Medications for hormonal macaws???

[Jun]

I went to my AV today for the yearly checkup and complete panel tests for 2 of my parrots. I ask the AV regarding my rehomed GW, Boo Boo, regarding his behavior and his plucked feathers. The vet mentioned an injectable medications to control hormonal behavior for birds and also to help my GW with his feathers (he mentioned the name of the medication but I forgot). Have you guys heard of this kind of med and is it safe? What's your thoughts on using this meds for behavior modification and to help my GW regain his feathers?

[Michelle & Fids]

I personally have never used meds for this, but know others that have. I would want to research the med itself and see what others had to say about it in particular.

[Jessalyn Eaton]

Someone here or on PC told about giving her bird meds and it is working great. I just can't remember who it was. I'll go and try to remember.

[MaryG1959]

PLEASE BE VERY VERY CAUTIOUS. I TRIED CLOMIPRAMINE FOR A MUTILATING PARROT, SHE IS NOW PASSED AWAY AND BURIED IN MY FRONT YARD. These medications were not created for birds!!! Please try some chammomile tea or anything natural you can think of to calm.

[Michelle & Fids]

I think Jess is thinking of Betty's post about the meds. Here's a link to her post: Feather picking, another opinion

[MaryG1959]

After my experience with Clomipramine (generic or not) I would never ever recommend it to anyone. My Lucy acted like someone with cerebral palsy....she couldn't stand up or hold her head still enough to eat an almond.

[BettyDee]

I am so sorry about your parrot, Mary. I've not heard of any problems with Clomipramine, but every bird is different, just like people. That is the way my B&G acted on Haldol and I swore I would never give a bird meds for picking again. The only reason I even considered it is explained in my post that Michelle linked to.

Having said that, I actually came here to post an update on my plucking B&G.
She was doing great, and then all of a sudden one day she picked her breast again. She still has a few more feathers than she did pre-medication, but for some reason, she has removed quite a few of the new ones. I don't know what the connection to the medication is, if any.

It's not something I'm going to lose sleep over. She and her brother Ace are what they are, feathers or not. I may not renew the med this time. I want to talk to my vet first before I make a final decision. It sure was impressive at first, though.

I also do think it's very important to remember that herbal remedies can also be very toxic. For instance, Pluck No More can be dangerous for some birds. Just my two cents.

[MaryG1959]

Congratulations on your success.

Frankly, my featherless birds are just going to be featherless.....the only reason I attempted clomipramine is because of Lucy's mutilation. Otherwise, I'd just let her do her own thing.

[Jun]

I wish I can remember the medication the vet told me. It is administer intramuscular. He told me that it only last for a month and he only administer or recommend it during breeding season to help calm down an aggressive/hormonal parrot. He also mentioned that it might help with feather plucking. Since my Boo Boo (GW) is both I am actually thinking of trying it and see if it might help. I will keep you all posted and thank you all for the input.

[Jessalyn Eaton]

Originally Posted by MaryG1959

After my experience with Clomipramine (generic or not) I would never ever recommend it to anyone. My Lucy acted like someone with cerebral palsy....she couldn't stand up or hold her head still enough to eat an almond.

Awww, that is so sad! Poor Lucy!

Thanks Michelle, that was what I was trying to remember!