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Created page with "==Introduction== Feather-plucking is a '''common''' presenting sign in birds. Underlying causes are often '''multifactorial''', so diagnosis and treatment of several of the contr..."
==Introduction==
Feather-plucking is a '''common''' presenting sign in birds. Underlying causes are often '''multifactorial''', so diagnosis and treatment of several of the contributing factors may be necessary to produce resolution of clinical signs. It is best to rule out '''medical''' causes before diagnosing the feather-plucking as '''behavioral''' in origin, therefore a thorough work-up is indicated including a detailed history, physical and dermatological exam. '''Referral''' may be considered.
Individual tests such as; '''haemotology''', '''biochemistry''', '''heavy metal testing''', '''sexing''', '''skin acetates''', '''pulp cytology''' and '''faecal staining''' should all be performed in the initial work up to guide diagnosis. Additional tests that should be considered are; ''Chlamydophila'' testing, circovirus testing, coeloscopy, radiography, skin biopsy, crop biopsy and faecal flotation (for ''Giardia'' and other helminths).
The causes of feather-plucking can be divided up into three categories:
(1) '''Infectious, contagious or transmissible causes'''
(2)''' Non-infectious and metabolic cause'''
(3) '''Psychological causes'''
=Infectious, contagious or transmissible causes of feather plucking=
* PBFD (circovirus)
* Budgerigar fledgeling disease (Polyomavirus: French moult)
* Ectoparasites (e.g. Dermanyssus gallinae)
* Endoparasites (e.g. Giardia sp.)
* Chlamydiosis
* Fungal dermatitis
==Diagnosis==
'''PCR''' for PBFD and BFD; '''physical examination''' at day and night for ectoparasites; '''faecal examination''' for endoparasites; '''PCR/ELISA''' (antigen/antibody) for chlamydiosis; '''skin scrape''' microscopic examination and '''culture''' for fungal dermatitis; '''stained impression smear''', '''culture''' and '''sensitivity''' for bacterial infections. Also, '''haematology''' and '''biochemistry''', '''thyroid stimulation test''', '''biopsy''' and '''histopathology''', improved '''diet''' and '''monitoring response to therapy'''.
==Treatment==
Treatment is dependent on the individual underlying infection.
=Non-infectious and metabolic causes of feather plucking=
* Bacterial dermatitis
* Pulpitis or folliculitis
* Allergy
* Hepatitis
* Hypothyroidism
* Skin neoplasia
* Follicular cysts
* Post-traumatic injury, or arthritic or scar tissue pain
* Nutritional deficiency (e.g. hypovitaminosis A; B vitamin deficiencies) and essential amino acid deficiencies (e.g. lysine))
==Diagnosis==
This should be based on a combination of '''history''', '''clinical signs''' and the results of preliminary and secondary '''test results''' as mentioned above.
==Treatment==
Treatment is dependant on the individual underlying cause.
=Psychological causes of feather plucking=
* Attention seeking
* Boredom and separation anxiety
* Overcrowding
* Environmental change or lack of routine
* Sexual frustration
* Excessive preening
* Post untidy feather or wing clipping.
==Diagnosis==
The psychological plucker presents as a '''clinically normal bird''' in all respects '''except for its plumage'''. Bacterial, fungal, parasitic, viral, chlamydial and metabolic aetiologies for feather plucking should be ruled out. The feathers on the '''head''' are totally '''normal''' (if head feathers are affected disease is most likely caused by an circovirus, bacterial or yeast infection). It is most common in '''hand-reared''' birds and plucking is often only done in the '''presence of the owner'''.
Reproductive hormonal pressure ''aka'' '''sexual frustration''' is the most common cause of psychological feather-plucking. It often begins to cause picking in young birds that are '''bonded''' to their '''owner''' even before reaching what is thought to be natural reproductive age.
The hormonal drive provides a natural incentive for the young bird to try to achieve a status in the '''dominance hierarchy of the flock'''. This will lead to success in obtaining a mate, holding territory and having access to adequate food, so that it is able to reproduce.
Captive birds often mature earlier than wild birds, especially when the owner is providing all the necessary advantages as well as stimulating it with a close bond. Consequently the bird reaches reproductive maturity but the ‘mate’ is not responding in the manner that will result in the production of offspring. This often leads to ‘'''displacement behaviour'''’ such as '''feather picking''', '''screaming''' or '''aggression'''.
==Treatment==
Attention seeking should be '''discouraged''' by the owner by '''ignoring''' the bird when it is feather plucking, and then fussing it when it has stopped. Gradually the bird should learn not to feather pluck.
Boredom and separation anxiety should be managed by providing various '''bird toys''' and '''encouraging independent play'''. Ideally the bird should be '''tired out''' by activities such as bathing and play prior to the owner leaving the house. Leaving on a '''radio''' or '''television''' may also help with separation anxiety.
