If feather cysts are caught in the early stages how do you treat them or are they something only a vet can treat?

Kaz knows this one :hap:

I am sure Kaz will answer on her behalf but from I remember her saying they can be removed with surgery but it is highly likely they do come back in different places because it seems to be genetic.

I am sure that the feather needs to be surgically removed

In my experience with feather cysts on a practical level....feather cysts just keep coming back. If not in the same area a new area. The budgie has a propensity for it generally through heredity.

In some earlier feather cysts the smaller swelling can be expressed with gentle pressure and the offending feather that is stuck beneath the skin in the feather follicle may often come out under pressure with what looks like fatty cyst sort of material.

Any other treatment for worse conditions I will NOT divulge on the open forum as those with less experience or training than myself may try to do thing that puts the bird in jeopardy. Be very aware that any inexperienced corrections done on a bird with feather cyst issues can and often does result in profuse bleeding which can be hard to stop.

In my experience these birds rarely recover to a time where they are without feather cysts. Some I have had with feather cysts in wings go on to develop them also at the base of the tail. After trying to save and cure many...I truly believe now its a waste of time. A waste of time due to the fact its an ongoing and worsening condition on the whole. The only time it is fixed and does not reappear is if the feather follicle has been damaged by an injury and the cysts are not due to heredity.

This is only my opinion in having personally experienced it with birds I have owned.

Thanks for your opinion, i wanted to know incase Jack developed another cyst but if you are saying that feather cysts if they are hereditary keep occuring then Jack's cyst was probably caused by the injury.He is 7 years old and this is the first cyst he has had.

Time will tell some genetic issues don't come out until we get older, I hope he will be okay.

Thanks for your opinion, i wanted to know incase Jack developed another cyst but if you are saying that feather cysts if they are hereditary keep occuring then Jack's cyst was probably caused by the injury.He is 7 years old and this is the first cyst he has had.

Thats exactly what I think about Jacks cyst as well In my experience feather cysts start early in life...so Jack will be fine.

Edited August 21, 200817 yr by KAZ

Sorry about that but I meant to add that it was probably caused by the trauma and time can tell if it is genetic or not. When you do a google you will find that it is more commonly genetic in blue gold macaws & canaries. Typed too fast and distracted by the kids waking up....