Parkers vet visit today

[chris-md]

Parker had his wellness visit today, he did extremely well and didn't hold a grudge afterwards

We were able to determine that he is in fact a red sided Eclectus, though a smaller one at 454g (sta 450-525). Overall he checks out very well except for a small yeast infection on his wing. Did a bunch of blood tests to test for viruses and abnormal blood readings that might explain the plucking. I should get those in the next week or so.

He even got a little side trip when I took him to work since it's right around the corner from the vet office and there were some people who wanted to see him. He actually did very well until the last person when he attempted to fly off (thank God he can't fly). He let a lot of people handle him.

He really is a dreamboat!

 

[chris-md]

Forgot to mention, she wants pellets as a good chunk of his diet. She makes a point that when left to their own devises with they will pick and choose what they want to eat which could lead to nutrient deficiency.

Perfectly logical but if it's not good for them to begin with, why bother?? *sigh* really getting a front row seat to the great food debate!

 

[GreatBlue320]

So glad Parker did well at the vet and all seems good so far!

I bet is was fun to show him off at your office. Was everyone just amazed?

 

[chris-md]

The reaction was understandably mixed. Some were fascinated, others were more like "I can't believe you brought that here..." I mainly brought him for a couple people who expressed interest in seeing him. So who cares about the rest?

 

[JerseyWendy]

.....

Perfectly logical but if it's not good for them to begin with, why bother?? *sigh* really getting a front row seat to the great food debate!

Oi vey! The subject of Ekki diets has been chewed and regurgitated sooooo many times.

Here are a few reads for you:

http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/52737-so-you-think-you-want-eclectus.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/49445-pellets-diet.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/44603-diet.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/38464-eclectus-diet-ok.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/46707-help-pellets.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/53132-toe-tapping-returns.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/53331-extreme-toe-tapping-wing-flipping.html

 

[SilverSage]

It may be covered in the above threads, but I have found that if I chop EVERYTHING really super duper small, they will pig out as long as it has at least a couple kinds of fruit and is well mixed. I'm talking grain of rice sized pieces. I also like to mix in sprouted quinoa and sprouted millet (totally different nutritional value than dry!) and they gobble it up like starving orphans. I highly discourage you from feeding too many pellets; perhaps a different vet is in order, one who understands the unique requirements of an Eckie.

 

[chris-md]

Thanks all. No pellets here! But I have a new challenge: turns out ants LOVE his Higgins dry fruit mix I got to supplement the fruit and veg Now I need to get creative since nobody's home for 12 hours a day, can't just leave him without anything through the day. First up is cinnamon around the legs of the cage.

Thanks so much for the links Wendy, read through them all! Lots of fabulous info

 

[Allee]

I'm glad Parker's vet visit went so well! Sounds like he enjoyed his field trip.

 

[chris-md]

Allee, I can't say he "enjoyed" the trip. He can't fly, but he did try to fly away from the last person. I knew it was time to end it at that point, poor guy. Completely overwhelmed, but he took it like a champ.

 

[Allee]

Awww, poor guy! Wishful thinking on my part! I guess that last person was more than he could take, lol!

 

[SilverSage]

Food grade diatomaceous earth sprinkle it in the bottom of his cage,many even in/on his food is safe, though I doubt he would like the texture. I say again FOOD GRADE!

 

[chris-md]

Interesting you mention that SilverSage. I was a horticulturist in a prior life and diatomaceous earth was often a go to for keeping ants out of pots. Wasn't aware there was a food grade, I will definitely look into that!

 

[RavensGryf]

Parker sounds like such a dream bird. What a nice disposition he has . It's great when it turns out that way, as we never know what their personality will be like until they're actually living with us.

We "used to" have a BAD ant problem. This year, we took action at the very first sign of a few ants. Last year we waited too long until the infestation had alredy started. Hopefully this year we'll be under control. What we did was spray the entire perimeter of the house with an outdoor poison (we got a huge bottle of it with a spray gun attached). Of course it would not be possible if not a single family house. Then, we filled the places in the house that were known ports of entry with ant bait gel. For around the birds or the dog bowl, "just in case" ants get inside, we have Orange Guard which is a natural orange oil. It's toxic to bugs but not to birds or mammals. Knock on wood, but so far, no ants.