Jasper had his second vet visit today!

[Zoe]

Well, I took Jasper to the vets this morning for his ten day re-check. He is doing REALLY good! No signs of bacterial infection but she said to continue his antibiotics for one more week. He has gained two grams. He is still plucking under one of his wings, but on the other one he's starting to let his feathers grow back in so he's doing better with that She said to continue the daily vitamins until I run out so we'll do that.

Behavior-wise, he is still REALLY good. We get along very well He is nippy but it's not really bad- he still will put his beak on me, but he doesn't press down. He lets me touch his beak whenever I want- he seems to really like having his beak stroked. He lets me scritch his head, I can pet his back- he doesn't like his feet messed with though. He won't bite if I touch them but he will pull away and run off if he can. She wants me to work on getting him better about toweling. He's still talking a lot and we've managed to replace most of his bad words with similar sounding good words. He barks, he calls my cocker spaniel 'bad dog'... probably b/c she's the only animal in the house who would still like have a taste of him- she sits at his cage and whines like I'm just going to be like "well okay, I'll open it for you" LOL. I don't LET her do that, but sometimes she does it before I realize she is going to. He likes to share his green beans with my Pyrenees. When she comes up to his cage he will toss them to her. He makes kissy noises at me all the time and calls me 'pretty lady'- and he regurgitated his food for me last night- yuck. He's learning how to play with his toys too! All in all, he's really great and he's settled in VERY well!

His diet was pretty bad when I got him, I'm sure some of you remember my first post. Now, he eats mostly fresh fruits and veggies, and pellets. But more fresh food than pellets. He still gets seeds but not nearly as many as he was eating at first.

The only thing I still can't get him to accept are baths... so any tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Spiritbird]

When you are in the bath or shower have Jasper with you but not in the water. Let him see how much fun you are having. If he sees you having fun a few times then try getting him closer to the water in small steps. Also have a bowl of water nearby you when you are having some one on one time with him and put your fingers in and play. Add some toys or green leaves to the water. The secret is to teach him to have fun around the water. OK to dry with hair dryer after he is used to the sound.

http://www.itsagreysworld.com/articles/bathing.htm

 

[Ecclipse]

Hi Zoe, Im so excited that Jasper is doing so much better. Great to hear that he is letting you scratch him and touch him. Im still waiting for that day with Rosie and cant wait to be able to show her I love her not by only telling her but by scratching her head and her being comfortable with my hands being in her space

Rosie loves being sprayed with a spray bottle and I started off by holding the bottle high up so that the mist was very fine and then was able to spray her from a closer distance. Maybe you would want to leave trying to wet her until her anitbiotics are finished in case she got a chill. When Rosie had slight synus I eased off the bathing until she showed signs of improving. Your vet may advise you differently and say that bathing would be fine and that there would be no need to worry. It was just a thought I had

 

[Pheonix Rising]

Great to hear that Jasper is doing so well and that he has settled in to your life so quickly
it's really a tribute to this birds good spirit to be so open and loving after being locked away for so long

gongrats to you and keep up the great work

 

[antoinette]

Hi Zoe, Im so excited that Jasper is doing so much better. Great to hear that he is letting you scratch him and touch him. Im still waiting for that day with Rosie and cant wait to be able to show her I love her not by only telling her but by scratching her head and her being comfortable with my hands being in her space

Rosie loves being sprayed with a spray bottle and I started off by holding the bottle high up so that the mist was very fine and then was able to spray her from a closer distance. Maybe you would want to leave trying to wet her until her anitbiotics are finished in case she got a chill. When Rosie had slight synus I eased off the bathing until she showed signs of improving. Your vet may advise you differently and say that bathing would be fine and that there would be no need to worry. It was just a thought I had

Jessica, load the video of Rosie being sprayed, sure Zoe will enjoy it and see how much fun Rosie May had

 

[antoinette]

Zoe, members above have given great advise. High five !!!!
You doing a splendid job with Jasper, keep it up
Great to hear that he is enjoying his fruit and veggies.

 

[Cowtown]

Great job... keep up the good work.

 

[Ladyeclectic]

Cool glad he's doing well!

 

[Ecclipse]

Hi Zoe, here is the vid of Rosie May showering with the mist spray....she found it very non-threatening from the start.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw9W9tfjB5s]YouTube - ##### Rosie taking her firt shower[/ame]

Hope this vid shows, if not will try again

 

[Ladyeclectic]

WAY TOO CUTE!!!!!

I seriously need to get a spray bottle for my Mishka, she likes to take baths in her water bowl (I put a glass container in her cage but she just drinks out of it then washes in her water bowl *rolls eyes*) but can't quite reach everywhere.