Question on Foot Injury

[imouse1]

Hello!

I "purchased" a GCC from a local pet shop and he had to be held overnight to be picked up for scheduling reasons. (Manager needed to get thep provenance paperwork together so I could make vet appointments, etc., so was just going to go back the next morning, nbd, whatever--gave me the chance to spruce up his cage.) My GCC got a foot injury that night so when I went back for him the next morning he was not allowed to be released. I found out my purchase had been reversed and that they needed vet permission for him to be released or handled.

That was about 3 weeks ago. I've gotten an evolving story from different members of staff. Prior to the purchase, I had gone to see see Sir Birb at least every other day for about a month. I had put it out to the universe the first time I saw him that if he was still there after 30 days he was meant to be mine. I never saw anyone ever stop for him. And from the first time I saw him he would follow back and forth in the cage. Because of COVID, they're not letting anyone handle animals right now but we would play through the glass--I would put my finger over different toys and he would go to them and show off for me. Let be today clear: I'm not wanting a bird. I'm wanting *this* bird.

The last time I saw him he was still giving me glass-blocked high fives and I had introduced him to my mom. He looked completely normal. The evolving story went from a foot injury and they were watching him to see if he could be released, to they needed approval to take him to a vet, to they needed vet approval to release him for sale, and now today the reason he needs to see the vet is because **he's shaking**. It's been a few years since I've had birds but thar honestly doesn't sound good--that sounds like blood poisoning. They won't let me go to the vet appointment with him tomorrow or tell me where he's going and I'm really worried he's going to be put to sleep because they're going to be unable to justify the cost of the merchandise. I have a few appointments in the morning but I'm going to head straight over after that to go check on him. I've tried to ask if they'll call me so I can take responsibility for him or let me put down a deposit on him so he can't be destroyed.

Does anyone know what possible injuries could last for 3 weeks without there being a sense of urgency that could also come with shaking? Should I cancel my appointments in the morning and just camp out waiting for someone to tell me about Sir Birb--spend all day making demands? I'm really worried about him and what Dr. GoogleVet is telling me is not helping because I'm not sure what I'm looking for.

TIA!

-Mouse

 

[imouse1]

This is Sir Birb the last time I saw him. He looked perfectly great and normal
Edit" for some reason it didn't upload the original video so here is a screen recording of it haha

 

[Littleredbeak]

I actually was in a similar situation - got the bird not because I wanted her but because she needed someone. She had a "severely impeded band". Have you seen her since they said she had a leg injury? It's very plausible she actually did have an injury. My bird was shaking due to infection and i imagine being in a he'll of a lot in pain. Honestly I'd contact the owner of the story...to see what's going on. Explain you purchased the bird and it was refunded. Your very attached to this bird and would like to continue the purchase despite future medical bills. See how it goes. Ease keep us updated!!

 

[imouse1]

I actually was in a similar situation - got the bird not because I wanted her but because she needed someone. She had a "severely impeded band". Have you seen her since they said she had a leg injury? It's very plausible she actually did have an injury. My bird was shaking due to infection and i imagine being in a he'll of a lot in pain. Honestly I'd contact the owner of the story...to see what's going on. Explain you purchased the bird and it was refunded. Your very attached to this bird and would like to continue the purchase despite future medical bills. See how it goes. Ease keep us updated!!

No. They have not allowed me to because 's not on display since hasn't been approved to be released for sale for the evolving reasons, and they've replaced with 6 parakeets that have the same colors as like I wouldn't notice .

I have no idea what 's actually in or what the extent is. I haven't been able to get through to the ‍♀, just been passed through to the voicemail box and she never seems to be available when I'm on site. I've still been going at least every other day hoping someone will let me.see him or tell me more but no luck so far; just the ever-evolving story.

I may just be overly but since the story seems to be evolving I'm 's ** is what is evolving, and that they didn't push for the quickly enough. I'm worried that 's is now because they let him walk and play as usual while it was and it got infected. I'm just not sure what to expect. I was someone had some advice on what to go and say about what to expect so I can burst in and demand haha. Unlikely, but always hope, right?

