First vet visit

Birdmom12

Birdmom12

New member
Jan 21, 2019
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Parrots
Parakeet named Blue. Adopted from a Humane Society 5 years ago.

Kirby Cockatiel adopted from a humane society 2018.

Also a slew of other small birds that span my entire childhood.
Hey everyone,

We have our first vet appointment coming up for George in April. I was told he would be anesthetized for his visit. Is this normal? I have never taken a bird to the vet before so I have no idea whats common practice. Hes getting his blood work done, his test for psittacosis, and a nail trim.

The great debate on whether to clip his wings is also on the chopping block. I'm strong on the not doing it... however, others are considering it because hes become a bit of a jerk. Likes to fly at you sometimes its for a shoulder ride...other times its to dive bomb you. (hes a working progress, and your typical I want to be a one human bird)

Thoughts, advice, suggestions?
 
No, anesthetisation is not common procedure at all. I would seriously call and ask your avian vet why your bird would need that. Blood work, beak and nail grooming, even x-rays - all can be done without sedation. It can be quite risky as birds are more sensitive and can easily pass away, even with an experienced vet. I've only been ok with Cairo going under sedation because he was seriously dying and the only way presented to me was to sedate him to put a catheter port in. Other parronts are a bit more relaxed, but we've had cases where the birds don't make it.

As for wing clipping, it's entirely up to you. I'm on the no-clip, but that's largely because of Cairo's history and upbringing (a free-flyer since he fledged).

I do forget, though, how old is George? If he's still practicing flight, then maybe let him practice a bit more for confidence and good, healthy exercise before you clip. If he's a mature adult who is not going to grow anymore in size (or ego :p), then you should be ok to clip him healthwise. As far as I'm aware, Amazons don't pluck when clipped (apparently ekkies are known to start plucking when they get clipped).
 
I have never heard of putting a bird under for a checkup. I would RUN in the other direction to find someone that knows what they are doing.

IF on the other hand there is some GOOD REASON for this it should be explained up front.

My opinion is the Vet just wants to avoid getting bitten and putting a bird under for any reason is very delicate and risky.
 
Birdmom12 said:
Hey everyone,

We have our first vet appointment coming up for George in April. I was told he would be anesthetized for his visit. Is this normal? I have never taken a bird to the vet before so I have no idea whats common practice. Hes getting his blood work done, his test for psittacosis, and a nail trim.

The great debate on whether to clip his wings is also on the chopping block. I'm strong on the not doing it... however, others are considering it because hes become a bit of a jerk. Likes to fly at you sometimes its for a shoulder ride...other times its to dive bomb you. (hes a working progress, and your typical I want to be a one human bird)

Thoughts, advice, suggestions?
Click to expand...

Run the other direction, a good vet won't put a bird under due to risks involve if not needed? No that not normal for the exam part and blood work part, or nail trim.

Now for PBFD psittacine, or ABV tests then yes as skin has to be tested as well.
 
My CAV put Sunny under because she was not really that tame and in a fair amount of pain at that time- and a pissed off macaw can do some serious damage.
(and she was stil suffering from a broken wrist at the time, the vet- not Sunny- so it was safer for everyone.)

I am not sure how feisty George is?
But I can imagine thats why they opted for a slight "damper on things"/ usually full anaesthesia is not necessary, they can just give him the nosedrops to relax him if he cannot be handled the way he is.

If "knocking a bird out" is the norm... run away!
 
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ParrotGenie said:
Birdmom12 said:
Hey everyone,

We have our first vet appointment coming up for George in April. I was told he would be anesthetized for his visit. Is this normal? I have never taken a bird to the vet before so I have no idea whats common practice. Hes getting his blood work done, his test for psittacosis, and a nail trim.

The great debate on whether to clip his wings is also on the chopping block. I'm strong on the not doing it... however, others are considering it because hes become a bit of a jerk. Likes to fly at you sometimes its for a shoulder ride...other times its to dive bomb you. (hes a working progress, and your typical I want to be a one human bird)

Thoughts, advice, suggestions?
Click to expand...

Run the other direction, a good vet won't put a bird under due to risks involve if not needed? No that not normal for the exam part and blood work part, or nail trim.

Now for PBFD psittacine, or ABV tests then yes as skin has to be tested as well.
Click to expand...


Thank you everyone,

Yes he will be tested for psittacosis along with a regular blood work up to establish a base. As far as I know he has never seen a vet in his 17 years (thats how old we were told he is but unsure) Now I am a little worried though about the being put under aspect of this visit.
 
