New Member

[rnadler103]

Hi everyone! My name is Robin and I have a 30 year old male Red Lored Amazon named Tony. I have had him since he was 5 weeks old, so he's my longest relationship! :04:

I came here because we spent all day yesterday in the animal ER and I was hoping for some advice. What's the best way to give oral meds to an angry amazon? Thankfully, I've never had to try this before.

We adore him and he is family (along with 4 bearded dragons and a mini schnauzer).

I'm excited to meet all of you!

 

[noodles123]

lol- welcome
You can try making some plain oatmeal with a mashed banana and mixing it in with that-- the trick it, you MUST write down the exact amount you put in the mix, because it could be wasted/tossed, and then you will have to re-dose. You don't probably want to try the whole dose at once unless you really think your bird is hungry and not that picky....to much mixer and they won't eat it all...too little, and they may not eat it either. I would let your vet know that you may need some extra if you try this method.
Sweet potatoes (cooked) work well too sometimes...

 

[rnadler103]

lol- welcome
You can try making some plain oatmeal with a mashed banana and mixing it in with that-- the trick it, you MUST write down the exact amount you put in the mix, because it could be wasted/tossed, and then you will have to re-dose. You don't probably want to try the whole dose at once unless you really think your bird is hungry and not that picky....to much mixer and they won't eat it all...too little, and they may not eat it either. I would let your vet know that you may need some extra if you try this method.
Sweet potatoes (cooked) work well too sometimes...

Awesome! I'll try. He hates banana, but I'll try the sweet potato. He will always pick out any kind of banana or pumpkin seed and leave them. It cracks me up. I tried hollowing out a strawberry and putting it in there, but that was a no go. He is avoiding said strawberry like the plague. :28:

 

[noodles123]

lol- welcome
You can try making some plain oatmeal with a mashed banana and mixing it in with that-- the trick it, you MUST write down the exact amount you put in the mix, because it could be wasted/tossed, and then you will have to re-dose. You don't probably want to try the whole dose at once unless you really think your bird is hungry and not that picky....to much mixer and they won't eat it all...too little, and they may not eat it either. I would let your vet know that you may need some extra if you try this method.
Sweet potatoes (cooked) work well too sometimes...

Awesome! I'll try. He hates banana, but I'll try the sweet potato. He will always pick out any kind of banana or pumpkin seed and leave them. It cracks me up. I tried hollowing out a strawberry and putting it in there, but that was a no go. He is avoiding said strawberry like the plague. :28:

Just remember-- he has to eventually get his full daily dose-- so you can break it up if you track it, as long as it is okay for the medication (as the vet and make sure breaking it up throughout the day is okay and that what you mix it with doesn't conflict somehow--- some meds can't go with acids etc).

 

[noodles123]

mashed potatoes, pumpkin, squash (all cooked and the fewer preservatives, the better), non-fortified/non-enriched rice...non-fortified baby-food (preferably the kind without vitamin c, as that can be too much-and no salt or avocado obviously)....um....low sodium saltines in really small quantities can work if you aren't having any luck with the healthier options (but obviously that isn't ideal)...In a very desperate situation, I also used mini- nilla wafers cut into quarters and sandwiched together (so a little under 1/2 a mini wafer 2x daily--- but that was a matter of life or death and my bird is bigger..so, again, check with the vet because you don't want to make anything worse depending on the issue). I also have been able to sneak meds into small sections of Alexia sweet potato fries (healthier than some foods...but not ideal)... The last 3 suggestions are sort of last-resorts lol...

Oh--you could also try NON-FORTIFIED/non-enriched noodles (some hold liquids well--but you don't want the kind with ANY added iron/minerals etc---and those are hard to find).

Also, remember, they see color really clearly, so you want to try to hide that (in addition to the flavor)

 

[saxguy64]

Welcome to the forums! Tony is beautiful! Sorry he's not feeling well, but there's lots of great folks here with helpful ideas and advice.

Not sure how much volume he needs, but for small amounts, I've had good luck with soaking meds into a tiny, like an inch square, piece of toast, maybe add a little cinnamon on top. My guys would do anything for that little scrap, and never leave behind so much as a crumb. I know other folks have good luck mixing with oatmeal, since a lot of birds love it, but mine have no interest in it. Good luck, giving meds can certainly be a challenge. Keep us posted on how he's doing [emoji4]

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[Flboy]

Welcome to you both! Sorry your little man isn’t feeling well!

