nofearengineer
New member
- Sep 8, 2010
- 575
- 1
- Parrots
- Gandalf - CAG (1997-2010) R.I.P. my baby boy.
Bitty - CAG (2 yrs old? and working on spoiling her rotten)
I took off work early today and made the 2 hour drive to meet the lady with the CAG at the board certified vet in Louisville. Fun drive in the pouring rain.
First thing, she would not come out of her carrier. It worried me, until I realized she was scared of her surroundings, and not me. I offered her my keychain and she gladly chewed on it. She even sort of leaned towards me when I tried to coax her out, but not quite there yet. So she is not terrified of me at all.
She put up quite a fuss when the vet got her out and toweled her. A racket only grey lovers can appreciate. Boy was she quiet and aloof afterwards as she retreated further into her pet carrier. I figure next to the vet, I will probably look like Prince Charming.
I say "she" because she is tiny! Only 365 grams. Gandalf had to be pushing 575. No grey fringing on the tail feathers, but given her size and the shape of her head, I'd say it's a girl. He offered to DNA sex her for 65 bucks, but I'm a bit strapped this week, so I decided I'll do it later. It's not really important right now anyway.
All of her blood, mouth, and poop tests came back good except blood protein, which was 3.1, when it should be a 4.0. The vet said this was all diet, as she has been eating mostly seed, I would bet. She will be getting good pellet as soon as I can transition her onto it. Fresh fruits and veggies too. (And the occasional nip of pizza I must confess LOL.) I still have to wait until this weekend for the results of her white blood cell test, as that has to be shipped out. Only after that comes back clean will I go back and pick her up, with her cage.
Her feathers are all there, no plucking, but she is a bit ratty and tattered looking. I would have to bet her cage is not kept very clean. I asked the lady if she bathes, and was told no. We will fix that!!! I will get her feathers all neat and zipped up again.
This poor girl doesn't even have a name. While she may have been well-liked, it's hard for me to believe she was really loved if she didn't even have a name. I can't wait to get her home and get her comfortable around me. I'm going to go buy a oil-filled heater this weekend to keep near her cage, as the woman told me she keeps her house at 74, a bit higher than I keep mine. I will of course post some pictures when the new arrival....arrives.
I've been thinking about calling her "Bitty", as in "Itty Bitty" since she's such a petite girl. Any other ideas?
By the way, the vet asked about Gandalf, and I told him the story. He added that he has also seen the little Glade Plug-In air fresheners kill parrots, so consider yourself warned.
First thing, she would not come out of her carrier. It worried me, until I realized she was scared of her surroundings, and not me. I offered her my keychain and she gladly chewed on it. She even sort of leaned towards me when I tried to coax her out, but not quite there yet. So she is not terrified of me at all.
She put up quite a fuss when the vet got her out and toweled her. A racket only grey lovers can appreciate. Boy was she quiet and aloof afterwards as she retreated further into her pet carrier. I figure next to the vet, I will probably look like Prince Charming.
I say "she" because she is tiny! Only 365 grams. Gandalf had to be pushing 575. No grey fringing on the tail feathers, but given her size and the shape of her head, I'd say it's a girl. He offered to DNA sex her for 65 bucks, but I'm a bit strapped this week, so I decided I'll do it later. It's not really important right now anyway.
All of her blood, mouth, and poop tests came back good except blood protein, which was 3.1, when it should be a 4.0. The vet said this was all diet, as she has been eating mostly seed, I would bet. She will be getting good pellet as soon as I can transition her onto it. Fresh fruits and veggies too. (And the occasional nip of pizza I must confess LOL.) I still have to wait until this weekend for the results of her white blood cell test, as that has to be shipped out. Only after that comes back clean will I go back and pick her up, with her cage.
Her feathers are all there, no plucking, but she is a bit ratty and tattered looking. I would have to bet her cage is not kept very clean. I asked the lady if she bathes, and was told no. We will fix that!!! I will get her feathers all neat and zipped up again.
This poor girl doesn't even have a name. While she may have been well-liked, it's hard for me to believe she was really loved if she didn't even have a name. I can't wait to get her home and get her comfortable around me. I'm going to go buy a oil-filled heater this weekend to keep near her cage, as the woman told me she keeps her house at 74, a bit higher than I keep mine. I will of course post some pictures when the new arrival....arrives.
I've been thinking about calling her "Bitty", as in "Itty Bitty" since she's such a petite girl. Any other ideas?
By the way, the vet asked about Gandalf, and I told him the story. He added that he has also seen the little Glade Plug-In air fresheners kill parrots, so consider yourself warned.
I can feel your excitement - Bitty will be sooo happy, I am sure. 
