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sveta
Flutterer
Joined: 11 Jan 2007
Posts: 171
Location: Canada, British Columbia |
| working on the beak |
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Hi,
As I mentioned before Dobby has a beak problem  He cannot nibble on his mineral block unless i break it up into tiny pieces which makes it totally useless. Any suggestions on what I should do abouut his beak are welcome. Is it possible to make it a treat as well as a beak-trimer?  P.S. he is to young to have a cuttle bone, or so his breeder told us. |
Thursday June 14, 2007 3:33 am |
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jletaz
Experienced flier
Joined: 28 Feb 2007
Posts: 1282
Location: CA, USA |
Sveta,
Just curious, what is it that is wrong with Dobby's beak? Did you know about this problem when you got him?
Julie |
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Thursday June 14, 2007 5:12 am |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7399
Location: Canada, Toronto |
I would like to know what is wrong with his beak as well.
What do you mean by if you break up the mineral block into little pieces for him, it becomes totally useless? The composition of the block doesn't change if you break it up, so he would still be getting calcium from it.
I've never heard of such a thing as being too young for a cuttle bone. My lovebirds had cuttlebones since they were babies, and always used it. |
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Thursday June 14, 2007 1:58 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7952
Location: Australia |
I think from a previous post she said that he has an overgrown underbeak, or otherwise known as underbite. I think... |
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Thursday June 14, 2007 5:02 pm |
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jletaz
Experienced flier
Joined: 28 Feb 2007
Posts: 1282
Location: CA, USA |
quote:
Originally posted by Cheeta
I think from a previous post she said that he has an overgrown underbeak, or otherwise known as underbite. I think...
There's Bih, always looking in back posts before asking  Yeah, I know I really should do that myself! Sometimes I feel too in a hurry 
Julie |
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Thursday June 14, 2007 6:34 pm |
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jletaz
Experienced flier
Joined: 28 Feb 2007
Posts: 1282
Location: CA, USA |
Sveta,
I want to ask, but please know I am trying to say this as gently as possible... Did you purposely pick out the baby with the handicapped beak? Were there others to choose from? PLEASE everyone understand that I am not being cold, and I think it is great that our precious handicapped babies are loved and cared for just like anyone else, so that being said, I am just simply curious 
Julie |
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Thursday June 14, 2007 6:37 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7952
Location: Australia |
lol. Julie, you're funny.. hehe
I didnt' go back in the posting... hehe, I remembered reading it not too long ago, but like I said, I'm not 100% confident that that is what is wrong with the beak though.. like I said... I think.. hehe |
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Thursday June 14, 2007 6:37 pm |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7399
Location: Canada, Toronto |
Bih, correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't an overgrown beak be seen by a vet for a proper diagnosis as to what is causing the overgrowth? I understand that sometimes beaks can overgrow naturally, but I remember reading that it could also be a sign of malnutrition, mites, or liver disease. Am I correct? If so, I wonder if Dobby has been seen by an avian veterinarian. Also in a situation like that, where the beak is growing abnormally, I don't think mineral blocks or cuttle bones are sufficient in keeping the overgrowth in check. Wouldn't he need regular beak trimming? |
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Thursday June 14, 2007 8:32 pm |
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jletaz
Experienced flier
Joined: 28 Feb 2007
Posts: 1282
Location: CA, USA |
quote:
Originally posted by shirin
Bih, correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't an overgrown beak be seen by a vet for a proper diagnosis as to what is causing the overgrowth? I understand that sometimes beaks can overgrow naturally, but I remember reading that it could also be a sign of malnutrition, mites, or liver disease. Am I correct? If so, I wonder if Dobby has been seen by an avian veterinarian. Also in a situation like that, where the beak is growing abnormally, I don't think mineral blocks or cuttle bones are sufficient in keeping the overgrowth in check. Wouldn't he need regular beak trimming?
Because Dobby is just a baby (I think??) I was thinking more of a malformed beak rather than overgrown? If it is just several months old, it wouldn't even have time to overgrow 
Julie |
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Thursday June 14, 2007 9:15 pm |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7399
Location: Canada, Toronto |
quote:
Originally posted by jletaz
Because Dobby is just a baby (I think??) I was thinking more of a malformed beak rather than overgrown? If it is just several months old, it wouldn't even have time to overgrow
Julie
And is there a difference between malformation, and overgrowth as far as possible causes? Like is malformation in babies a genetic defect in every case, or could it also be a symptom of some sort of illness or from malnutrition? |
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Thursday June 14, 2007 9:21 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7952
Location: Australia |
well I really don't know about conures, but in budgies, it can just happen, like it's just genetics defects, and also it can be malformed because of food sticking to the top of the beak when it was a baby which causes the beak to grow differently. but it's too late by the time you realise it's growing differently.
But there may be other reason why it is growing faster. I really am not too up on that. sorry. |
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Friday June 15, 2007 3:43 am |
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Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10061
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Overgrown or malformed beaks can have other causes.. Like Ziya's bird Kiwi has it because he was bitten by his African grey. |
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Friday June 15, 2007 8:13 am |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7399
Location: Canada, Toronto |
OK, I found the article I had read before. It says that in an overgrown beak can be a sign of:
Liver disease
Knemidocoptes mites
Polyomavirus-like infection
Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD)
Vitamin D3 deficiency
Soft food
Malnutrition
Old trauma
http://www.peteducation.com/ar.....cleid=2752
so I guess it's best to get a proper diagnosis by a vet, and find out what the underlying cause is. |
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Friday June 15, 2007 2:49 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7952
Location: Australia |
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Shirin, I think the 'overgrown beak' that the article is refering to is in fact the upper beak (Maxillary beak)... I think Sveta is talking about the bottom beak... basically the top beak sits inside of the bottom beak rather than the over it like normal birds. I think it the article you posted, it is called Prognathism.. Well at least that's what I was referring to anyway.
here's a quote from the same article about that...
quote:
Prognathism or "Parrot Beak:"
Mandibular prognathism occurs when the tip of the rhinotheca rests on or inside the gnatotheca. This developmental abnormality is most commonly seen in cockatoos. The cause of this condition is unknown, and may include genetics, improper incubation, and hand-feeding techniques. It is rarely seen in parent raised birds. It is thought that when parent birds hook onto the chick's rhinotheca during feeding, they help to promote the normal development of the chick's beak.
As with scissors beak, treatment varies with the severity of the condition and the age of the bird. For some chicks, applying finger pressure several times daily may help, as will using a piece of gauze to apply traction to the upper beak during feeding. In an older bird, in which the beak has calcified, treatment generally involves the placement of an acrylic appliance on the beak. The type of appliance varies depending upon the extent of the problem.
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Friday June 15, 2007 4:04 pm |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7399
Location: Canada, Toronto |
Oh I see, so it's not overgrowth after all but rather a deformed beak. I guess I should try reading her original post where she actually said what was wrong with the beak
By the way Bih, can you check out the pellets and their poisonous ingredients thread, I believe sveta needs some advice on proper diet for a budgie. I thought you could share what you feed your budgies with her. |
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Friday June 15, 2007 4:50 pm |
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