 

[rnadler103]

Thank you all so much for your advice. I think the medicine on bread with a touch of cinnamon did it! He loves pizza flavored goldfish crackers, so I thought that would work, but nope. I hope he continues to eat the tiny piece of medicine soaked bread!

 

[Scott]

Welcome Robin and Tony, thanks for joining! Glad you have a solution to giving meds, hope the therapy works well. Keep in mind the other suggestions as parrots are food fickle as a two year old child!

 

[noodles123]

This isn't skepticism-- it is more of a compliment/genuine curiosity, but If that is you in the picture....it's amazing you have had him 30 years if he was 5 months old! Were you like...5 years old at the oldest or a baby??? LOL! If you got him later than that, then you look really young for your age (because that looks like someone in their early to mid 30s)!! I am not doubting what you said either, or your age-- just saying, ya look young gal!

Congrats on having such an awesome, long relationship with your bird and again, welcome! I kind of went right into problem solving, but I am glad you are here!

 

[rnadler103]

This isn't skepticism-- it is more of a compliment/genuine curiosity, but If that is you in the picture....it's amazing you have had him 30 years if he was 5 months old! Were you like...5 years old at the oldest or a baby??? LOL! If you got him later than that, then you look really young for your age (because that looks like someone in their early to mid 30s)!! I am not doubting what you said either, or your age-- just saying, ya look young gal!

Congrats on having such an awesome, long relationship with your bird and again, welcome! I kind of went right into problem solving, but I am glad you are here!

You're so sweet! He was my high school graduation present. I graduated at 17 and will be 47 in September. He was hatched in Nov of 1990! I worked at a pet store in high school and he came in as a mean barely feathered little squirt. We bonded and I spent every day with him because he wasn't really ready to be sold yet. I was so bummed when someone bought him (I begged my parents). When his new owners came to get him, I reluctantly brought him out and my parents were standing there (They swore everyone to secrecy). Everyone knew but me. He's been with me ever since. That picture is probably 10 years old. Believe me- I'm a high school English teacher. Up close I look my age :04:

 

[noodles123]

This isn't skepticism-- it is more of a compliment/genuine curiosity, but If that is you in the picture....it's amazing you have had him 30 years if he was 5 months old! Were you like...5 years old at the oldest or a baby??? LOL! If you got him later than that, then you look really young for your age (because that looks like someone in their early to mid 30s)!! I am not doubting what you said either, or your age-- just saying, ya look young gal!

Congrats on having such an awesome, long relationship with your bird and again, welcome! I kind of went right into problem solving, but I am glad you are here!

You're so sweet! He was my high school graduation present. I graduated at 17 and will be 47 in September. He was hatched in Nov of 1990! I worked at a pet store in high school and he came in as a mean barely feathered little squirt. We bonded and I spent every day with him because he wasn't really ready to be sold yet. I was so bummed when someone bought him (I begged my parents). When his new owners came to get him, I reluctantly brought him out and my parents were standing there (They swore everyone to secrecy). Everyone knew but me. He's been with me ever since. That picture is probably 10 years old. Believe me- I'm a high school English teacher. Up close I look my age :04:

LOL! That's amazing, and you still look young for your age! I too am a teacher (special education) , so that is even more impressive, as I feel like this last year aged me by 10 years haha!!!

 

[rnadler103]

This isn't skepticism-- it is more of a compliment/genuine curiosity, but If that is you in the picture....it's amazing you have had him 30 years if he was 5 months old! Were you like...5 years old at the oldest or a baby??? LOL! If you got him later than that, then you look really young for your age (because that looks like someone in their early to mid 30s)!! I am not doubting what you said either, or your age-- just saying, ya look young gal!

Congrats on having such an awesome, long relationship with your bird and again, welcome! I kind of went right into problem solving, but I am glad you are here!

You're so sweet! He was my high school graduation present. I graduated at 17 and will be 47 in September. He was hatched in Nov of 1990! I worked at a pet store in high school and he came in as a mean barely feathered little squirt. We bonded and I spent every day with him because he wasn't really ready to be sold yet. I was so bummed when someone bought him (I begged my parents). When his new owners came to get him, I reluctantly brought him out and my parents were standing there (They swore everyone to secrecy). Everyone knew but me. He's been with me ever since. That picture is probably 10 years old. Believe me- I'm a high school English teacher. Up close I look my age :04:

LOL! That's amazing, and you still look young for your age! I too am a teacher (special education) , so that is even more impressive, as I feel like this last year aged me by 10 years haha!!!

