The Continuing Capers of Companion-ing Cotton

[Cottonoid]

Thank you all for the encouragement!

So far on initial exam - (my phone died so I ended up just writing up everything now that we're home)
* Yes staining above nares but no active discharge (an improvement!)
* No visible or palpable swelling in sinuses
* Eyes looked fairly clear w ophthalmoscope so redness does seem to be improving, all anatomy around eyes does not appear to be dramatically inflamed or swollen
* Oral cavity - all within normal, no sign of yeast overgrowth, crop looks good
* Skin - some mild abrasions along naked wing edges (suspect could even be from today as opposed to chewing because of direction and how fresh they are) but otherwise skin looks very normal for an end of winter bird - he thinks this is good considering Cotton has been mostly naked through all of winter and photos from 2 months ago he looks more flaky.
* Weight 95g which is under species average but said his body condition is "ok" and his musculature is good in chest especially so he may just be a bit petite for his species (can gain more too)
* Said he was a very very good patient - definitely fearful but didn't "give up" from fear, instead was curious and a little sassy even though very skeptical (I credit this to this particular vet's amazing gentle energy!). He reiterated that the long game and following Cotton's lead is the way to go.

Plan:
* Continue doxycycline for full 45 days
* Send out fecal sample for Giardia
* If Giardia positive, reassess plan
* If Giardia negative, wait 2 weeks after doxycycline completed then consider treating anyway


So overall he's doing well. What a relief!!

He did SO good in the car! He fgured out he could see out the window from the higher perch so he kept climbing up there when he'd *bloop* fall off the back of it at the little rebound when the car stopped at lights.

Look at this brave cutie!

 

[Laurasea]

Look at how dry that nose is!!!
Look at how brave and how he trust you! Those eyes yippee all day long!!!
Sounds like a great plan!! Sounds like you found a great veterinarian that's a blessing

Agree needs to gain some

 

[Cottonoid]

Look at how dry that nose is!!!
Look at how brave and how he trust you! Those eyes yippee all day long!!!
Sounds like a great plan!! Sounds like you found a great veterinarian that's a blessing

Agree needs to gain some

He said "well at least with his weight low you can feel all his organs and muscles and it all feels good" hehe

 

[Cottonoid]

I'm just sitting here so happy that I went to this vet! I actually told him before he even took Cotton for the exam that I'd been trying to get in to a CAV but I just TRUST him and was so glad he fit me in.

Every time I've seem him with any of my pets it's like getting a nice strong hug from the universe!

 

[Cottonoid]

Well Cotton's run out of feathers to chew and has a bloody stump spot now eegads - i think it stopped bleeding, no drips and definitely dry on the skin - I was looking at that photo of him in the carrier and saw the blood on the ladder and then realized his tail was not symmetrical.

New sparkling clean more fun cage arrangement coming up, little chewy man!

 

[Cottonoid]

Back on his favorite perch, beak grinding while staring straight at me, fluffy head little man I added and rearranged toys and a couple perches, and hid walnuts in a few toys. I showed him one while I was doing it and explained what I was doing.

Guess what the first thing he headed to was? Smart little monkey bird.

 

[Henderbird]

That is such a cute ring neck! I’m new to this forum and haven’t read all the replies in this thread yet but I can tell I’m going to enjoy it lots!

 

[Cottonoid]

That is such a cute ring neck! I’m new to this forum and haven’t read all the replies in this thread yet but I can tell I’m going to enjoy it lots!

Welcome! I'm hoping to get back to posting more adventures and less nose/eye/poop complaints soon!

 

[Laurasea]

Back on his favorite perch, beak grinding while staring straight at me, fluffy head little man I added and rearranged toys and a couple perches, and hid walnuts in a few toys. I showed him one while I was doing it and explained what I was doing.

Guess what the first thing he headed to was? Smart little monkey bird.

View attachment 38295View attachment 38296View attachment 38297

The peek, the side eye, the out and about!
Is this first time ever out and explore?!!! Celebration

 

[Cottonoid]

The peek, the side eye, the out and about!
Is this first time ever out and explore?!!! Celebration

Yes!!! He did explore, too! But then he got a Reaction when he walked under the Heater so he kept doing it!

