GCC: Vet check list, and quick question.

[Grenage]

Greetings again.

Aizen (our GCC) has settled in nicely, and now that insurance has been sorted, I'm looking around for an avian vet with which to register. I'm curious as to what I should expect and look for when I do so; do birds get inoculations?

How soon after birth could one expect a Conure's nails to need trimming - assuming that there is no pumice/cement/rocks in the cage? Our bird is around 12 weeks old, and do need a bit of a trim, as the tip of the toe is very slightly raised when on a flat surface.

I ask because I have a suspicious feeling regarding the breeder, to the point where I am going to have him DNA sexed myself, although it was claimed to be done. If I don't trust him on that much, I can't take his word on anything, including age - not that there's a way to tell a birds age. Don't get me wrong, I'll still love him if he turned out to be 15 year-old girl.

 

[dishgal1]

When my baby was young his toenails grew really long as well. I had them trimmed when they had a curl that caused his toes not to go down. That was last Nov. He hasn't needed it since. At that time he was 6 months old and the toenails were really pointed.

 

[Grenage]

Oh, so I shouldn't be overly suspicious about the Aizen's age, that's good. My wife tells me I'm too sceptical. ^^

 

[friedsoup]

yep and you could try working with your bird on laying in your hand so you can do foot massages (I know it sounds silly ) But the reason is it get him use to your touching his feet after a few weeks of that (When he is really loving it) you can introduce a pair of finger nail trimmers (wait your not going to use them) just touch his toes with them for a second and go back to rubbing his feet then touch again you will do this until he is so non plus as to not care and doesn't try and pull away. now your ready to clip just the point (you know the needle) not even an 1/32 of and inch. Oh and you might try this just do three toes on each feet then wait a week and do the last one (Helps with the holding on I find my birds had too much trouble holding on to even terry cloth if I did all 8 toes at once) and Never let someone use that heated wire to clip, rounds them so much you bird can't hold onto anything ( the excuse I was given was that it prevent bleeding) Yeah cause you cauterized at the same time.

 

[Grenage]

Good tip on the gradual introduction, thank you.