You're so right. I teach seniors and it was heartbreaking and stressful. I feel like it was 5 years in 1

 

[Inger]

This isn't skepticism-- it is more of a compliment/genuine curiosity, but If that is you in the picture....it's amazing you have had him 30 years if he was 5 months old! Were you like...5 years old at the oldest or a baby??? LOL! If you got him later than that, then you look really young for your age (because that looks like someone in their early to mid 30s)!! I am not doubting what you said either, or your age-- just saying, ya look young gal!

Congrats on having such an awesome, long relationship with your bird and again, welcome! I kind of went right into problem solving, but I am glad you are here!

You're so sweet! He was my high school graduation present. I graduated at 17 and will be 47 in September. He was hatched in Nov of 1990! I worked at a pet store in high school and he came in as a mean barely feathered little squirt. We bonded and I spent every day with him because he wasn't really ready to be sold yet. I was so bummed when someone bought him (I begged my parents). When his new owners came to get him, I reluctantly brought him out and my parents were standing there (They swore everyone to secrecy). Everyone knew but me. He's been with me ever since. That picture is probably 10 years old. Believe me- I'm a high school English teacher. Up close I look my age :04:

Ah what an excellent trick they played on you! And welcome to the forums. Hope you’ll stay around after he’s feeling better. This is the nicest corner of the internet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rnadler103]

This isn't skepticism-- it is more of a compliment/genuine curiosity, but If that is you in the picture....it's amazing you have had him 30 years if he was 5 months old! Were you like...5 years old at the oldest or a baby??? LOL! If you got him later than that, then you look really young for your age (because that looks like someone in their early to mid 30s)!! I am not doubting what you said either, or your age-- just saying, ya look young gal!

Congrats on having such an awesome, long relationship with your bird and again, welcome! I kind of went right into problem solving, but I am glad you are here!

You're so sweet! He was my high school graduation present. I graduated at 17 and will be 47 in September. He was hatched in Nov of 1990! I worked at a pet store in high school and he came in as a mean barely feathered little squirt. We bonded and I spent every day with him because he wasn't really ready to be sold yet. I was so bummed when someone bought him (I begged my parents). When his new owners came to get him, I reluctantly brought him out and my parents were standing there (They swore everyone to secrecy). Everyone knew but me. He's been with me ever since. That picture is probably 10 years old. Believe me- I'm a high school English teacher. Up close I look my age :04:

Ah what an excellent trick they played on you! And welcome to the forums. Hope you’ll stay around after he’s feeling better. This is the nicest corner of the internet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you for the warm welcome Everyone here has been so nice and welcoming. I am a member of a bearded dragon forum and they have been helpful so I figured there must be one to help me with my guy.

Update- he has become immune to the bread treat. Off to plan 100 to get these meds in him. On a great note- he seems to be feeling better!

 

[noodles123]

You might try those frozen pancakes (thaw a tiny bit in the mic) and see if that works? Making your own would be too much work for the amount he will eat (hardly any).

 

[Scott]

You might try those frozen pancakes (thaw a tiny bit in the mic) and see if that works? Making your own would be too much work for the amount he will eat (hardly any).

Mmmm, pancakes! I'll be right over with pure maple syrup and fresh fruit toppings!

 

[rnadler103]

You might try those frozen pancakes (thaw a tiny bit in the mic) and see if that works? Making your own would be too much work for the amount he will eat (hardly any).

Mmmm, pancakes! I'll be right over with pure maple syrup and fresh fruit toppings!

The meds are flavored strawberry, so it will be perfect! :04:

 

[Ira7]

Atkins has some great recipes for flax seed muffins in which you can incorporate the medicine.

Don’t make them muffin size, though. Buy a pan that has tiny pockets, made more for candies or small baked stuff like macaroons.

You should be able to easily work out the correct dosage like this as well in the total “batter.”

 

[noodles123]

Atkins has some great recipes for flax seed muffins in which you can incorporate the medicine.

Don’t make them muffin size, though. Buy a pan that has tiny pockets, made more for candies or small baked stuff like macaroons.

You should be able to easily work out the correct dosage like this as well in the total “batter.”

aw very cute idea! (Just make sure they do not contain teflon/ptfe/pfoa/pfcs)