For the time being, I'm just preparing for like 's coming home soon. Though, part of me is worried because one of the associates told me was sold at one point and when I told was at the and that the sale had been revoked seemed surprised. So, went to the back and when came back was the one who (last week) told me that was walking around fine and perching well but that tomorrow the first vet appointment they could get (when they scheduled on the 29th), and that it was policy after an to get approval to release animals for sale.

I am building a custom cage already, though, to go with 's standard cage so if needs modifications that won't be a problem. I have a standard cage set up with some toys, perch, etc. so can heal and ☺, adjust, habituate, etc... I am definitely going to keep his , , , etc. in there for the time being as 's other one won't be ready for a couple weeks. Some of the supplies won't be shipped until Friday and the linseed/beeswax needs 4 days to dry between each coat and you're supposed to do 3 coats, so 16 days from the 1st day to make sure there are no fumes or mess for .

I bought him an old solid wood cabinet (untreated, sanded off the varnish) and I'll in the process of oiling it down with the raw linseed and beeswax combo to seal the wood based on a recipe I saw on these forums when the linseed oil is delivered on Friday. It has a top cubby with a glass shelf I'm going to clean with vinegar, a back, 2 sides, a top and bottom, and 2 glass doors as a front I'll prepare as below. Then a middle cubby with no back or front, 2 sides, and a top and bottom, which I'll prepare as below. Then an open shelf and 2 drawers I'm going leave as-is to store 's stuff.

In the top cubby, I'm building him a rest area that I can see as but which has the UVs blocked, the lights turned down, and will have cork put in to absorb noise after the sides have been treated. Then I'll cover the glass shelf and the railing in cork to also help absorb noise but also to reduce any chance of injury. The shelf is just tall enough for to bend down slightly and prance around up there below the shelf I'm going to make sure he has and as attached to the glass for easy access that way 's more encouraged to stay on the bottom. I read on these forums if you give GCCs anything to nest with you're toast so I just want to make a room can go to when wants the since I also live in a with . Below the shelf 'll have enough room to ‍, around standing so I'm going to put soft toys in there he can roll BUT there will be a hole in the bottom for access to it attached to a on one side and with a perch on the other so he can come and go as he wants. The will attach to the one described below.

In the middle cubby I'm building a play area with some foraging , makers, and danglers. It'll be next to a "jungle" of oregano and basil I already had growing in my garden I'm going to put in some PVC 2-way pipe surrounded by some of the (I already had growing and will transplant) based on the forum suggestions I here that said some conures enjoy these colors and tastes. If doesn't like them, I have some small living beets with baby greens that are supposed to be safe I can put in hydroponically for . The will have the added bonus of helping keep 's air clean, being easy to rinse off, and edible to . I am also going to have another corner with a swinging substrate box with a down to the tray in the bottom on one side and 3 perches I hope to teach him to in. Then in the other corner I am going to put some just fun fidgets.

I have PVC pipes in ⅛" to ¾" to make perches of varying sizes to prevent the sores and arthritis, but I'm for the to arrive to start wrapping them. I'm trying to decide if I want take a set of custom sand perches for by doing a piece of sand on each of the perches--and I want to link up each of the different sized pipes so they vary in size and that there's at least 5 of them going in varying directions--or if I just want to buy them and make room for them in the cage.

In the bottom layer I'm going to just have substrate in 2 of the corners to allow for the toileting and just seed foraging, with one of the other corners being the tray around the customized , and then the opposite corner being the . When the mini come in season in the spring, I'll start training them to grow upside down, as well, to give him a bit of variety. Rosemary was also on the approved list and I have a bit rosemary bush so I broke off a couple of small branches to see if I can get them to take root so sometime down the line I can replace the pipe with a , and can have a live tree in the custom cage.⅛

I saw a 📽 on YouTube for using a Catit as a and someone suggested using a silicone pipe to increase the height so I'm in the process of for that for as well as verifying the ion exchange pellets in the filters are safe for .

