTION THE NUMBER OF ETIOLOGIES IN A GIVEN PATIENT AS WELL AS THE PRIMARY OR SECONDARY STATUS OF EACH DIAGNOSIS.

NO TRUE COMMENT CAN BE MADE REGARDING HEALTH STATUS AT THIS PRACTICE WITHOUT PE, CBC, AND CHOANAL / VENT BACTERIAL ASSAYS AS A MINIMUM BASE. THESE THREE ITEMS TRULY CONSTITUTE THE AVIAN PHYSICAL EXAMINATION.

Information Provided by:

Brian L. Speer , DVM, DIP, ABVP, ECAMS

Certified in Avian Practice

European-Certified Avian Specialist

The Medical Center For Birds

3807 Main Street

Oakley , CA 94561

Phone: 925-625-1878 Fax: 925-625-8511