Overcrowding should clearly be managed by '''reducing the number of birds per cage''', or providing the bird with a '''larger cage'''.
Over-preening is considered a type of '''obsessive-compulsive behavior'''. To counteract this, the bird should be encouraged to '''play''' independently and any '''objects''' it may be scared of should be '''removed'''. The '''cage''' may also require '''re-positioning'''. As for attention-seeking, the behavior should not be encouraged. '''Anti-compulsive medication''' may be used.
For birds suffering from reproductive hormonal pressure, some success has been achieved with the administration of '''progesterones''' to decrease the hormonal pressurein sexually frustrated birds but some treated birds become obese, suffer from polyuria/polydipsia, diabetes mellitus or develop hepatic lipidosis. Recently, '''human chorionic gonadotrophin''' (HCG) (500–1000 IU kg-1 i.m.) has shown promise in providing effective, short-term resolution, especially in African grey parrots and cockatoo hens. There have been no reports of adverse reactions with this treatment but it is not always reliable.
'''Tranquillizing agents''' – such as haloperidol – and '''psychotropic agents''' – such as clomipramine and Prozac – have shown some limited effectiveness in some individual cases. These medications can only provide a temporary solution and should be used in combination with '''behaviour modification techniques''' and '''changes in the bird’s environment''' to provide a more reliable response.
'''Petting''' on the bird’s back and intimate cuddling should be '''reduced or eliminated'''. For the '''owner''' to '''assert dominance''' the '''bird''' should be maintained '''below human chest height'''. The cage may be moved to a location away from the main traffic area to reduce the anxiety of seeing the owner without being cuddled. The '''length of the day may be shortened''' by covering the cage earlier in the evening and, in the case of females, surgical '''removal of the oviduct''' may provide the best long-term solution. In some cases, the picking becomes a habit, even though the original cause is resolved and long-term, '''anti-compulsive medication''' may be indicated.
==References==
Forbes NA & Altman RB (1998) '''Self-Assessment Colour Review Avian Medicine''' ''Manson Publishing Ltd''
Chitty, J (2003) '''Feather plucking in psittacine birds 1. Presentation and medical investigation''' ''In Practice 2003 25: 484-493''
Chitty, J (2003) '''Feather plucking in psittacine birds 2. Social, environmental and behavioural considerations''' ''In Practice 2003 25: 550-55''
[[Category: To Do - Siobhan Brade]]
[[Category:To Do - Manson review]]
Feather-plucking is a '''common''' presenting sign in birds. Underlying causes are often '''multifactorial''', so diagnosis and treatment of several of the contributing factors may be necessary to produce resolution of clinical signs. It is best to rule out '''medical''' causes before diagnosing the feather-plucking as '''behavioral''' in origin, therefore a thorough work-up is indicated including a detailed history, physical and dermatological exam. '''Referral''' may be considered.
Individual tests such as; '''haemotology''', '''biochemistry''', '''heavy metal testing''', '''sexing''', '''skin acetates''', '''pulp cytology''' and '''faecal staining''' should all be performed in the initial work up to guide diagnosis. Additional tests that should be considered are; ''Chlamydophila'' testing, circovirus testing, coeloscopy, radiography, skin biopsy, crop biopsy and faecal flotation (for ''Giardia'' and other helminths).
The causes of feather-plucking can be divided up into three categories:
(1) '''Infectious, contagious or transmissible causes'''
(2)''' Non-infectious and metabolic cause'''
(3) '''Psychological causes'''
=Infectious, contagious or transmissible causes of feather plucking=
* PBFD (circovirus)
* Budgerigar fledgeling disease (Polyomavirus: French moult)
* Ectoparasites (e.g. Dermanyssus gallinae)
* Endoparasites (e.g. Giardia sp.)
* Chlamydiosis
* Fungal dermatitis
==Diagnosis==
'''PCR''' for PBFD and BFD; '''physical examination''' at day and night for ectoparasites; '''faecal examination''' for endoparasites; '''PCR/ELISA''' (antigen/antibody) for chlamydiosis; '''skin scrape''' microscopic examination and '''culture''' for fungal dermatitis; '''stained impression smear''', '''culture''' and '''sensitivity''' for bacterial infections. Also, '''haematology''' and '''biochemistry''', '''thyroid stimulation test''', '''biopsy''' and '''histopathology''', improved '''diet''' and '''monitoring response to therapy'''.
==Treatment==
Treatment is dependent on the individual underlying infection.