I'm still working on getting the to stay in place as they now grow bending 360°

I ordered solid steel, non-galvanized ¼" metal grating that I will use to make a on a diagonal bias offset on both sides to make it ⅛" so I'll always be able to see and get to when I need to and 'll be closed in without being able to get out when I need to. I'm going to, again, make these into so when I open them they have the and on them with perches as I open them for each access. I'll put them closer to the top with a catch on the bottom for and any mess should decide to get Picasso. I'm just having trouble finding non-treated, plain that isn't plywood that will be thin enough to make out of. I'm strangely having an easier time finding plexiglass at this point and I might skip everything else for that if I can't find the .

I figure by the time is comfortable getting around in there I will have had to build 's perch to sit by me and we can start our trust building exercises in case feels shy once gets . I hope not but after 's and the 🗓 we've been apart may feel a bit And I can't blame because that isn't 's fault. I shouldn't have worried about the and just taken and asked for everything later, especially since the is AFK or in the wind or something. Maybe I should corporate and see if I can get them to give me first option.

Still over here cleaning and getting ready just in case he can come home later today. But if anyone has any advice on what to expect about potential I'm all How to help keep calm and not too active to help heal or anything else, should get released to me in such such a state. Again, I don't know the diagnosis other than now 's shaking after 's so that's why has to see the in order to be released for sale, so I don't know what to expect--especially since I don't know when since the 29th the shaking started or what the was or the extent of it.

's custom cage obviously hasn't been built yet so suggestions on adaptations to think about are also welcome while I gather supplies. My last never had so I'm not sure what to expect and I just want to make sure I get the right stuff to give the right life deserves.'ll fit right in with all the other disabled pets! (lul) But even if isn't disabled, he has a waiting for .

 

[Littleredbeak]

Is this a big chain store or a mom and pop shop? Where are you located? Different areas have different rules and guidelines

 

[SailBoat]

Get your money back and RUN!

 

[imouse1]

Is this a big chain store or a mom and pop shop? Where are you located? Different areas have different rules and guidelines

Big chain store. Largest city in my small State, currently duking it out for poorest in the nation due to our bottom 10 population density ÷(

 

[imouse1]

Get your money back and RUN!

They already refunded me but I'm still worried about Gregg. He deserves better ÷(

 

[imouse1]

Well, after several calls today the manager is put picking up all the animals that had to go to the vet today do they said to call back in an hour. Some had to be put down but they don't know who until they adjust inventory.

 

[Littleredbeak]

What? You're in the US? That sounds really bizarre they will tell you they are putting animals down. If it's a big chain store call the main office and go from there.

 

[imouse1]

What? You're in the US? That sounds really bizarre they will tell you they are putting animals down. If it's a big chain store call the main office and go from there.

I should reiterate that where I live the ability to read does not go hand-in-hand with the ability to graduate high school.

 

[imouse1]

Okay.

So, I called back last night and the manager--who turns out to no longer be a she (not sure of there was a change over or what)--was dodging my questions about Gregg.

I went in after my appointments and just got in. He's going really well! I guess the woman who was going the bird caring had gone on vacation and the man who took over for him saw Gregg hanging upside down playing (as he does) and thought he had an injury. No one thought to call the woman so they put him in quarantine. The vet thinks Gregg was shaking because he was hearing all the other animals being loud in the back, plus not being allowed out to see anyone or handled. I laid eyes on him today and he's looking a little sad but he's okay. I need someone to help me drive him home so his cage doesn't fall over (a couple sharp turns on the way back unless I put him directly in front of the vent that blows at 200% all the time) so we're going to pick him up in the morning.

So, no foot injury after all. Just an inexperienced handler who was afraid to reach out and a manager who didn't want to question it. I have his temporary space ready for him to enjoy some peace and transitory quiet the next couple of weeks while his cabinet is in its finishing stages. His infrared heater arrived yesterday so it's plugged in curing in another room so he'll have some low-noise, UV-free, ambient heat now yhe weather's turned. We have an appointment with another avian vet next week just to be sure everything is okay *just in case*. Provided there's no mysterious second injury tonight, I won't be having an absolute stroke tomorrow haha.

