Gloria went to the doctor

[kozykitty]

So I finally took Gloria to the vet. If you recall, I adopted her at the tender age of 30 this past January. I'm fortunate to have a vet that sees birds about 15 minutes from my house. My first challenge was to get her to go in the carrier. She still won't get on a stick or on my hand. Still working on that. She flew off of her cage playtop when I approached with Mr. Towel. Fortunately, I had the carrier on the floor with the top door open. In her attempt to run away, she climbed up the front of the carrier and went in. That was easy!

I was very impressed with the vet. Gloria was assigned to the male vet which turned out to be a good thing as she seems to prefer men. He spent about 10 - 15 minutes just "playing" with her. He played peekaboo with a towel then put the towel behind her and covered her several times while playing peekaboo. She flirted the whole time.

He wanted to do blood work due to her age but couldn't find a vein. This was after the rest of the exam and the nail trimming so we decided to schedule another appointment in a couple of months for the blood work. She was clearly getting stressed at that point and she was panting after being restrained for her nail trim. Her weight and other stats were all very good. I was very glad about that as I didn't know what to expect and it seems that she eats all the time.

Is it typical for an Amazon to get stressed at the vet like that? Poor thing. She was clearly annoyed with me for a few days after. A week later, I had to go away for one night and my husband took care of her. I was thrilled to get the Amazon happy dance on my return so I think she's forgiven me. I wasn't sure what to expect at the vet's but I'm thrilled to have one so close.

 

[texsize]

When I have taken my amazon's in to the vet they get very stressed. Panting & screaming. The vet that I go to keeps a spray/mist bottle to help cool them down.
My OWA (wild caught) is the worst and my hand raised YNA does the best but they all get upset.
texsize

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Yes..the last time Amy went to her doc's for a wellness check and blood work,she got very stressed..panting..first time I ever saw her this bad..she is almost 27 yrs old.

Jim

 

[GaleriaGila]

I suspect most parrots get stressed at the vet's. Especially with what must surely be a painful and scary blood-drawing (or even an attempt). Fortunately, my bird is old enough and healthy enough that he only has blood drawn about every 5 years. Even so, he knows the minute we hit the parking lot and starts to scream all the words he knows that are associated with stress or problems: NO, STOP IT, BAD, NO, NO, NO!
A necessary evil, I guess. I think I dread it as much as he does...

 

[Nicky76]

Archie must be weird because he really doesn't mind and even lets the vet give him head rubs!!


Animals are like little angels sent to earth to teach us how to love

 

[kozykitty]

Glad to know that our visit was normal! She never screamed the whole time. Because I don't have any medical records and I think Gloria was kind of neglected the last few years, the vet felt she needed the blood work due to her age. I would agree. I felt better knowing that she was a healthy weight and her other vital signs were normal.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Archie must be weird because he really doesn't mind and even lets the vet give him head rubs!!

Animals are like little angels sent to earth to teach us how to love

Archie is so precious. Maybe he had such a sad life before you rescued him that he's just endlessly grateful to be with you!
I'm glad we're sharing vet experiences. Interesting!

 

[Nicky76]

He's had to get used to going to the vets since we got him - plus our vet loves him


Animals are like little angels sent to earth to teach us how to love

 

[wrench13]

Maybe it's the species, but Salty is pretty cool at the vets, even when they drew blood. They don't even need to towel him, he is used to rough housing with me, so hands holding him for nails and even the blood work were all that was needed. Not to say he liked the needle but he wasn't squawking or anything. No post visit 'tude either, and he does hold grudges. We have a great vet here on LI.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Well, the Rickeybird is probably just a hellion.
A product of complete surrender/spoiling from his so-called owner. (WHO OWNS WHOM?)
I have no pride left. He's the rooster; I'm the hen!

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Glad to know that our visit was normal! She never screamed the whole time. Because I don't have any medical records and I think Gloria was kind of neglected the last few years, the vet felt she needed the blood work due to her age. I would agree. I felt better knowing that she was a healthy weight and her other vital signs were normal.

I believe the blood draw thing was the stressful part for Amy..during regular visits to her doctor,its just usually a "feel me up,clip this and that and weigh me" thing,but this time they poked her with a needle..I get stressed when I get poked too
She didn't yell but she held her arms out and panted for a good fifteen minutes. I was stressed seeing her stressed..poor girl!

Jim