First Vet Visit. Tips Please!

[goodbred]

Hello all,

Boswell (GCC) and I are having our first vet visit tomorrow afternoon. (It took me a while to get an appointment with the local avian vet as she was on vacation). I have a travel carrier, and have been getting Boswell used to it. He seems happy enough hanging out in it. This will be our first travel since I purchased him three weeks ago, and our first doctor's exam. I have been working hard with Boswell, and he is very sweet and gentle. I am trying to make sure I put on a calm aura tomorrow so he doesn't sense that I'm nervous.

Any tips or advice from you all to try and make the trip go smoothly?

 

[kc_y0]

Have some of his favorite treats for afterwards! Good luck at the vet, I hope his first visit goes well!

 

[getwozzy]

Take a cover for the travel cage just in case, treats, stay calm, and do not open the cage until you're in the exam room with doors closed.

 

[Mayden]

If you're uncomfortable with anything your Avian Vet says or does, TELL THEM. Sometimes they know best, but it's better to voice your concerns and get an explination.

My vets know that Merlin does not hold grudges towards me after clippings etc, so they have no issue doing that in the same room. Unsure about Charlie, so they kick me out whilst they do them both these days.

So whilst some vets may ask you to leave, or take your bird to another room, if you're uncomfortable, voice your opinion, tell them why and ask if you/they can stay instead. 'Your pet, your rules' type thing. (Just try and see it from their point of view too!)

Treats during the examination and after (has he stepped up? offer a treat!). You want to make this as 'unscary' for him as possible.

Merlin is 100% great with his carrier (as it's not just used for vet visits!) and with the vets because other than being man handled for his toe nail trim, all is well and he gets scritches and praise. It's a pleasant experience.

If this isn't avian only, then if dogs are barking and your bird is upset, talk to him. Just ignore the dog and talk to him, hearing you being calm during that time will help to comfort him too.

 

[goodbred]

Thanks for the advice so far! I did spend some time locating an Avian vet specifically before I purchased Bozzy. It took me a long time to even find one that specialized in birds and would do more than just nail trimming. He is used to big dogs barking at this point as we have two in the house. I will make sure to bring treats with me for good behavior. I'm pretty good at advocating for my pets, but birds are this new frontier for me. I'm definitely going to bring my wife with me though because she always thinks of things to ask that I don't. I'm hoping that this will be a great learning experience.

 

[getwozzy]

You could also make a list of questions as you think of them- that way you don't forget!