Changes

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.

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).  

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 psittaci|''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:  

The causes of feather-plucking can be divided up into four categories:  

(1) '''Infectious, contagious or transmissible causes'''

#'''Infectious, contagious or transmissible causes'''

#'''Psychological causes'''

(2)''' Non-infectious and metabolic cause'''

* [[Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease]] (PBFD)

* Ectoparasites (e.g. ''[[Dermanyssus gallinae]]'')

* Endoparasites (e.g. ''[[Giardia]]'' sp.)

(3) '''Environmental causes'''

'''PCR''' should be performed to diagnose PBFD and BFD.

(4) '''Psychological causes'''

Ectoparasites can be identified by performing a '''physical examination''' during the day and night, a '''faecal exam''' is required to diagnose endoparasites.

=Infectious, contagious or transmissible causes of feather plucking=

'''Skin scraping''' followed by microscopic examination and '''culture''' is necessary to diagnose fungal dermatitis. '''Stained impression smears''', '''culture''' and '''sensitivity''' should be performed if bacterial infection is suspected.

* Ectoparasites (e.g. Dermanyssus gallinae)

'''Haematology''' and '''biochemistry''', '''thyroid stimulation test''', '''biopsy''' and '''histopathology''', improving the '''diet''' and '''monitoring the response to therapy''' also help to confirm or eliminate differential diagnoses.

* '''PCR''' should be performed to diagnose PBFD and BFD

* Ectoparasites can be identified by performing a '''physical examination''' during the day and night

* A'''faecal exam''' is required to diagnose endoparasites

* '''skin scraping''' followed by microscopic examination and '''culture''' is necessary to diagnose fungal dermatitis.

* '''stained impression smears''', '''culture''' and '''sensitivity''' should be performed if bacterial infection is suspected.

===Treatment===

 

==Treatment==

Treatment is dependent on the individual underlying infection.

Treatment is dependent on the individual underlying infection.

=Non-infectious and metabolic causes of feather plucking=

==Non-Infectious and Metabolic Causes==

* Bacterial dermatitis

* Bacterial dermatitis

* Pulpitis or folliculitis

* Pulpitis or folliculitis

* Allergy

* Allergy

* Hepatitis

* Hepatitis

* Hypothyroidism

* [[Hypothyroidism]]

* Skin neoplasia

* Skin neoplasia

* Follicular cysts

* Follicular cysts

* Nutritional deficiency (e.g. hypovitaminosis A; B vitamin deficiencies) and essential amino acid deficiencies (e.g. lysine))

* Nutritional deficiency (e.g. hypovitaminosis A; B vitamin deficiencies) and essential amino acid deficiencies (e.g. lysine))

==Diagnosis==

===Diagnosis===

This should be based on a combination of '''history''', '''clinical signs''' and the results of preliminary and secondary '''test results''' as mentioned above.

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===

Treatment is dependant on the individual underlying cause.

Treatment is dependant on the individual underlying cause.

=Environmental causes of feather plucking=

==Environmental Causes==

 

* Over-tiredness

* Over-tiredness

* Poor bathing

* Poor bathing

* Boredom and inadequate environmental enrichment

* Boredom and inadequate environmental enrichment

==Diagnosis==

===Diagnosis===

This type of feather-plucking is caused by the '''environment''' provided for the bird. Therefore a detailed '''history''' may provide clues as to the origin of this behavior. Like psychological causes of feather-plucking, it is a diagnosis of exclusion, with all infectious aetiologies ruled out before confirming it as the diagnosis. The bird should appear clinically normal in all other aspects, unless fumes have caused skin irritation.

This type of feather-plucking is caused by the '''environment''' provided for the bird. Therefore a detailed '''history''' may provide clues as to the origin of this behavior. Like psychological causes of feather-plucking, it is a diagnosis of exclusion, with all infectious aetiologies ruled out before confirming it as the diagnosis. The bird should appear clinically normal in all other aspects, unless fumes have caused skin irritation.

==Treatment==

===Treatment===

 

Over-tiredness should be treated by imposing strict 'bed-times', and providing the bird with a ''''roost cage'''' in a quiet room. The bird should be placed in the 'roost cage' and covered at the same time each night, allowing for a peaceful night's sleep.  

