Still aggressive intermittently + What should I ask the vet?

[Remy]

He had a bad day a few days ago, and then seemed to feel better. He was fine this morning, and we took a shower together. I went to work for a couple hours, and when I came home he acted like he didn't want to be picked up at first, so I didn't. Then he did act like he wanted to be picked up, so I put my hand up to him and he JUMPED at me and latched onto my finger! I had to shake him off onto the floor, and then put him in his travel cage for a time out...

My finger is bleeding in two places!

And now he's off time out, and acting normal again! He's acting very agreeable and sitting on my knee and being affectionate.

I've only had him about a month, but this behavior seems to be new. He's been having unprovoked aggression on and off for a few days.


Fortunately, I have a vet appointment for him tomorrow. I made it before this behavior started, but now I'm really glad I did.

Are there any questions I should ask the vet, or any tests I should have run? I was going to ask about his dry beak (mineral deficiency?) and now his aggression.

 

[upcgirl]

first off, what environment changes have there been?

You said you left for a few hours to go to work... did you start a new job, start new hours?
Have you moved his cage?
Have you replaced any of his toys lately?
Has the weather changed drastically?
Have you changed something in his diet or sleeping habits lately?

How has your mood been the last few days?
our birds pick up on our moods, so if you have had bouts of anxiety or moodiness, Puck will surely pick up on it.

 

[Remy]

Now he's acting normal again. It appears to come in bursts...

Nothing appears to have changed! Same job, same hours, same toys, same cage location, same food, etc.

I've been in a relatively good mood for the most part, except when he attacks me! My boyfriend and I argue sometimes, but it doesn't seem to bother Puck. My mom and her roomie babysat him for a few hours yesterday and reported that he was extra nippy.

I've noticed that the last few days, even when he's not in aggro mode, he seems to get wound up more easily and has been calling for me more than he was. I can't figure out what it is! Hopefully the vet tomorrow will be able to figure it out.

 

[upcgirl]

try a new toy or two. Sometimes they get bored with the same stuff and they need something new to challenge them. It may help with him not being "clingy" and calling for you and maybe will help with the aggression issue too.

What kind of toys do you have in his cage? Maybe try something he can tear up, to relieve stress. And maybe something else fun

 

[upcgirl]

Remy, how did the vet appointment go? Hopefully, everything got worked out Please let us know!

 

[Remy]

It went well! She said he appears healthy. We decided to do a blood test just to check things out, and she called me today and said his RBC/WBC count was normal, but that they weren't able to get enough blood to do the plasma thing (kidney/liver stuff) so we have to get back next week and have some more blood drawn. Apparently he's a difficult patient! He also got his beak and nails trimmed, along with his blood drawn, so he wasn't a happy camper at all. He was even able to give the dentist a good bite. She said he's very "determined". XD

 

[suebee]

glad puck is all healthy and appointment went well!

 

[upcgirl]

At least he is healthy And that is a wonderful thing Max, my Senegal parrot, had her first vet examination last weekend and she was a bit cranky too. She had her nails done and had to get a little blood drawn, which the needle lacerated her vein a little. I got her a new toy from the vet's office to cheer her up

 

[Remy]

Yeah, his little wing was all bruised from struggling with the needle in! She that's when she referred to him as determined. I gave him some arnica homeopathic later that evening, and it seemed to help, because he stopped favoring that wing pretty soon after.

I ordered him a bunch of toys before I made this post, but they're not here yet because the place who makes them was affected by the hurricanes... should be shipped next week though.

 

[suebee]

glad our birds don't milk it for all its worth lol!! glad both birdies are ok

 

[Remy]

Oh, he was pathetic after! I did feel bad for him though. He his wing was slightly lifted off his body and trembling. It was very sad, and I felt guilty that I had to run off to class! I'm not sure if it was the attention when I got home or the arnica, or both, but he stopped it after that.

I should also note that he's been much more pleasant to me since his vet appointment!

 

[suebee]

then that is good!! i read another one of those help my bird is biting me pages an lost link grrr but in this one, and it sounded very plausable, for certain types of bites nut was dishing out, was she was basically over excited, so she would bite

since i've caged her more, she no longer gets over excited (unless bath times been delayed etc) bites have decreased alot

 

[Remy]

Sometimes it seemed like that may have been the case. It seemed like he might have just had a lot of energy and not known what to do with it.

I can't wait for his new toys to arrive! He has toys, but I think these ones might be better.