Avian vet / beak trimming question

[wolf0994]

I asked this question at the end of my 2 week update but I think its better left on its own thread. I have now had Kawie 2 weeks and he has adjusted very very well. The former owner had said she had been remiss of getting his nails and beak cleaned up. She normally had a vet come twice yearly to do it. When she brought Kawie over she said she trimmed his nails for me but I would need the vet to do his beak.

I am all for that as that is not something I would want to attempt since I am brand new to bird ownership and I know there is a quick in their beaks etc. The question I have is the vet that has done it in the past is just a general vet that makes house calls. I would prefer to have an avian vet do this and also perform a good overall check on Kawie. The problem is where I live there doesnt seem to be anyone that really specializes in Avian medicine. I have found one website that has a vet who claims to be part of the Assoc of Avian Vets but the AAV website doesn't list her. The only one they do list isnt even practicing out of a clinic and I have no idea how to find him.

I want to do what's best for Kawie and being in the medical field myself maybe I am too paranoid that a general vet couldn't do exactly what needs to be done. So I guess I am asking how the members here would go about finding a good vet they can trust with their birds? Mozzie mentioned letting the vet who knows Kawie do his wings/nails (and prob beak) this go round and then look for an avian vet. I appreciate that advice and that is most likely exactly what I will do. I was just trying to save trips of having this vet come and then an avian vet come shortly there after to do a good check up on Kawie.

 

[MaraWentz]

You're best bet is to go to an avian vet. The beak is a vey important thing to groom if it is needed, but rarely is it actually needed but some do buff it up. Avian vets are hard to find and usually live forever a way. It's worth the money and drive. In my search I can across a hospital who offered grooming and when I brought my bird I they told me they could not groom her because she fought back. I told them to towel her and they refused saying that their birds were typically small little ones that stood up and were groomed without even being held. Later I went to a non avian get in an emergency appointment and he said he was experienced in birds and ended up Putting my bird under for a simple blood test and he did there on table. Turned out he was experienced in wild life birds like ospreys,etc.

 

[oled]

Just thinking that a general vet could be experied also regarding perrots so maby you should check if there isent a avian vet in a resonable distance

 

[Sulphiria]

Check hayden nevill. Hes the closest to you in fairbanks. Number is valid... 907-888-8268. Hes listed as a certified avian vet.

 

[wolf0994]

Yeah he's the one that as far as I can tell isnt working out of a clinic anywhere. I have done several searches for him in the phone book and online and cannot find anywhere where he practices at. I never tried calling the number as I assumed it was a home number with the address being a PO Box. Being in the medical field I know I really dislike it when patients call me at home, if they happen to find that number.

Just tried to call it, its a cell phone with a voice mail. I am thinking he is more of a freelance maybe wildlife guy.

 

[Sulphiria]

Yeah, thats what i figured too. Hopefully it leads somewhere for you. id rather pay a certified avian vet to come to the house, lol

 

[Spiritbird]

Why don't you take a photo of your bird's beak and let us see how sharp it is. As said before seldom trim beaks.

 

[wolf0994]

Will do as soon as I get home from work. It's nothing I would consider extra long from other pictures I have seen. I was merely going off of what the former owner told me that she does. She claimed it was necessary twice a year. My book I ordered the day I bought the cage for him over 2 weeks ago still hasnt arrived. So other than the wonderful people here and some internet searches I am kinda in limbo. I think the net searching is great but anyone can put anything on there so I dont always trust it. I would rather hear it here from real owners or from an avian vet.

 

[wolf0994]

So that Dr just texted me... lolz. Amazing! He said works out of one of the clinics when he is in town. He doesnt use their number since he isnt always there. But he gave me the number to sched an appt. Now I have to figure out how to get Kawie in a carrier to get him over there. I might have to buy a smaller "travel" cage and coax him in with treats. Best I can think of. I will still be posting a picture of his beak when I get home though, if it can wait a lil bit or if it doesnt need to be done then I will just schedule a check up instead of the beak trimming.

 

[Sulphiria]

I wouldnt recommend a beak trimming, its rare it needs it. Heres my cags beak so you can see. He turned and bit my phone right after that last pic, lol.

 

[wolf0994]

Here is my Kawie. I had to include the first pic as he is like... what the heck are you doing with that phone! Then he gave me a nice profile pic.

Forgive any spaghetti residue you may see. He feasted prior to his glamour shots.

 

[Sulphiria]

Looks good to me, but im no expert. he is so handsome!

 

[Ronald]

Usually beak trims are only done if they are having trouble using it or it is starting to look uneven. He looks fine, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[wolf0994]

Awesome, thanks guys!