I think Gilbert could have accidentally eaten this...

[ruffledfeathers]

Last night while Gilbert was on my shoulder, all of a sudden I felt a "chomp" and grabbed him to see what he had but there was nothing in his beak and nothing that I saw anywhere that we were sitting.

So I am thinking maybe he swallowed this?? Heart Pendant with Paw Print Charm in Sterling Silver and Yellow Gold Vermeil | Blue Nile
(I have worried this before about other items--a tooth of a zipper--then found it later that he spit it out somewhere).

Anyhow it is very tiny, the "paw" charm hanging on the chain was bitten off. You can't tell from the photo but the whole necklace is very small and that paw was TINY. It is silver with a gold plating on the paw.

If he did in fact swallow it.....is that ok??? I think it is small enough to pass in droppings but.....I was worried about him eating any non-food items anyhow. I always have jewelry on, so he is really used to it and never chews it, but for some reason this piece just caught his eye and it happened in the blink of an eye.

I may call the vet tomorrow just to run it past him but what have any of your experiences been?

Not to make light of it, but of course he chewed the dog paw love necklace. LOL. "Hey, take this off and put your bird necklace back on?! Are you cheating on me?"

 

[JerseyWendy]

Patti, I'd definitely call the vet about this because of the metal content. In the meantime I hope and pray Gil did NOT swallow it.

I've gone bonkers before, when I thought one of my fids had swallowed teeth of zippers. They are so darn fast about it, too. Luckily I've always found them.

Please keep us posted???

 

[Kiwibird]

I wouldn't panic yet, as parrots are generally good about not swallowing non-food items. Have you searched for the pendant? If it was the gold part, he may well have spit it out, but good luck finding it due to the size! I would search thoroughly for the part he got, and see if you can find it. If not, it's probably worth it to call the vet to be safe. But I'm betting he dropped it somewhere and because it's so tiny, you just aren't seeing it.

 

[ruffledfeathers]

I will keep looking and run the vacuum too maybe and then go through what it picks up. But yes, I have found zipper teeth later after going through panic. I hope he didn't eat it, but I don't KNOW. Of course he is just chatting away, having no idea the worry he causes, LOL

 

[ruffledfeathers]

Good reminder to people about HOW FAST these things happen. :/ This was one of the zipper teeth I thought he had eaten.....again, good luck finding it. I'm surprised I found this one.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Have you found the super tiny (and super cute) pendant, Patti????

 

[ruffledfeathers]

I did not find that little paw (i am actually wearing the pendant now but the little tiny paw is missing), but i am feeling like he didn't eat it. No idea where it went but i spoke to his vet this morning.

He told me that IF he swallowed it, which they normally don't, due to the size/shape of it and the fact that the metal is relatively stable and not likely to dissolve, he should be fine. He said the only way to KNOW is to Xray of course, but that does require sedation. (He left it up to me of course but said if it were his bird, he would probably wait it out a while.)

I also called Blue Nile and spoke to a specialist there and verified that the piece does not contain any zinc and he said if Gilbert swallowed it, the metal should not contain anything that would poison him. SO....i'm still hoping he didn't swallow it and that i find it somewhere, but for now i'm less worried.

Now that i realize he has this new jewelry fascination, i'm going to be extremely careful. (Like i said, i always have necklace, earrings, bracelets, rings, etc, so it's definitely nothing new to Gilbert, but he must have just decided it is suddenly fascinating.) He also loosened a diamond on my hoop earring which i have now lost....LOL.....that cursed little monkey! haha

 

[Terry57]

Patti, so good to hear an update! I am hoping you will find that cute little paw so it can set your mind at ease. Thankfully the vet doesn't seem to be too concerned at this point
Sending big hugs and good thoughts to Gilbert

 

[Kiwibird]

Hoping you find it, I'm betting you will Also, be sure to keep an eye on Gilbert's droppings the next few days "just in case".

 

[ruffledfeathers]

yes, i felt obsessive, smearing through his droppings. he was looking at me, wondering why the heck i was so interested in his poop!

 

[BoomBoom]

I know the feeling. One time, I was making a huge batch of chop mix (a whole tubful). Boomer decided to chip off the chrome cap of the kitchen faucet and this tiny piece of chrome fell into the tub of finely minced fruits and veggies. I searched for a long time but could not find it. I slaved 4 hours on the chop mix so I bagged everything anyway. For the whole 2 months that the bags lasted, I was obsessed in checking each one for the chipped chrome lol!

I hope you find it, if only for your own peace of mind. Parrots know not to ingest anything inedible. Their tongues are so dexterous! I'm glad you did not need to have an x-ray done. It seems overboard and the risks far too great.

 

[GW.Joe]

i spoke to his vet this morning.
He told me that IF he swallowed it, which they normally don't, due to the size/shape of it and the fact that the metal is relatively stable and not likely to dissolve, he should be fine

Hi Patti,

I was going to mention that it is my understanding that sterling silver & gold are completely harmless "chemically"
The only concern would be a blockage

Very Sorry you have to go through this

Joe

 

[RavensGryf]

I'm sorry about the worry you're going through Patti! I (we all) know that feeling at some time or another I think! I'm glad your phone calls put you at ease a bit. I hope all goes well with this. Keep us posted

I don't 'think' Robin was sedated for his recent x-ray... He was brought back to me SO quickly there wasn't time to be sedated then woke up!

 

[ruffledfeathers]

I think Gilbert has enjoyed the additional attention (as if he already doesn't feel like he is king of the world?!) I have fussed over him and hugged him and told him "i love you so much. nothing bad can ever happen to you, kiss kiss kiss"--now, when i first walk in the room he screams "GILBERT'S A GOOOOOOOD BOOOOOY!!!" He actually said it as soon as i woke up and walked into the room this morning. haha (he is thinking 'not sure what i did, but this is really fun'.)

 

[GW.Joe]

I don't 'think' Robin was sedated for his recent x-ray... He was brought back to me SO quickly there wasn't time to be sedated then woke up!

Hi Patti, I was also going to mention my friends bird got x-rayed and not sedated, Julie is right

(for peace of mind you might be able to get it done somewhere else)

Joe

 

[Anansi]

Don't know how I missed this thread, Patti, but I'm glad it's looking like all is well with Gilbert. Please keep us updated and, for true peace of mind, Julie and Joe's suggestion about non-sedated x-rays is a good one.