Swollen Chest

by Sam
(Salem, Ohio, USA)

My quaker parrot developed a lump in his chest in about 15-20 minutes - I don't know what's wrong with him. I do know that my parakeet did the same thing shortly before he died... so I'm worried. He's a young bird, eats plenty of food, and is generally healthy. The only thing that's wrong with him is that he does pluck out his chest feathers.. So I don't know if that's connected? Any advice on a swollen quaker parrot chest, and anything I could do?

Comments for Swollen Chest

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Jan 02, 2013
 Swollen chest
by: Anonymous

Is it a lump on the chest itself or upwards near the throat, almost like an Adam's apple? I have a Quaker also and she was a plucker when she was given to me. After she plucked her throat and chest completely bald, I too saw a lump there. It would come and go and I was told it was her crop full of food. If you had another bird with the same affliction and it died, I would get this one to the vet as soon as possible.

Quakers are known for feather plucking and self mutilation. After my birds' feathers were gone, she would tear her skin and bleed so much I thought she would bleed out and die. There was no pattern to the plucking, she did it when I was at home, she would do it when I wasn't there, she even did it while sitting on my shoulder. I gave her plenty of attention and toys to distract her but she would still do it.

I think she might have been nervous because I did have a cat at that time. It never bothered her, I think just it's presence in the house might have freaked her out. The cat passed away last year and my bird stopped plucking and her scabs healed and feathers are growing back. When I leave the house I put the radio on to keep her company.
Jan 02, 2013
 bird with chest swollen
by: Tracie

Your last experience tells you what needs to be done this time, you need to take the bird to an avian vet ASAP. Please use this Find an Avian Vet link to find an avian vet for your bird so it can be examined to determine what is wrong and what the potential treatment might be.

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