Andy just rang with Harleys test results.
He is clear of any infection, mites or anything sinister but does have folicleitis, an irritation of the outer layer of the skin.
This could be caused by poor diet or environment but given Harley has a lovely clean cage and good food it`s most likely caused by himself plucking.
Andy feels that pulling out a feather whilst initially painful then relases feel good endorphines and he gets a sort of high from it.

We are keeping him on the Metacam for now and also giving him a drug which is VERY safe, has no proven side effects and blocks that endorphine, so there will be no reward from pulling out feathers.

Hopefully that will stop him as it will be merely painful with no reward.

Then the skin irritation will go down too.

Well, i do hope so, he hasn`t picked at his stitches at all and Andy says it`s not a cut and dried psychological thing with him as there are no linked behavioural issues with it.

So he has to order in the meds and start him as soon as they arrive twice a day then call him in 3-4 weeks.

I feel quite sad really.
Scarlett

Thanks Shell.
It`s a relief in one way that it`s nothing serious and Andy hopes this drug will stop him getting the buzz out of plucking and therefore stop altogether. He`s not doing it because he`s miserable or anything.
Scarlett

Bless him, and you for going along every avenue to find out the cause of Harley's problem.  Now you know what you're working with it may become easier. 

 

I know what you mean about feeling sad when you find out what's wrong with them.  I felt the same when I found out that Benji had gout forever, now I just try everything to make his life easier and pain free.

 

Harley's a lucky little boy to have you and Tristan, I do hope the medication helps to clear his problem.  In the meantime he's happy, safe and secure and very much loved and that's the most important thing.

 

Sue

Not sure how I feel about this as if there is a medical problem you can treat but given the scenario described it doesn't sound easy to resolve but then plucking never is.

Sending positive vibes and the VERY best wishes that the new meds work. As ever, keep the updates coming together with new pics, I just love him, he is soooooooo gorgeous.

Thanks guys, will do xx