Lovebird attacks self

by Joei
(Florida)

I have a 4 year old female Creamino Lovebird who started attacking herself a little over 2 yrs. ago, and I am desperately seeking solutions.

She started > 2 yrs. ago when she ripped one of her right toes, nearly bled to death, was in Univeristy of Florida's vet hospital for quite a few weeks due to inability to leave the amputation site and bandages alone. She was on painkillers, antibiotics and even gabapentin! She eventually healed and has left the amutation site alone since.

However, a few months after, she began attacking her right wing. The vet has done bactrial testing, has looked at the cel structure of the site, etc, and all is normal. The feathers do not appear to be growing in abnormally. The only explanation that I can come up with is neurosis...

She has been living with her custom-made lightweight e-collar for about 1.5 YEARS now and just a few days ago sge gas started to try to rip aprt the collar with such diligence that she appears to have been cutting off some circulation to her head as evidenced by some bruise- like splotches of coloration in her skin around her eyes.

The collar has been the only thing keeping her from atacking herself, when I take the collar off so she can preen the maximum time she's gone before attacking herself again was 2 weeks, and now the collar (the only thing that keeps her from attacking her wing flesh and bleeding to death)is causing issues due to her incessant attempts to shred the collar.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have taken her to the vets so often that I have quite literally spent thousands upon thousands of dollars on my little birdie but I am no longer financially in the position to run to the vet. Chickie is very well cared for... she gets lots of attention, Harrison's bird food, clean water, clean cage, organic snacks, a UV light atop her cage... So, environmentally, she's very well cared for, even spoiled.