Q: Our cockatiel, Megalo, has become quiet lately. His appetite is good and his droppings look normal. But he hasn’t been singing much since we returned from a vacation trip. All he wants to do is sit on his perch and ruffle up his feathers. Our guy has always been a talkative bird, so I think he might be sick. Should we take him for a checkup?
A:
Cockatiels and all caged birds present a real challenge because they don’t show outward symptoms of illness until they’re very sick. This makes early diagnosis and treatment difficult because most birds are very ill by the time they show any obvious signs like ruffled feathers. So I think you should follow your intuition and have Megalo examined by a veterinarian right away. He could have a serious health problem. Hopefully, he’ll soon be singing his avian arias once again.
Q:
Henry the Cat has been acting a little strange lately. He’s a good hunter and still brings us his weekly mouse or gopher. But now he spends a lot of time licking his tummy. He’ll spend an hour or more licking and now his fur over that area looks different. It’s very short, almost a stubble. He’s eating well and seems to feel good otherwise. But we think he’s almost obsessive about his grooming, especially on his tummy. No fleas, thank you. He gets monthly meds. Any ideas?
A:
There are several possible explanations for Henry’s overly-attentive grooming. Besides fleas, other parasites (including skin mites) can make your kitty itchy. Usually, they leave some sort of evidence on the skin; small red dots (papules or pustules) or flaky dandruff can be evidence of certain skin conditions.
But there are other conditions that can cause excessive grooming, including an obsessive/compulsive disorder. Veterinarians describe this as neurogenic or neurodermatitis. Neurodermatitis is probably more common than many think. And in may cases, it’s relatively easy to treat. Sometimes all it takes is a little more playtime with your kitty to get rid of some of that unspent energy. Catnip is great for cats that need more exercise or playtime. A catnip toy or some catnip spray might be just the thing to get Henry started. Anything to get him to run around. You could also take him for leash walks outside using a shoulder harness. Many cats really enjoy this kind of social interaction with their human companions. And it doesn’t matter how far you walk. Just wandering about the yard, spending time together will help to keep his mind away from grooming.
Check Henry’s skin for any little lesions or flakes of dandruff. If you see something, he needs a checkup with his favorite vet. Otherwise, you can try getting his mind off his tummy with some playtime or walks. But if he continues to overly groom, he’ll still need to see the vet. Refractory cases of neurodermatitis can be effectively treated with medications that are safe and easy to administer.
Q:
We’re planning on raising some baby chicks and keeping chickens for fresh eggs and some fun. What’s the best time of year to get some chicks?
A:
I always recommend waiting until the weather warms a bit in early spring. You can start earlier, but you’ll need a proper setup to keep your new babies safe. A warming light works well, but be careful to keep it a safe distance from the hatchlings to prevent anyone from getting too hot. There’s lots of reading material available at the library showing how to build a coop and how to raise chickens.
Perhaps the most important thing to consider is the enclosure you’re going to build. Your new feathered friends will need protection from any hungry hunters that might come in your yard. Besides the usual threat from neighborhood cats and dogs, you might have nighttime visits from possums, raccoons and perhaps even some coyotes or fox. So your coop will need to be built with adequate protection in mind. Plan ahead and make it comfortable and safe for your chickens. Then you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the whole experience. There’s nothing more fun than watching little chicks scurrying around looking for bugs and seeds. And you’ll love hearing hens sing after they’ve laid an egg. It can be a real chorus when you have several busy hens.
