How do you know when to bring your bird to the vet?

[Frostella]

I have brought my bird to a vet for a general wellness check a few weeks ago and figured out that she didn't really know birds well. I won't go back there. A few hours away is a vet that says they treat exotics and birds specifically so that looks more promising. Mostly I'm wondering how do you know something is urgent and needs a vet's attention? Today I noticed my Dusky Conure won't contract his left foot/toes. He will put some weight on it and grip spaced apart things a little but he isn't wrapping the toes around his perches normally or my finger. This is brand new today. Otherwise he is a young and healthy bird. Should I call out of work to bring him to a vet or just watch for a few days and if it's still bothering him this weekend to bring him then? I want to make sure I'm taking good care of him. He is the best bird I ever could have hoped for and he trusts me to take care of him. Missing work would be complicated but I'd figure it out. Thoughts or have people seen this before?
Any thoughts or advice appreciated.
**We are also getting a snow storm tomorrow so practically speaking I probably wouldn't be able to bring him in until Wednesday.**

 

[Terry57]

First, welcome to the forum

Does your Dusky seem to be in pain when he tries to use that foot?
How old is he?

I've only had one bird be unable to use their foot like that, and she was an older bird and it was caused by a stroke. However, if yours is young then that shouldn't apply.

It's possible he twisted it somehow in his cage and it's too sore to use his foot to grasp.
If he is in pain, I would definitely recommend a vet visit asap. The vet should also be able to tell you more after looking at an X-ray, and your baby would receive something to help him with the pain.

I wouldn't go back to the vet you saw either. You have to be able to trust your vet, and I commend you for recognizing it early.

Here is a list of vets who treat birds listed by country. I hope you can find one closer to you.
You'll need to ask if they are a CAV, the list includes both CAVs and vets who treat birds.

Avian Vet Resources

Best of luck and I'm sending healing vibes that he is back to normal quickly!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I have brought my bird to a vet for a general wellness check a few weeks ago and figured out that she didn't really know birds well. I won't go back there. A few hours away is a vet that says they treat exotics and birds specifically so that looks more promising. Mostly I'm wondering how do you know something is urgent and needs a vet's attention? Today I noticed my Dusky Conure won't contract his left foot/toes. He will put some weight on it and grip spaced apart things a little but he isn't wrapping the toes around his perches normally or my finger. This is brand new today. Otherwise he is a young and healthy bird. Should I call out of work to bring him to a vet or just watch for a few days and if it's still bothering him this weekend to bring him then? I want to make sure I'm taking good care of him. He is the best bird I ever could have hoped for and he trusts me to take care of him. Missing work would be complicated but I'd figure it out. Thoughts or have people seen this before?
Any thoughts or advice appreciated.
**We are also getting a snow storm tomorrow so practically speaking I probably wouldn't be able to bring him in until Wednesday.**

I would make an appointment right away to see the avian vet for an exam. The appointment may be several days away because it doesn't sound like an "emergency" (bleeding, sitting on floor of cage too weak to perch, etc.). If, as the appointment the date approaches, your birds improves significantly, you can call to cancel up to the day before usually without a charge. Same day cancellations are rude and frowned upon (unless the bird died) and you may get charged.

 

[texsize]

There is multiple levels of should I/shouldn’t I.
How well does your bird travel, how much will it stress him out?
Is it worth putting him/her through the stress for what is wrong.
Will the vet be able to help the problem.

when it’s serious you have to bite the bullet and do it regardless of stress.

I think the above post is a good plan.
make appointment for a few days in advance and watch closely for improvement in the mean time.

 

[Frostella]

I moved all the perches in his cage lower just in case he has issues holding on in his sleep. I don't want him to fall and exacerbate things. I appreciate the feedback and now I feel better about making an appointment for a few days out and seeing how he does in the meantime.
The vet I saw before made the assumption that I was someone who bought a bird on a whim and didn't know what I was doing. She was reading off an info sheet on birds as we talked. It was a waste of $90 because I don't think he got a real health assessment. The vet place I'm going to call doesn't say they have an Avian certified vet but a "board certified specialist in avian, reptiles, and exotics." Is that the same thing?

 

[Frostella]

First, welcome to the forum

Does your Dusky seem to be in pain when he tries to use that foot?
How old is he?

I've only had one bird be unable to use their foot like that, and she was an older bird and it was caused by a stroke. However, if yours is young then that shouldn't apply.

It's possible he twisted it somehow in his cage and it's too sore to use his foot to grasp.
If he is in pain, I would definitely recommend a vet visit asap. The vet should also be able to tell you more after looking at an X-ray, and your baby would receive something to help him with the pain.

I wouldn't go back to the vet you saw either. You have to be able to trust your vet, and I commend you for recognizing it early.

Here is a list of vets who treat birds listed by country. I hope you can find one closer to you.
You'll need to ask if they are a CAV, the list includes both CAVs and vets who treat birds.

