New Here And Need Some Advice

[GoGoPedro]

Hi, my name is Debbie (aka, GoGoPedro). I chose this user name because since I was 13, Pedro sings "Go Go Pedro, Go Go". He bobs his head up and down while he sings his catchy little tune. I have been hearing this song for 37 years! Pedro is my Blue Front Amazon parrot, he is approximately 60 years old, he IS one of my dearest family members and friend.
Six months ago Pedro started acting nervous when I carried him back to his cage through the dark house at bed time. He would clamp his toes around my hand tighter and put his beak around my finger and stiffen. I took him to an avian vet 10 days ago and explained the changes in his behavior and his more liquid droppings. We both realized at the same time that Pedro might have diabetes. He was scheduled for a full exam under anesthesia (including an eye exam to check for diabetic retinopathy). I spent the week before the exam considering the changes in our lives if Pedro had to have insulin injections twice a day. I didn't want to subject him to the pain of a needle, but I also didn't want him to surcome to the ravages of uncontrolled diabetes.
Pedro's blood work came back and everything was perfect! I am amazed at his good health (except he's 45 grams overweight). The eye exam was another story. Pedro has pretty significant cataracts in both eyes, but the more serious diagnosis was glaucoma. The vet told me normal pressure for a parrot is 9 and Pedro had intra ocular pressure measurements of 47 in each eye!!!
He has just started on glaucoma drops (Azopt) twice a day. He's doing well on them so far. I'm watching him carefully for side effects from the drops and so far, so good.
I'm wrapping him gently in a towel so I can turn him onto his side to instill the drops. He's not happy about it, but so far he's tolerant of it. I give him a treat afterwards and talk gently to him through the entire process. If anyone has any other suggestions to make this twice a day ritual easier for Pedro, I'm all ears. So far all 10 of my fingers remain attached to me with no bites. My biggest worry is Pedro loosing his trust in me and backing away from me for fear of the drops. Please advise me on how to make this as easy as possible for him. Thanks in advance. Debbie

 

[Adinafloyd]

Oh my goodness, you have had this guy for a long time. I really dont know how to make it pleasant for him. Im sure someone on here has some experience with Medications. How is he acting towards you after you give him the meds. My thoughts will be with you and Pedro.

 

[kc_y0]

I think you are doing everything right at the moment, by offering him treats and telling him he's a good boy. Also make sure you tell him you are about to give him the eye drops, by showing him the dropper first so he knows its coming and maybe say "medicine time" or similar. This way he wont feel like you are sneaking up on him or deceiving him. This is a tip the vet told me when I had to medicate my bird twice a day for a few weeks, and she held no resentment, I just made sure I told her what a good girl she was and gave her lots of cuddles and treats afterwards.

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

Hi GoGoPedro.
I love your story about Pedro's history. And, how wonderful it is to hear he's been with you and such a valued friend and family member for so long. I've had some bouts over the years with having to give twice daily injections in his "belly" wall and other times oral medications to Pritti. After about 4 or 5 days of the injections, Pritti started to get calmer about getting it done. I think the toweling was scarier than the injections. I tried to make it as routine as possible -- meaning it was the exact same ritual each time there was an injection, so he would know what to expect and how long it would take. You can try it the same with eye drops. kc_yo and vet's advice sound perfect. Pedro must have a huge amount of trust in you based on your history, like Pritti with me (after 20 years together). So if he sees me doing something and then letting him know he will be doing this too (i.e. showing the dropper to Pedro), he usually gets a bit curious and open. So maybe you could "share the pain" and make like you are doing drops too, either before or after Pedro gets his -- if you think it will make him feel better to be part of this group event daily. Also, try to have a good amount of time for Pedro before and after to make sure he is relaxed to get them, and then can recover fully (physically and emotionally) with you having fun or soothing time.

I've been watching for changes in Pritti's vision lately because It looks like he is "missing" light colored things in my hand, i.e. a piece of banana or grain - it's like if I have a bit of cooked rice in the palm of my hand, he's like foragaing and poking around my whole palm looking for something and not just going right to it. He's 30, and I'm going to take him in for an eye exam.

 

[GoGoPedro]

Great tips, Thank you, Please keep the suggestions coming. Pedro had dose #5 this evening. I did try the drops without toweling him this morning and it actually seemed to work better. I'm learning a technique to hold his head steady and curling my finger around his beak. He doesn't seem quite as upset about it as he was yesterday. This evening I think he knew what was coming, he held his wings out in a bit of a threatening gesture. He IS allowing me to put the drops in without too much drama. I like the idea about showing him the drops. I've been using a phrase like: "Ok Pedro, time for your drops, quick, quick" I'm in hopes that saying this phrase will help him understand this is the only time he'll get "mauled" by me. He let me cuddle him right afterwards tonight (that's the first time he's let me do that). He also sat in my lap and happily nibbled an animal cracker right after his drops (the past couple of days he threw the treat I gave him right after the drops). Hopefully we're making headway. I just called my pharmacy and found out his drops will cost (with tax) about $170.00!! OMG! I need prescription drug coverage for my bird!!!! I wonder if Express Scripts would pick this up for me........ I'm posting a picture of Pedro right after I post this message. Thanks for all the helpful tips, please keep them coming.