Feeling a little discouraged...

[Blancaej]

So I've had Savannah for a week as of yesterday. The day I picked her up I took her to the vet so I could get that out of the way. By this past Monday I was able to take her out of her cage on a stick and pet her. I was able to feed her by hand, pet her beak and head through the bars and she would come up to the cage to see me. I can tell we were bonding! She enjoyed me being around!

Well some of you may have read, we had to take her back to the vet yesterday because they didn't draw enough blood for her blood tests. She got on my arm at the vets right out of her kennel. But then the vet had to towel her to do the bloods and we all know how stressful that can be.

So now we have taken 2 steps backwards with our relationship. She moves away from me when I approach the cage and will no longer let me pet her in the cage. I did get her out this morning on the stick and she did let me pet her for a few seconds. I also sat and talked to her by her cage with the door open this afternoon and she did come down to the open door to take treats from my hand. It's just so hard to see her nervous now when I approach her cage or try to pet her. It's like we are starting all over again.

This second appointment shouldn't have had to happen and I know it is neither my fault or hers but I'm just feeling a little down about it. It was so exciting to see our progress together and then just see it go backwards is heart breaking. I know I have to keep doing what I'm doing, I just hope she gets over this. I am hopeful that the few things she did for me today are all good signs. Any encouraging words??

 

[Jtbirds]

I'll tell you what you feel like you have stepped back, but this is not so. She may now have a few concerns of her own, but with the same work you did with her before she should advance quicker then before. Just keep up what you are doing and it should advance quickly back to we're you were.

Not so much as starting over, but needs to find out she isn't going back to the vet o so soon. So I'd suggest get her out with a sick a lot and show hat she is going no were but a playgym and she is fine that her fears are nothing towards you.

 

[Blancaej]

Thanks Justin! You made me feel better already.

I was trying to give her some space today so I didn't put her on the stick more then once. I think doing it more tomorrow is a great idea. I don't have any plans to put her in her kennel again anytime soon either! I am hopeful that once she sees that we are coming out for treats, the playgym or just to say "Hi" she will begin to feel better.

I will keep you posted! Again, thank you!

 

[Jtbirds]

Hey that is what we are here for.. I'd also say down the road make going into a carrier a good thing and a positive expirence. My show crew jumps into there carriers because they love going out so going to the vets is easy

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

Things will be fine, just give it time and patience and she will be back to normal in no time.

 

[plax]

Hi Blanca... I've experienced many instances in which my Macaws would appear somewhat trauma-stricken after arriving home from relatively traumatic vet visits. I'm happy to report that they have always bounced right back within a day or two. Most Macaws are quite resilient in this regard.

If I remember correctly, Savannah has experienced a stressful life. If that's correct, it may take her a bit longer to re-acclimate to her new home, but she will begin to trust her situation and you again. Just keep up what you're doing and I'm sure your love and care will result in the return of her confidence. And believe me, it will even get better than that .

 

[Blancaej]

Justine - I actually hope in a about month to take her to my store with me to hang out while I work. I am hoping that will make her kennel a happy place if she knows she's going to spend the day with me.

If things keep progressing like they were, a month should be a possability!

Molly - thanks for the encouragement!

Plax - thank you. Its nice to hear others have gone through this and there birds bounced back ok. Savannah was caged bound most of the time the last several years and in a laundry room by herself. Because our relationship is so new and she has been somewhat isolated over the years I will try not to get discouraged if it takes her a bit longer to get over this. Thanks again!

 

[Jtbirds]

lol justine huh? i am a male i tell you! look at my montly photo contest entry lol!

hey set the standards high i bet by sunday you can have her stepping up if you keep it up i believe in you and so does she.

 

[Blancaej]

I spelled it right the first time. Lol!!

Thanks for believing in me!

 

[Turquoise]

I think you are doing exactly what you should with Savannah. If she wasn't enjoying her time & treats with you, she would definitely not be accepting them. In most situations one thing a macaw is not, is subtle about their feelings. They have no problem at all telling you just how they feel about what's going on in their life.

You & Savannah have a great relationship going on already. She will forgive you, she is already showing you she is willing to trust you despite her sad past with previous owners.

 

[Blancaej]

Turquoise - They are such smart birds! I feel honored to have her in my life. I was hopeful that there was still some trust there since she will get on the stick and take treats. I will keep on working on it and keep everyone posted.
Thanks!

 

[WeimerHeimer]

I absolutely HATE vet visits. .... That goes for all my animals!

Keep working with your bird and it will come around in no time. It's fustrating for both the bird and the owner. Just keep doing what you were before the appointment and in no time at all things will be back to normal.

 

[Blancaej]

Thanks WeimerHeimer! It wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't had to take her twice so quickly. But vet visits are just so stressful. Quincy my grey is used to them enough that he doesn't hold any grudges afterwards. I'm glad for that since he is my nervous Nelly! LOL!

I am happy to report that Savannah is already showing signs of improvement today! She is playing with her toys more, making more noises and even said cracker this morning. When I was cleaning the birds room this morning she was following me all around her cage and let me pet her some through the bars. She is just not sitting in the same spot all day like she did yesterday. She seems a lot more relaxed today! I got her out on her stick, although it did take some coaxing. And we walked around the room a little. She is still not comfortable getting on her play gym yet. She hasn't been since I've gotten her so that wasn't a concern for me. But she did well and seems to be enjoying her space again. What a relief. Thanks again everyone for all the encouraging words. I am sure it will just get better from here!

 

[Blancaej]

Just wanted to give everyone another update. Today went extremely well. I was able to get Savannah out of her cage 3 times. I walked her around her room (the dinning room) and each time I took her out I took her a little further into the kitchen. Because she is not used to other rooms I am taking it slow to get her used to the house. She let me pet her every time. She came up to me in the cage tonight and let me pet her beak and she took her tongue to my hand. So things seem pretty back to normal. I am hoping to get some pictures on here soon of her out of the cage and me holding her on the stick.

 

[Jtbirds]

So glad to hear everything's well, see she turns right back around just needed to get over that initial stress.

 

[Blancaej]

Yes, she's doing great. You were right! Shes been out of her cage hanging out on top today a couple of times. Came right out on her own.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

that's awesome, love to hear that she is settling in well

 

[Blancaej]

Copper - I'm quite impressed how well she is doing!