Feather Destructive Behavior and Self-Mutilation

Transcription

1 Feather Destructive Behavior and Self-Mutilation The phrase feather plucking is commonly used to describe behavior that ranges from mild over-preening through self-mutilation. The avian practitioner will see many degrees and patterns of feather destructive behavior. There is no doubt that feather plucking is one of the leading reasons that pet birds are brought to the veterinarian. It is also one of the most challenging and frustrating syndromes seen in practice. Feather plucking seldom has a single etiology. Chronic lick-granulomas of dogs are a similar syndrome. These are also frustrating, with multiple contributory factors. There may be medical reasons for the initial production of the lesion (an abrasion, atopy, etc.) but behavioral factors are often involved in the exacerbation and chronicity of the condition. However, before we label either of these conditions as primarily behavioral, it is prudent to thoroughly explore potential medical problems. Also, as with canine lick granulomas, extensive client communication concerning feather plucking in birds at the onset will help the client to realize that the odds are NOT in the favor of a simple cure, nor necessarily ANY cure. Our goal is to verify or improve the health of the bird, and to reduce or eliminate the plucking behavior if possible. Possible etiologies for exacerbation of feather plucking are listed below: Medical conditions 1. Endoparasitism (especially Giardiasis in cockatiels) and occasionally tapeworms or roundworms. 2. Ectoparasites, although rare, will occur on occasion. The red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) is the most common ectoparasites involved in actual feather plucking.

2 3. Hepatic disease. Regardless of the nature of the hepatopathy, pruritus associated with liver dysfunction may cause plucking. 4. Coelomic cavity granuloma or mass. 5. Neoplasia (this will tend to cause localized plucking of the area associated with an underlying mass). 6. Folliculitis/dermatitis. These conditions can be primary, or secondary to excessive plucking and/or mutilation. Bacteria, virus, fungus or yeast may be involved. In lovebirds, a condition called chronic ulcerative dermatitis (CUD) is frequently encountered. This is likely due to a Herpes virus, and tends to be a chronic and/or recurrent condition. Mechanical barriers such as Elizabethan collars are often necessary to prevent severe self-mutilation. Secondary infections with bacteria and occasionally fungus or yeast necessitate treatment. Even when healing has occurred from one episode, the constraints of subsequent scar tissue seems to incite repeated self-trauma. As with Herpes virus in people, flare-ups occur intermittently, and the condition appears to be a life-long problem in lovebirds. 7. Allergies (though difficult to confirm, a change in environment or diet when allergens are suspected may lead to a decrease in plucking and a tentative diagnosis by elimination). 8. Endocrine abnormalities, the most likely being hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a much over-diagnosed condition, due in part to the lack of established normal values for avian thyroid levels, the low range for baseline T-4 noted in birds and the absence of a reliable TSH response test. Nevertheless, some obese birds that demonstrate a lack of weight loss following a rigid diet, accompanied by poor quality feathers and infrequent molts may be thyroid deficient. The plucking exhibited by these birds is often an attempt to rid themselves of old, damaged feathers.

3 9. Heavy metal toxicity - notably zinc. Barbering and feather plucking from zinc ingestion has been reported. Many of these cases will not have radiographic evidence of heavy metal, and require a blood zinc analysis for diagnosis. Environmental/Nutritional Malnutrition is likely a more common contributing factor to feather plucking than the medical conditions listed above. Basic seed and table food diets often create multiple nutritional deficiencies. These deficiencies cause abnormal skin and feather development resulting in plucking behavior, as well as a myriad of other medical problems that may occur later in life. The dyes and preservatives that are added to seeds and most pelleted diets may be detrimental to birds. This seems to be most common in species such as African Grays, Eclectus parrots, and some cockatoos. The relatively low humidity in most households also has a drying effect on the skin. Being deprived of natural sunlight, fresh air, humidity and the normal light/dark cycle has negative physiological and psychological effects on birds. Behavioral Many times, although treatment of medical and environmental factors may reduce the severity of feather plucking, a strong behavioral component is also involved. It is common to treat for some of the above-mentioned problems and note an initial improvement, only to have a relapse of the condition at a later date. The psychological factors that can lead to plucking are numerous but it is important to remember that all of these are displaced behavior in response to some psychological stressor. Unfortunately, once the stress has been relieved, the habit may still remain. It is noteworthy that feather plucking does NOT occur in the wild. Wild birds are occupied with finding food, maintaining their position in the flock, seeking out and finding a mate, avoiding predators, and breeding and raising young. Therefore, often the best-kept birds with all their apparent needs met, will be the primary behavioral pluckers. Owners find comfort in this explanation, since they often feel responsible for their bird s poor feathering and appearance. Psychological conditions that may cause feather plucking in birds can vary, and opposite situations may cause plucking in one bird, and the cessation of plucking in another. Over-stimulation may cause

