Something Bad Happened ... Electrical Cables

[Violet_Diva]

I called my partner after finishing work. All was well. He called me back a few moments later to say that he'd gone to see Dexter and found that he had escaped out of his cage and that he'd gotten out of one of the feeding doors and that he didn't know how long he'd been out for I guess I didn't shut the feeding door properly this morning. The doors have a kind of spring loaded sliding catch, and then the little round handle is turned and acts like a screw and tightens. (Obviously I am incredibly angry at myself for not realising.)

I got home, my partner managed to get Dexter back onto his cage so I put him inside. Checked around, found that some of the cats chicken with Ipakitine powder on was on the work top, (the cat didn't come in in the morning so it was untouched by felines), so there's a chance Dexter may have eaten a bit. So I called the nearest vet and they said it's effectively just a supplement, so Dexter should be fine even if he did have a nibble.

A while later my partner found that a speaker cable and the Internet cable were both in bits. (They weren't turned on - everything is always off if not being used).

Now I'm thinking 'What if he ate some wire or plastic?'

Do you think it's likely?

Am I being overly cautious or not?

Has anyone else's fid chewed on a wire?

Please advise this very guilty and worried parront...

 

[GaleriaGila]

Oh my gosh... best of luck. So sorry. I have been equally terrorized when the Rbird escaped a few times over the years.

Can you ask your vet? Maybe all you can do now is watch and be ready to spring into action?

 

[Loko]

I cant give any medical advice but Ive noticed that with Loco, he doesnt actually swallow most of the things he chews on unless food. Im not sure about your bird, but do you notice him trying to actually swallow the toys he chews apart?

 

[Flboy]

It really looks like you dodged a bullet! My God, this could've been so horrible!

 

[Quakerella]

My little lovie ate right through our bedroom cable wire one day. No harm to her, everything was fine. I did watch just to make sure. I am sure everything will be okay.

 

[plumsmum2005]

I called my partner after finishing work. All was well. He called me back a few moments later to say that he'd gone to see Dexter and found that he had escaped out of his cage and that he'd gotten out of one of the feeding doors and that he didn't know how long he'd been out for I guess I didn't shut the feeding door properly this morning. The doors have a kind of spring loaded sliding catch, and then the little round handle is turned and acts like a screw and tightens. (Obviously I am incredibly angry at myself for not realising.)

I got home, my partner managed to get Dexter back onto his cage so I put him inside. Checked around, found that some of the cats chicken with Ipakitine powder on was on the work top, (the cat didn't come in in the morning so it was untouched by felines), so there's a chance Dexter may have eaten a bit. So I called the nearest vet and they said it's effectively just a supplement, so Dexter should be fine even if he did have a nibble.

A while later my partner found that a speaker cable and the Internet cable were both in bits. (They weren't turned on - everything is always off if not being used).

Now I'm thinking 'What if he ate some wire or plastic?'

Do you think it's likely?

Am I being overly cautious or not?

Has anyone else's fid chewed on a wire?

Please advise this very guilty and worried parront...

Wow, not a good surprise. Did you see any traces that Dexter had been near the cat powder, foot prints, poops? There's usually some evidence they have been there?

Electrical Wires, Plum seemed to like just stripping the outer plastic off, something about the texture of it I think. I haven't seen him actually eat it. Fingers crossed this is the case for Dexter but keep a close eye on him and his poops for now. Anything not normal, you know what to do

 

[Kentuckienne]

It's a good thing it was just A/V cables and not power cords. I'm totally paranoid about those ... So tempting to chew, and as someone else here said, will make them a dead birdie. I hid all the cables I could, wrapped some in the covers sold for cable management, make sure nothing is in reach of the cage tha isn't armored...

 

[Violet_Diva]

As I'm still getting to know Dexter, I don't know if he would eat things he's chewing or not. He's definitely a chewer, Im replacing alot of his stuff in his cage and have some new things in the post on its way to me. His perches are overly worn and one is cracked. His plastic link chain is chewed like it's been gnawed by a dog!

He ate his supper last night and his breakfast this morning, I didn't notice anything unusual behaviour wise - but as he's still so new to me, I can't be sure.

There was a bit of chicken outside of the cat bowl that looked like it had been nibbled, but the vet is adamant that the Ipakitine won't harm him.

There are no cables near his cage, but he's not In the bird room yet as he's still in quarantine. He only got access to the wires from me seemingly failing to secure his food door properly and him sneaking out while I was at work

I pieced together the bits of cable we could find and a small amount is missing... It might be in the carpet but I don't want to take any chances.

I've taken him to the vets.

They're keeping him in to do x-rays

 

[Allee]

Wishing Dexter the very best. I'm glad you took him in, I hope the X-rays prove he didn't swallow a thing.

 

[Scott]

The chances of having swallowed either wire or insulation are small, but you are a very good parront for investigating! Hopefully the X-Ray won't show anything unwelcome!

 

[Violet_Diva]

Lots of worrying, stress, car rides, two x-rays and £180 later!

He didn't swallow any metal from the wires!!!

It was very surreal seeing little Dexters skeleton, but also very interesting. The vet was able to point out various organs and basically told me that everything looks good! They did however find some grit or small stones in his belly, but they said it's nothing to worry about!

*Phew*

That was a very foolish and expensive mistake I made.

Note To Self:
ALWAYS TRIPLE CHECK THE FOOD BOWL DOORS AFTER CLOSING
It could cost you £180
- or worse -
the life of your fid!

Thankyou everyone for your comments x

 

[Anansi]

Good call taking him in to see the vet. Chances are good he only chewed up the wires without actually swallowing any of it, but it's always better to be sure.

As for his actual escape, just so you know... while it could very well be that you failed to properly secure his food hatch, it's also quite possible that he figured out a way to open it. You might want to keep that latter possibility in mind.

I remember getting home from work one day and nearly having a heart attack upon finding Bixby just sitting contentedly atop his cage! How long was he out? I couldn't say. Fortunately, there was no damage that I could find. I assumed exactly what you have, cursed my perceived carelessness, and vowed to be extra careful in the future.

Yeah. Lol! A few days later, despite my careful and overly exaggerated door closing rituals, there was Bixby once again, chilling atop his cage to greet me upon my return home! Gah! That's how I came to realize that he was capable of leaving the cage anytime he felt like it!

I tell you that story just to warn you that it might not have been you. So you may want to consider other steps to more securely lock the food doors when you're not around. Just in case.

 

[Anansi]

*Sorry, obviously sent the prior post before getting to read your last response. So glad all is well with Sir Dexter!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Very pleased that Dexter is OK although your wallet is hurting :-(.

Plum very soon tried the let's have a go at the food bowl doors of his new cage and they were quickly cable tied shut! LOL. Once he realised that pays no attention to them now, fids!