Thanks for everyone who reached out! Once Gregg gets a little settled, I'll post some pics of him. ÷)

PS:

Do conures have any special species-specific considerations for transitions compared to other birds? As opposed to cockatiels or finches? I'm assuming the same idea of food, water, quiet, warmth, clean cage, perch, and toys. After his last almost 3 weeks in solitude and noise, I'm sure that's what he'll need and I haven't seen anything else looking online but Dr. Google, DVM isn't exactly thorough. I'm going to go get stuff to make his chop here in a few minutes so he'll also have some fresh food when he gets in =)

 

[imouse1]

I just wanted to let everyone know Sir Birb made it home yesterday. He didn't like the bed we got him and is uncomfortably sleeping on his millet perch (which he's waking up every hour to pick at when he shifts to his other leg, poor thing =[ ). I'm staying up and checking on him with night mode on my camera just in case he has any problems, especially now the weather has gotten cold--I don't want him to get too cold. I turned up the hear on his hearing blanket because of how puffy he looks and he seems to be more comfy now. I'll go get him a more straw-like bed since all he did with the coconut one was try to kill it earlier lol (Not a fan, bro, I got it!)

But other than that, Sir Birb looks absolutely great!

He spent the better part of 12 hours alternating between playing Stranger Things and Submariner with basically no in-between on any of the perches or toys (except to eat some food to get some energy to try and go murder his bell and propeller toy lul). Very few vocalizations: Mom scared him when she popped in to see him so he squawked; he clicked like a velociraptor a few times (insert: childhood PTSD here); and he squawked at me when I didn't release the bell toy fast enough; but that's it so far. He's been quiet in all the time I've known him, anyway, so I'm not super surprised. In, probably, the...90ish hours I stalked him at the store he never made any sounds so I was glad he did today so I know that in case he needs my attention I know he can call for me. As long as his being quiet isn't because he's stressed, scared, or unhappy, I'm okay with it =)

Thanks for everyone's patience!

Here's some pics from Day 1 of Quarantine and the first day of our great life ÷)

 

[Stitchthestitch]

Welcome home little one!

You've really gone through the mill to gett him haven't you?

I wish you a happy future together

 

[imouse1]

Welcome home little one!

You've really gone through the mill to gett him haven't you?

I wish you a happy future together

It was one of those "kismet" things, I think. Was in no way looking for a new pet, was in negative ways looking for a new bird because ofy.past negative experiences but we just bonded for about a month in the pet store. Don't know why but I just felt like I had to go back to see him. I promised the universe if he was still there at the one month mark I would take him home so when he disappeared the next day my heart was broken =( Can't leave my wingman hanging haha (even if he likes to hang )

I was looking over the paperwork last night and we met the day he literally landed in the store lol and it turns out he's just barely over 4 months old so we're gonna have more time to train out some bad habits since he wasn't hand fed much. He's really into trying new foods, though, so he's learning if he bites mama too hard those go away.

Sir is wicked smaht, as they say out east lul. He will also do step up on bowls so far so we're on our way =)

Thanks for the well wishes!

 

[fiddlejen]

Oh congratulations! I'm so glad you stuck to your guns and kept following up! I think you may have saved that bird with your persistence. I am sure Sir Bird is going to do well with you. Congratulations again!

 

[Littleredbeak]

Yah! I'm glad you were able to bring him home! I used a heates perch to help keep my peeps warm.

 

[imouse1]

Yah! I'm glad you were able to bring him home! I used a heates perch to help keep my peeps warm.

I'll definitely look into one of these!

I was going to wait to buy him his modified cat fountain for his birb baths but he is just going ham on any kind of water bowl haha so, best to give in on this since it's a healthy behavior. The heated perch will help keep him warm so he doesn't get sick! Thanks again!