4 plucking in a nervous bird. Another bird that was plucking from boredom may feel both stimulated and slightly threatened by the presence of increased activity in the home, and stop plucking in order to pay attention to the environment. This capitalizes on the bird s basic instinct to guard itself against potential predators. Birds that are reaching puberty or sexual maturity may begin to pluck as an outlet for their increased energy and agitation. Owners of these birds will often report that their birds are showing more cage territoriality, more aggression toward one or more family members, and possible sexual behavior toward a perceived human mate or inanimate objects. A thorough understanding of the environment of the bird and the associated behavioral changes that have accompanied the onset of plucking, will allow the veterinarian to make the appropriate suggestions for environmental manipulation to change these conditions. When the anamnesis points to a social or sexual cause of plucking, the veterinarian and owner may elect to combine environmental manipulation with either hormonal or psychotropic medications. Neither of these categories of drugs tends to produce long term positive results, and side effects are possible from several of these medications. The following is a partial list of these drugs, their indications, contraindications, and potential usefulness. Psychotropic Medications 1. Diazepam: This medication seems to be of limited usefulness. Most birds require a dosage that causes sedation in order to deter feather plucking. Oral dosages of mg/kg have been reported, to be repeated as needed. 2. Haloperidol: Anecdotal reports exist of this drug having reasonable efficacy, notably in cockatoos. Serious side effects, including anorexia, hepatic dysfunction, and CNS signs, have been reported. Suggested doses are 0.15 mg/kg q 24 hours for larger birds, and 0.2 mg/kg q 12 hours for smaller species. Best results have been noted with members of the genus Cacatua.

5 3. Prozac (fluoxetine): Reports of the usefulness of this medication have varied widely. A dose of 2 mg/kg q 12 hours is reported empirically. It may be that, as in humans, an initial loading period is necessary for the manifestation of therapeutic effects. 4. Amitriptyline: A tricyclic antidepressant. Anecdotal reports find this drug to be of some usefulness. As with Prozac in people, the maximum effect is not reached for several weeks. Barring side effects, it may be worth a more prolonged course of this mediation to determine its usefulness. Dosages published are 1-2 mg/kg q hrs. 5. Clomipramine 1 mg/kg day. Another tricyclic antidepressant with properties similar to amitriptyline, but variations in individual responses warrants its attempted use in some cases. Hormonal Medications 1. Medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera ). This drug was used for many years as a deterrent to sexual behavior, including feather plucking. Unfortunately the side effects ranged from weight gain, polyuria and polydipsia (PU/PD), and lethargy, to more severe conditions such as hepatopathy, diabetes mellitus, and death. The response of each bird to a given dose varies, and this medication is not recommended for use in routine feather plucking. 2. GnRh Agonist, Depo-Lupron. This drug functions to increase release of LH and FSH. Its efficacy is probably also based on the bird s response to LH and subsequent negative feedback on the production of sex hormones. Dosage recommendations vary, with ug/kg I.M. being within the current empirical dosage range. In addition to the traditional medical therapies, acupuncture has been utilized with some reported success. The use of Omega fatty acids as a dietary supplement has been used to treat feather plucking with some success. Whether this is due to the anti-prostaglandin affect or a true fatty acid deficiency is not certain.

6 An ideal medical treatment is not likely to be found for feather plucking in captive birds. Manipulation of the environment ensuring quality nutrition, and psychological adaptations suited to the species and temperament of the bird offer the best hope for reducing this syndrome. Some useful websites include the following: The maintenance of a non-domestic species in a domesticated environment requires that we use all available resources to ensure the highest quality of life for our avian patients.