Little orphan Pistol back from the vet

[bug_n_flock]

This morning wee Pistol met my vet. Took a swab for the combo PCR test(PBFD, Chlamydia, polyoma), and warned me it could be a false negative. Thinking about doing a followup blood test to be sure once the results are back. We will hear back in about a week. Pistol behaved very well. Vet didn't even try to clip the wings, tho I did explicitly tell him not to. His reaction was almost like, "Why the frigg would I clip someone else's bird if they didn't ask me to?"

I feel sorry for most pet birds. The interaction with the vet.... Gee. He was almost surprised that I was taking quarantine seriously with clothes changes and the birds being on different levels of the house(saw a vet at the same practice as my regular vet, but not my regular vet who is up to speed w Pistol's backstory). I hope people don't think you can quarantine an animal in the same room as the animals you are quarantining it *from*. gosh.

Met a lovely woman and who I assume was her adult son in the waiting room. Lovely people with a 30 year ish old Galah. Funny story, they got the bird from the bird shop I worked at(not while I worked there obviously), and the woman recognized me from back when I was working there. I know I am a recognizable person with my hair and such, but I like to think that I stood out in her memory because I was nice or helped her effectively. Small world.

Vet saw all the things I did: slight splay leg, slightly overgrown beak, slightly off feathers, etc. But also the normal activity level, so that's basically where we are at. Lovebirds in general, and in my area in particular, can carry PBFD. It is pretty well established in their population unfortunately.

I seriously hope Pistol is negative across the board. I can't/won't keep him if he has PBFD. Won't risk the other birds like that, but there would be no need to put him down. Was thinking surrender to the vet to rehome, or maybe see if I can contact the people I rescued him from and see if they would want him back(don't think they have other birds, rescue was due to bird being unweaned and them inexperienced. People themselves were lovely and doing the best they could. The breeder was the villain of Pistol's origin story, not them.) Any thoughts? At this point I'm just worried and thinking about the "what ifs". I love Pistol and if I can't keep him I want to make sure he is still well looked after.

 

[bug_n_flock]

Any input? I know this isn't an easy one, but imagine how it feels to be the one going through it....

 

[LordTriggs]

all excellent points there about the care, hopefully the tests come back negative. I think finding her a home with someone who has experience with PBFD may be better, not to discredit the couple who originally cared for Pistol (love the name) but to care for a parrot with issues like PBFD and slight splay leg is a tall order and I worry if the couple would be discouraged by having that much extra work though that's more a character judgement you would have to make. I just think that you add in say hormone times and biting on top of health troubles does add up to a lot of negatives for a couple new to parrots.

Definitely have plans in case but for now we can only hope the test comes back negative. Outside of all that how is she doing in general?

 

[LordTriggs]

also just to add sounds like you have one of those vets who has a heart when it comes to animals, definitely keep a hold of that one!

 

[bug_n_flock]

In general he is great. Active, sweet but puckish, vocal, playful, good appetite, weight if anything is a little high(84g). Flies well, and finally starting to eat solid food on his ownD). Hoping more than anything that he is A-OK and he gets to stay here and add his unique presence into my family for the next 15-20 years.

You raise good points about asking a lot of people who don't have a lot of experience. I'll ask my vet if he has any clients who have birds with PBFD or who have had birds with it. Even if he can't give me their info, maybe I could ask him to give them my email address or something(if they even exist)

 

[LordTriggs]

sounds like Pistol is a good Lovebird, nothing seems to stop them. Keeping fingers crossed that they do get to stay with you

 

[bug_n_flock]

Results are in........ negative! And the vet is confident in the results and is saying the blood test is not recommended because of lack of probable cause and how small and young Pistol is. Officially he has been cleared to join my flock proper!! Ahhhhh omg I am just so completely and utterly relieved. huge grins all around.

From phone

 

[FlyBirdiesFly]

Yay Pistol!!!

 

[bug_n_flock]

Fatty likes him a lot. :3 Super cute, he is following Pistol around and flapflapflapping every time Pistol does or flies a lap without actually landing farther away. Fatty already has even learned to say "Pistol", and has also regurgitated for him. I think he is super glad to have a friend who isn't annoyed by his antics (Alex). Hopefully Fatty doesn't try to take their relationship to the next level lol.

Pistol seems more interested in begging for my attention while in his cage than playing with his new toys and exploring his area. Oh well, hopefully in time.

I held all three of my birds at the same time earlier for the first time. I couldn't stop smiling. Between them and my brother being in town for the first time in two years and him finally meeting my special companion for the first time, I am one haaaapy camper.


From phone