Growth on Nare

Question
QUESTION: Have a 20 y.o. female U2.  Noticed a growth on one of her nare


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s. No discharge at all. Took her to an experienced Avian vet. He had never seen anything like it before.  Gave me some drops & medicine. No help.  Have you EVER seen any type of flat hard growth that starts to grow down over the nare hole? Could this be a mite problem?  Too much protein?  I'm really at a loss.  The vet was very mean to her and I've searched the web for any one describing this problem. I'm at a loss here.  I live in Los Angeles. Any help you can give me would be very appreciated.  I'm exhausted from researching and worrying about my baby girl.

Thanks,
Mick












































































ANSWER: Hello Mick,

Did the 'avian' vet biopsy the growth. Did he run an avian blood panel? Did he do a skin scraping to check for mites? My first recommendation is to get a second opinion. A biopsy and a blood panel would give you more information on the growth and the overall effect it is having on your bird's health.

Unfortunately I'm unfamiliar with avian vets in the Los Angeles area. Here is a link to the Association of Avian Veterinarians so you can do a search. Was your vet a member? At the very least a practicing avian veterinarian should be a member of this organization.

http://www.aav.org/

As to what it could be I can only give you possibilities. I have seen growths like you describe before. Growths are not that uncommon. Possibilities are a simple skin tag, tumor, herpes, a fungus, injury, bacterial infection, etc.

To properly treat your bird I recommend a second opinion and request a biopsy and or skin scraping and an avian blood panel.

Good luck to you.

Jennifer
www.feathersandscales.com

Follow up -

As I have stated in my bio I am not an avian veterinarian. I cannot and will not diagnose any medical condition. It would be unethical of me to do so and not in the best interest of your bird. All I can do is guide you in what questions and tests to ask your avian veterinarian for. As I stated I have seen many growths on birds (including umbrella cockatoos) caused by the illnesses I listed. You can ask your avian veterinarian to test for these illnesses. I am sorry that you were not able to use my answer to further seek answers from your avian veterinarian.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Oh Jennifer - I hope you didn't take any offense from my answer.  I really to appreciate your response and I know you answered to the best of your ability. I'm just frustrated that in the big city of L.A. that I can't find a specialist in this field.  These tests you mention will cause her serious trauma. She is incredibly phobic and unsocialized.  If I have to do these tests and put her and I through all the trauma, I just want the vet to know what he or she is doing and how to handle her.  The vet I took her too is a well known Avian specialist, but he was horrible to her.  Really mean and rough.  
She looked like she had been through a war by the time he just looked at her!  No blood work, no scraping.  Just the basics.  I have printed out your response and will use it in my search for help. Again, I appreciate your help.  Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Mick

Answer
Hello Mick,

The tests I recommended performed by a qualified avian veterinarian should not cause any harm or trauma to your bird. They are basic and routinely performed tests. It was clear from your first question that you had concerns about your avian veterinarian which is why I still recommend you find a second opinion.

Here is the direct link to all of California's AAV members. Hopefully this will help your search.

http://www.aav.org/activemembers.html#c

Unfortunately without the tests I mentioned you and your avian veterinarian are not going to be able to further help your bird. I hope you are able to find a veterinarian that you are comfortable with.

I wish your bird well.

Jennifer