I have a feeling he will be very sassy once we really know each other

 

[HeatherG]

Hi,

I had a rescued conure who was almost that naked. I made him a sweater out of a sock because he looked so miserable and cold all winter. He was mad when I put it on him but appeared more comfortable after that.

Did you ever think of giving cotton a sock sweater? Or a pipe insulation collar for a while to see if he would grow back some of his feathers? I collared my boy because he was chewing holes in himself. (He was thoroughly vetted and we could find no reason for his plucking besides his awful past.)

I do think collars are stressful but sometimes they are better than the alternative. I wonder if Cotton grew in some feathers if he would feel better. At least he wouldn’t be cold.

 

[Laurasea]

she got him the sweeter heater!! He will never be cold with that awesome radiant heat panel! Can't recommend it enough....wait lol aren't i always recommending it

 

[HeatherG]

Back on his favorite perch, beak grinding while staring straight at me, fluffy head little man I added and rearranged toys and a couple perches, and hid walnuts in a few toys. I showed him one while I was doing it and explained what I was doing.

Guess what the first thing he headed to was?

she got him the sweeter heater!! He will never be cold with that awesome radiant heat panel! Can't recommend it enough....wait lol aren't i always recommending it

I had a block heater for my very old Quaker. Yes, she really liked it. Maybe I’ll hook it up next winter for Willow.

 

[Cottonoid]

The one I have is infrared so it's hard to tell how warm he feels from it, but he clearly didn't mind being 2 inches away from the heating surface!

They're made in Wisconsin so it was practically at my house 5 minutes after I ordered it. I love it so far!

HeatherG thank you for the collar and sweater ideas! It's just this past week that he's gone full Baldy McBalderson again so I hadn't looked into much yet.

My first dog had chewed the actual skin off his tail when I first got him and it was a very very long time of an Elizabethan collar, pain meds, antibiotics, and anxiety meds to break that cycle.

Cotton fits right in around here, is what that really means

 

[Henderbird]

The one I have is infrared so it's hard to tell how warm he feels from it, but he clearly didn't mind being 2 inches away from the heating surface!

They're made in Wisconsin so it was practically at my house 5 minutes after I ordered it. I love it so far!

HeatherG thank you for the collar and sweater ideas! It's just this past week that he's gone full Baldy McBalderson again so I hadn't looked into much yet.

My first dog had chewed the actual skin off his tail when I first got him and it was a very very long time of an Elizabethan collar, pain meds, antibiotics, and anxiety meds to break that cycle.

Cotton fits right in around here, is what that really means

Aww! Keep the pictures coming too when you can!

 

[Cottonoid]

Cotton tested my bamboo skewers as a feather-shaft chewing replacement and found it woefully inadequate. Too stiff, not enough delightful crunchy sound when nibbled, all around disappointment.

 

[Cottonoid]

Ok I caught him! He holds his feathers in his foot and nibblenibblenibbles along the shaft! And I wonder if he'll start mutilating his skin when his feathers are gone If he wasn't ill, I'd consider giving him the feathers he snipped off all tied together but they're surely covered in germs.

but in the meantime a kinda blurry far away photo of a very cute naked birdie

And a naked birdie being even cuter

He's started drinking water by hanging upside down on the side of the cage instead of using the perches or the side of the water bowl and I love him soverymuch

My photo attempt of that failed because I giggled with delight and he was instead expecting exclamations of wonder at his athletic prowess

 

[StormyPica]

Oh, Cotton! Such a goofball

 

[Henderbird]

Cotton is too cute! His “nakedness” is also adorable and makes him special, especially in your eyes!

 

[kme3388]

I am very sorry about Cotton getting sick. I am glad to hear that he is doing better, and that you were able to get him into a vet.

There are hoodies, soft collars, and several options for feather plucking parrots to keep them warm. Nico lets me put on his birdie clothing. He actually helps now. If cotton is still scared of hands this may not be an option without compromising the relationship you have with him.

Cotton looked so adorable in his carrier!!! He is just a cutie pie. Eventually I am sure he will come out of his shell. Then you can give him snuggles from all of us.