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Let me rephrase this. When I made the appointment I made it very clear this was our first large bird/large bird vet visit. They simply replied with we should do these tests and he will be anesthetized for them and that I should not feed him for 12 hours leading up. After everyone's remarks I have reached out to another avian clinic although further away to see what they offer.
 
If they are wanting to do an x-ray, some vets will anesthetize..It TOTALLY depends on your bird (mine does x-rays without issue). If your bird is super scared of other people, a heart-attack is a possibility during the exam and/or blood work. That having been said, I haven't heard of a bird being put under anesthesia for a check-up (and anesthesia with a bird is risky)....You should definitely get blood-work done though...so find a vet who can do it, and consider testing for other diseases like PDD/PBFD etc (just while you are at it, as these can be asymptomatic, but are contagious).
 
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OMG skip these guys...12 hours of non-food is ridiculous!
(thats dogs and cats-times, not birds! Even ferrets are allowed to eat till a few hours before.)

A simple blooddraw should not require a full anaesthetic (even if they do a cloaca-swap instead of bloodtest for psittacosis -> just toweling the bird should be enough!) unless the bird is non-tame and really freaking out.

Mine got the full knock-out gass because the nosedrops did not have enough effect/ calm her sufficiently. They always try the less harsh way first.
(The greys just get held by hand and blood is taken from the neck, no toweling needed.)
 
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Thanks everyone. Totally at a loss on what to do now! The other avian clinic in our state won’t take new clients at this time 🤦🏻*♀️ They referred us to a veterinary college and said maybe they can help us. I call them tomorrow.
 
Veterinary colleges are often quite good (depends...but seriously!)
 
In nearly thirty years,Amy has been knocked out ONCE...and that was to have five stitches in his tongue after Smokey gave it a good chomp!
I agree with everyone else here,run the opposite direction as fast as you can!
OR tell them under NO CIRCUMSTANCES to be put under,and make sure YOU ARE THERE watching! Do NOT let them take George into another room without you watching every step!




Jim
 
I wouldn’t allow my bird to be put under unless he needed a bone set or surgery or something major. It’s a sign of an incompetent vet who has little experience with parrots that they would need to put a bird under for routine tests. Many regular vets are intimidated by parrots big beaks and not trained or confident in proper restraint procedures so it’s easier for them to put the bird under. Basically, they don’t want to get bit and that same inexperience with birds makes it EXTREMELY dangerous because they also aren’t experienced in the proper amount of anesthesia necessary and can kill a bird by accidental overdose.

Go to an avian vet, a certified avian vet if at all possible. Do not visit the vet who won’t admit they’re inexperienced and intimidated by parrots.
 
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Kise got K.O. four times. I agreed with the vet for doing that for Pete's Sake of removing her broken feathers.


I rather agree to that than having the broken of her sternum from falling!



It took six months, she is now a flying bee!!! :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:




​
 
My Sam is 36 and a regular nut job at the vet. We once had another vet come into the room and ask if we were killing the bird LOL. That being said, I would NEVER allow anesthesia for a regular visit/blood work/tests. These birds are very sensitive and can die from sedation. Sam goes to the vet twice a year, once for all of the tests. Our CAV does everything, including vaccinations, blood, stool sample etc. with no anesthesia. Only a towel is used. No, Sam doesn't like it but he survives. I would think long and hard about sedating a 17 year old Amazon who has never had a health checkup. You don't know what kind of problems he may have, and could be putting him at risk for no reason.

Perhaps you should go in and talk to the vet and ask why they want to sedate? If it is just for the vets safety, I would look elsewhere.
 
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Thanks everyone. Being new to this its nice to have advice from all of you who are well versed in these things.

This vet we found is about an hour or so away. He was recommended by a local vet because this guy at one time had half of his practice Avian Medicine. The issue I'm running into when I ask people if they are certified is "uhh" or "yes we see birds we can do xyz"

This is just absolutely amazing how much of a "specialty" CAV are! Its also completely ridiculous! Right now George appears in good health...outside of some long nails. My main concern is though what if he does get sick? What if hes at the bottom of his cage struggling to breath? I do what? Just sit and watch...

Wish us luck the search continues today.
 
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Feeling much more confident now. Called the University this morning and have an appointment for next week. I asked first thing if they put the birds under for exams. The receptionist said... "uh, I don't believe so, not for that" and acted as if I asked the most ridiculous question around.(sigh of relief) They said we would do a nail trim, a routine physical and consultation, and they would check his beak to see if it needs a trim. From there we would talk about tests he might need/recommend.
 
Yay! I'm so glad to hear you have access to the university vet team - it sounds like an all around good opportunity with the best healthcare for George and a good learning experience for the students :)
 
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