=Non-infectious and metabolic causes of feather plucking=
* Bacterial dermatitis
* Pulpitis or folliculitis
* Allergy
* Hepatitis
* Hypothyroidism
* Skin neoplasia
* Follicular cysts
* Post-traumatic injury, or arthritic or scar tissue pain
* Nutritional deficiency (e.g. hypovitaminosis A; B vitamin deficiencies) and essential amino acid deficiencies (e.g. lysine))
==Diagnosis==
This should be based on a combination of '''history''', '''clinical signs''' and the results of preliminary and secondary '''test results''' as mentioned above.
==Treatment==
Treatment is dependant on the individual underlying cause.
=Psychological causes of feather plucking=
* Attention seeking
* Boredom and separation anxiety
* Overcrowding
* Environmental change or lack of routine
* Sexual frustration
* Excessive preening
* Post untidy feather or wing clipping.
==Diagnosis==
The psychological plucker presents as a '''clinically normal bird''' in all respects '''except for its plumage'''. Bacterial, fungal, parasitic, viral, chlamydial and metabolic aetiologies for feather plucking should be ruled out. The feathers on the '''head''' are totally '''normal''' (if head feathers are affected disease is most likely caused by an circovirus, bacterial or yeast infection). It is most common in '''hand-reared''' birds and plucking is often only done in the '''presence of the owner'''.
Reproductive hormonal pressure ''aka'' '''sexual frustration''' is the most common cause of psychological feather-plucking. It often begins to cause picking in young birds that are '''bonded''' to their '''owner''' even before reaching what is thought to be natural reproductive age.
The hormonal drive provides a natural incentive for the young bird to try to achieve a status in the '''dominance hierarchy of the flock'''. This will lead to success in obtaining a mate, holding territory and having access to adequate food, so that it is able to reproduce.
Captive birds often mature earlier than wild birds, especially when the owner is providing all the necessary advantages as well as stimulating it with a close bond. Consequently the bird reaches reproductive maturity but the ‘mate’ is not responding in the manner that will result in the production of offspring. This often leads to ‘'''displacement behaviour'''’ such as '''feather picking''', '''screaming''' or '''aggression'''.
==Treatment==
Attention seeking should be '''discouraged''' by the owner by '''ignoring''' the bird when it is feather plucking, and then fussing it when it has stopped. Gradually the bird should learn not to feather pluck.
Boredom and separation anxiety should be managed by providing various '''bird toys''' and '''encouraging independent play'''. Ideally the bird should be '''tired out''' by activities such as bathing and play prior to the owner leaving the house. Leaving on a '''radio''' or '''television''' may also help with separation anxiety.
Overcrowding should clearly be managed by '''reducing the number of birds per cage''', or providing the bird with a '''larger cage'''.
Over-preening is considered a type of '''obsessive-compulsive behavior'''. To counteract this, the bird should be encouraged to '''play''' independently and any '''objects''' it may be scared of should be '''removed'''. The '''cage''' may also require '''re-positioning'''. As for attention-seeking, the behavior should not be encouraged. '''Anti-compulsive medication''' may be used.
For birds suffering from reproductive hormonal pressure, some success has been achieved with the administration of '''progesterones''' to decrease the hormonal pressurein sexually frustrated birds but some treated birds become obese, suffer from polyuria/polydipsia, diabetes mellitus or develop hepatic lipidosis. Recently, '''human chorionic gonadotrophin''' (HCG) (500–1000 IU kg-1 i.m.) has shown promise in providing effective, short-term resolution, especially in African grey parrots and cockatoo hens. There have been no reports of adverse reactions with this treatment but it is not always reliable.
'''Tranquillizing agents''' – such as haloperidol – and '''psychotropic agents''' – such as clomipramine and Prozac – have shown some limited effectiveness in some individual cases. These medications can only provide a temporary solution and should be used in combination with '''behaviour modification techniques''' and '''changes in the bird’s environment''' to provide a more reliable response.
'''Petting''' on the bird’s back and intimate cuddling should be '''reduced or eliminated'''. For the '''owner''' to '''assert dominance''' the '''bird''' should be maintained '''below human chest height'''. The cage may be moved to a location away from the main traffic area to reduce the anxiety of seeing the owner without being cuddled. The '''length of the day may be shortened''' by covering the cage earlier in the evening and, in the case of females, surgical '''removal of the oviduct''' may provide the best long-term solution. In some cases, the picking becomes a habit, even though the original cause is resolved and long-term, '''anti-compulsive medication''' may be indicated.
==References==
Forbes NA & Altman RB (1998) '''Self-Assessment Colour Review Avian Medicine''' ''Manson Publishing Ltd''
Chitty, J (2003) '''Feather plucking in psittacine birds 1. Presentation and medical investigation''' ''In Practice 2003 25: 484-493''
Chitty, J (2003) '''Feather plucking in psittacine birds 2. Social, environmental and behavioural considerations''' ''In Practice 2003 25: 550-55''
[[Category: To Do - Siobhan Brade]]
[[Category:To Do - Manson review]]