Answer

If there is swelling and oozing, a welt-like skin lesion or several, Ulcerative Dermatitis needs to be considered. This usually results from an injury to the skin that infect with bacteria or fungus; or it could be from another underlying condition like fatty liver disease or diabetes.


Since he's on a predominantly seed diet, he's going to be more prone to this and a number of other problems that will result from (as mentioned above) fatty liver disease, diabetes and also tumors.

For right now, keeping the area clean with plain warm water or saline solution (like you'd use to rinse contact lenses) should be helpful. If it remains red or seems to worsen, you can try a very light coating of antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin twice a day. Very, very light and preferably applied with a clean cotton swab each time, not your finger.

Seeing a vet for an injection of antibiotic is far easier and would give more peace of mind about the diagnosis. He's just a baby, I'd like to see him happily brightening your life for another 15 to 20 years with lifespans so extended these days.


That said - here's my obligatory lecture about changing to pellets and fresh foods

A diet consisting mostly of pelleted food supplemented with fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and a good seed mix that does not include sunflower seeds, is your parrot’s best choice.

It’s not easy for some birds to make the conversion, but quite often that’s because their owner is too easily swayed by their demands and fear that the bird isn’t going to eat at all if they don’t get their junk food.

When I take in rescues, one of the most common problems is nutrition. The birds are either terribly underweight or obese. Changing their diet is often a matter of life or death and I haven’t lost anyone to date.

I’ll try every type of pellet out there, whether fruity or plain, spicy or a combination – just be sure to get the size & type appropriate for your individual bird.

Offer a pellet from your fingers as a treat (if your bird is used to taking treats from your fingers that is) and go ahead and try one yourself so the bird can see. I’m serious – try it yourself. Your bird shouldn’t be expected to eat anything that you wouldn’t eat yourself.

I’ve mixed pellets in with cereal too, especially a good, healthy, low sugar type. Try crushing them into an all natural yogurt or baby food of mixed vegetables, sweet potatoes, squash or the like. One of our macaws started to love them when she found them in with her blueberries and other cut up fruit.

I’ve found it’s not a good idea to mix the pellets in with the seeds, but be creative otherwise.

One warning is that if you mix the pellets in with anything wet or even make a ‘mush’ out of the pellets using plain water, a natural, low sugar fruit juice – you must remove the dish (must!) after an hour or two, tops. There’s too much chance for bacterial growth in wet foods and this only makes a problem worse.

While making the conversion you need to monitor your bird very carefully. I strongly suggest getting regular weights.

A gram scale is one of the best investments a bird owner can make since many illnesses are not noticed until pretty far along. With a regular weight monitoring, you’ll know when a weight loss (or gain) trend occurs and may be able to stave off serious problems by catching them early.

I weigh everyone every Saturday morning, right after a dropping. They’ve come to expect it and happily step up on the scale when it’s their turn.

For more ideas and options at conversion, take a look at these links. There are as many ‘right ways’ as there are individuals.

http://www.avi-sci.com/converting.htm

http://www.cockatiels.org/articles/nutrition/convert.html

http://birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww44eiii.htm

http://www.tailfeathersnetwork.com/birdinformation/convertingdiet.php

Let me know how you make out with him ok? I'll be happy to follow along with you on this for however long it takes.

Expert:	S. August Abbott, CAS
Pos. Feedback:	99.6 %
Accepts:
Answered:	10/27/2008

Certified Avian Specialist

Cert. Avian Specialist; Int. Assoc.Animal Behavior Consult; Pet Ind. Joint Advisory Council; author