Avian Vet Resources

Best of luck and I'm sending healing vibes that he is back to normal quickly!

He initially seemed to be in pain. My husband said if he moved his hand close to the foot then Bruno would give him a light warning bite or he would squawk. I had him out with me for a while tonight just sitting quietly. He let me lightly touch his toes and leg without much reaction so I'm hoping that's a sign of improvement.

 

[Terry57]

He initially seemed to be in pain. My husband said if he moved his hand close to the foot then Bruno would give him a light warning bite or he would squawk. I had him out with me for a while tonight just sitting quietly. He let me lightly touch his toes and leg without much reaction so I'm hoping that's a sign of improvement.

It does sound like improvement, yay!

The vet place I'm going to call doesn't say they have an Avian certified vet but a "board certified specialist in avian, reptiles, and exotics." Is that the same thing?

No, it doesn't necessarily mean the same thing. I'd call and ask how much experience that he actually has with birds when you call to make the appointment.

Were you able to find any more vets to call from the link?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I moved all the perches in his cage lower just in case he has issues holding on in his sleep. I don't want him to fall and exacerbate things. I appreciate the feedback and now I feel better about making an appointment for a few days out and seeing how he does in the meantime.
The vet I saw before made the assumption that I was someone who bought a bird on a whim and didn't know what I was doing. She was reading off an info sheet on birds as we talked. It was a waste of $90 because I don't think he got a real health assessment. The vet place I'm going to call doesn't say they have an Avian certified vet but a "board certified specialist in avian, reptiles, and exotics." Is that the same thing?

It's the next best thing and an "exotics" vet may be quite good. In large metropolitan areas a CAV can make a living seeing mostly birds but in small cities where fewer people have birds a CAV would need to see cats and dogs too. Be glad you have a vet that has at least a special interest and experience with birds.

 

[Frostella]

It's the next best thing and an "exotics" vet may be quite good. In large metropolitan areas a CAV can make a living seeing mostly birds but in small cities where fewer people have birds a CAV would need to see cats and dogs too. Be glad you have a vet that has at least a special interest and experience with birds.

I'm nextdoor to you in New Hampshire. We are pretty rural with only a few smaller cities. I think this will probably be my best bet. It's about an hour drive which shouldn't be too bad depending on this next storm.
https://exoticandbirdclinic.com/ this is the place I was looking at

 

[Frostella]

It does sound like improvement, yay!

No, it doesn't necessarily mean the same thing. I'd call and ask how much experience that he actually has with birds when you call to make the appointment.

Were you able to find any more vets to call from the link?

I think even if the leg/toes clear up just fine, I'll probably still make a wellness check appointment. I don't think the one before was valuable and I want him to be established somewhere. If something happens, I want them to know what he looks like as a healthy bird. I appreciate the feedback.
The list had one in my state (New Hampshire, US) that is 2.5ish hours away. I'm going to check out this other clinic with the board certified specialist. Their website looks promising and hopefully I'll get a better feeling when we go.
https://exoticandbirdclinic.com/ this is the place I'm looking at if it's helpful for your list at all. It says they routinely perform surgery on birds and see them.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I'm nextdoor to you in New Hampshire. We are pretty rural with only a few smaller cities. I think this will probably be my best bet. It's about an hour drive which shouldn't be too bad depending on this next storm.
https://exoticandbirdclinic.com/ this is the place I was looking at

It looks like a great place to take your bird. It's very hard to find a CAV up here unless you travel to Boston. Good luck.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I'm nextdoor to you in New Hampshire. We are pretty rural with only a few smaller cities. I think this will probably be my best bet. It's about an hour drive which shouldn't be too bad depending on this next storm.
https://exoticandbirdclinic.com/ this is the place I was looking at

Good luck with the storm. I hear New Hampshire is going to get a lot of snow- more than we will 20 miles inland from Portland ME.

 

[Terry57]

The list had one in my state (New Hampshire, US) that is 2.5ish hours away. I'm going to check out this other clinic with the board certified specialist. Their website looks promising and hopefully I'll get a better feeling when we go.
https://exoticandbirdclinic.com/ this is the place I'm looking at if it's helpful for your list at all. It says they routinely perform surgery on birds and see them.

I have them listed at Weare, although I find their page a bit confusing. I could only find an address/phone number on their page for Hopkinton Animal Hospital & Weare Animal Hospital. I wonder if "Exotic & Bird Clinic" could be the name for the two they own collectively?
Below is what is currently on the vet list, when you call them would you mind letting me know whether this address is the correct one?

I'd appreciate it so much

Weare​

Exotic & Bird Clinic of New England

91 N. Stark Hwy
Weare, NH
603-529-2473 or 603-529-4999
Mon, Tues, Thurs 7:30am-7:30pm
Wed, Fri 7:30am-6pm
Sat. 8am-12pm