First vet visit question

[sbrenton]

Hi everyone,

I am new to the forum and also a new owner of a blue and gold Macaw named tweety bird. I just picked him up yesterday and have my vet visit scheduled for tomorrow. I think he is about 3 and seems to have some stress and environment issues. He has been plucking his leg and chest feathers and also has a very overgrown scissor beak. I asked my vet to give him the usual first visit exam and to shave down his beak (or what ever he needs to get his beak back to normal) and see if there is anything else he needs.

My question here is .... what should I expect at the vet tomorrow? I have many other animals but this is the first bird I will be taking in for care. He is already warming up to my wife but still a little timid of me. Is there anything I can do to make the visit and transport easier on him?

thanks in advance
-Steve

 

[KeroRocks]

It will be stressful for him. I don't know a lot you can do for a bird that hasn't bonded to someone to help relieve the stress of a vet visit.

They will ask you if you want to do blood work...Yes, you definitely want to do blood work. It's expensive but it will rule out any current issues.

 

[sbrenton]

Thanks for the info and I will do the blood work. My vet does most screenings onsite so I shouldnt have to wait long. The poor guy will be stressed out with the small travel cage so by the time he gets to the vet he wont be happy. Hope he doesnt nip at the vet. With any luck he will adjust quickly. He seems to love grapes so will be sure to have some with me and ready when he gets home.

 

[RavensGryf]

KeroRocks has a good reply. Also, unlike the other pets you're used to, good to get viral diseases (blood) testing also. Especially since you don't know the history. Birds (cats also) can carry deadly viral diseases, so good measure to get screening while you're at it.

 

[Terry57]

Hello and welcome! You got some good advice from KeroRocks and RavensGryf, so I will just wish you luck at the vet and look forward to seeing pictures of Tweety Bird after he settles in a bit

 

[goalerjones]

I find that keeping in a good line of sight with my bird helps him.
I would recommend bringing your own towel to wrap him in since there's no guarantee of an unused one at the vets.
Talk to him and help him to stay focused on you while you are waiting in the lobby.
Do not take him out of the carrier until you are in the exam room and they are ready.
They will want a weight. Wait until they are ready. When he is on the scale place your hand over his head, kind of like a dome, to keep him still long enough.
Request to be present whenever any grooming is done, or blood work.
Make sure you praise him for enduring all the procedures.

 

[sbrenton]

Well Tweety bird is out playing now. He got quite excited when my wife came home from work. Think I found who he will be bonding too. LOL. Dreading putting him in the small cage. He lived in one for so long its gonna stress him out. Will post after the vet visit and get some pictures up soon too. thanks for all the advice!!!!!

 

[sbrenton]

here is Tweety Birds first day home and on his new cage.

 

[sbrenton]

Well the vet visit went well. The vet thinks the plucking is due to stress and should improve with time in a better environment. He didnt want to shave the beak cause it was so overgrown and Tweety was already shaking in my arms. I am bringing him back Monday to have him sedated and then his beak, claws and blood work will be done. The vet was really nice and gave me a ton of info on nutrition and training.

 

[KeroRocks]

Awww poor Tweety. Lots of love!