Over-tiredness should be treated by imposing strict 'bed-times', and providing the bird with a ''''roost cage'''' in a quiet room. The bird should be placed in the 'roost cage' and covered at the same time each night, allowing for a peaceful nights sleep.  

Poor bathing should be addressed by''' misting''' or '''bathing''' the bird '''daily''' with '''water'''. This should be done even if the bird appears to dislike water, as bathing is essential for feather maintenance.

Poor bathing should be addressed by''' misting''' or '''bathing''' the bird '''daily''' with '''water'''. This should be done even if the bird appears to dislike water, as bathing is essential for feather maintenance.

Boredom and inadequate environmental enrichment should be addressed by providing '''toys''' for the bird (under rotation) and by encouraging '''independent play'''.

Boredom and inadequate environmental enrichment should be addressed by providing '''toys''' for the bird (under rotation) and by encouraging '''independent play'''.

=Psychological causes of feather plucking=

==Psychological Causes==

 

* Sexual frustration

* Sexual frustration

* Attention seeking

* Attention seeking

* Environmental change or poor routine

* Environmental change or poor routine

* Excessive preening

* Excessive preening

* Secondary to untidy feather or wing clipping.

* Secondary to untidy feather or wing clipping

==Diagnosis==

===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'''.

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 a [[Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease|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 when young birds that '''bonded''' to their '''owner''' which can occur earlier than what is thought to be the natural reproductive age.

Reproductive hormonal pressure ''aka'' '''sexual frustration''' is the most common cause of psychological feather-plucking. It often begins when young birds that '''bonded''' to their '''owner''' mature, which can occur earlier than what is thought to be the natural reproductive age.

Hormonal influences cause the young bird try and gain '''dominance'''over the other members of the flock'''. This relates to behavior in the wild which would result in the bird obtaining a mate, holding territory and having access to enough food, which in turn would allow it to reproduce.

Hormonal influences cause the young bird try to gain '''dominance'''over the other members of the flock'''. This relates to behavior in the wild which would result in the bird obtaining a mate, holding territory and having access to enough food, which in turn would allow it to reproduce.

Captive birds mature more quickly than wild birds, because the owner is providing it with food etc and giving it attention, resulting in a close bond between the two. However, the ‘mate’/owner does not responding in the appropriate manner to the sexually mature bird. ‘'''Displacement behaviour'''’ such as '''feather picking''', '''screaming''' or '''aggression''' develops as a response to this.

Captive birds mature more quickly than wild birds, because the owner is providing it with food etc and giving it attention, resulting in a close bond between the two. However, the ‘mate’/owner does not responding in the appropriate manner to the sexually mature bird. ‘'''Displacement behaviour'''’ such as '''feather picking''', '''screaming''' or '''aggression''' develops as a response to this.

==Treatment==

===Treatment===

 

 

Surgical '''removal of the oviduct''' may provide the best long-term solution in female birds. The picking may become a compulsive habit, in these cases compulsive behavior management and '''anti-compulsive medication''' (as mentioned below) may be indicated.

All the medications should be used in combination with '''behavior  and environmental management'''. '''Petting''' and cuddling should be '''decreased or stopped entirely'''. The cage should be placed below chest height and moved away from busy areas of the house. These actions assert dominance over the bird and reduce anxiety respectively. The cage should be covered up earlier in the day to shorten day length. Surgical '''removal of the oviduct''' may provide the best long-term solution in female birds. The picking may become a compulsive habit, in these cases compulsive behavior management and '''anti-compulsive medication''' (as mentioned below) may be indicated.

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.

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.

Overcrowding should clearly be managed by '''reducing the number of birds per cage''', or providing the bird with a '''larger cage'''.

Overcrowding should clearly be managed by '''reducing the number of birds per cage''', or providing the bird with a '''larger cage'''.

Environmental Change and poor routine should be managed by imposing a '''strict routine''', including set 'bed-times'. Environmental change should be minimised where possible.

Environmental change and poor routine should be managed by imposing a '''strict routine''', including set 'bed-times'. Environmental change should be minimised where possible.

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.

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.

==References==

==References==

Chitty, J (2003) '''Feather plucking in psittacine birds 2. Social, environmental and behavioural considerations''' ''In Practice 2003 25: 550-55''

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]]

[[Category:Dermatological Diseases - Birds]]]]

[[Category:Expert Review - Birds]]