What do you do when you don't trust your avian vet?

[Emberamazing]

Okay, so I have an amazing Eclectus parrot. Very sweet, female. And she's started a feather picking habit a few years ago. Now, it would come and go and after taking her to the vet, he said it was probably hormones.
But... It got worse. Her right leg always seamed to get itchy, and now she's chewing a hole in it. The same vet gave me antibiotic and soap. But that was the only option he would give me. This wouldn't bother me so much, if last vet visit he told me the only option after that was amputation. He seams awkward around birds in the first place and I get the sense, he's not sure what he's doing.
He's the only avian vet in the area though so I'm a little stuck. Any suggestions?

 

[SilverSage]

Oh my gosh!

I think it's time for a road trip. Maybe out of state. Something is up with your baby and clearly he isn't willing to think outside the box. AMPUTATION?? I. What world would that STOP self mutilation? Did he do any tests? Gram stains? Blood work? Skin scraping? Parasite screening? Or did he just pull out a canned answer and expect you to swollen it hole and go away?

That's terrifying. Where are you located? We might have members just outside your area who can recommend a decent vet that's worth the trip.

By the way welcome to the forum, we are glad you are here and we are on your side!


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[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, thanks for joining!

I well know the feeling of doubting a vet, but at least I have several good options. You may have to travel a considerable distance for a second opinion. Are you sure he is an avian vet?

 

[Emberamazing]

Welcome to the forums, thanks for joining!

I well know the feeling of doubting a vet, but at least I have several good options. You may have to travel a considerable distance for a second opinion. Are you sure he is an avian vet?

He claims to be, yes. As for traveling, I don't have a licence to drive yet. Had to rely on a freind both times. There's another avian vet, but I can't get a ride that far out.

 

[SilverSage]

It might be a situation where you need to get a ride as far as you can and then rely on Uber or public transit. It sounds like your bird's life is at risk here.


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[Emberamazing]

Oh my gosh!

I think it's time for a road trip. Maybe out of state. Something is up with your baby and clearly he isn't willing to think outside the box. AMPUTATION?? I. What world would that STOP self mutilation? Did he do any tests? Gram stains? Blood work? Skin scraping? Parasite screening? Or did he just pull out a canned answer and expect you to swollen it hole and go away?

That's terrifying. Where are you located? We might have members just outside your area who can recommend a decent vet that's worth the trip.

By the way welcome to the forum, we are glad you are here and we are on your side!


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No, no blood work, he didn't want to do a skin scraping, he did take a look for lice but well... Nothing else. Just "Here's the antibiotic! And some soap! Just wash the leg and bring her back in two weeks" Three times I think? Sorry, I'm a little stressed.

 

[Emberamazing]

You may be right. Though, I have seen some rays of hope. My grandmother used to breed Canaries so she showed me a few tricks and they're working somewhat. I just panicked because her leg's looking rough today.
I hadn't thought about UBER however. I don't know if they have a branch out here, but if they do, I'm making a bit of a trip soon it looks like. Thanks for the idea.

 

[SilverSage]

No problem. Your grandmothers tricks may do a little to sooth her in the mean time but keep in mind that there is almost certainly a major underlying health issue that MUST be properly diagnosed by a qualified avian vet. Where are you located? We have members all over the world and someone might be able to suggest a good vet worth the money and trustworthy.


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[Emberamazing]

Vernon Canada. The nearest vet is in Kewlona but.. he's the one I'm having issues with. There's a vet in Camloops though! As well as her breeder.
Thanks for your time BTW

 

[SilverSage]

The breeder might know if the vet there is worth traveling too!

I know we have some Canadian members and hopefully some of them are from your area. I only wish I could lend you my vet team! They aren't perfect but they don't stop digging.


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[Emberamazing]

Yeah. That's actually why I posted here. I'm going to try and get a hold of her. But I haven't spoken to her for a while. (The breeder that is)

 

[SilverSage]

Best of luck, please keep us updated! Your poor baby; I'm glad you are reaching out instead of listening to that crazy vet.

And as a breeder myself I can say if any of my babies were going through this I would want to know so that I could help.


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[Emberamazing]

Will do. Thanks for your advice.
And yeah. I just didn't feel right after he brushed off something like that, then jumped to amputation. It seamed a little off to me.

 

[BeatriceC]

Yikes! There's a whole lot to do before you start considering something as dramatic as as amputation. As others have pointed out, proper lab work is essential. Once you've ruled out anything medical, then you start looking at behavioral, and in the meantime, you treat the symptoms. My macaw used to chew holes in her skin. We used a cream on her skin to speed up healing and anti-inflammatory meds to help with discomfort while we worked on behavior modification. Additionally, medications like Haldol and Xanax can be used in birds to treat anxiety(though generally most successful with large cockatoos, and reasonably successful with macaws, then hit or miss with other species). Sometimes you can't get them to stop plucking, but you can get them to stop digging into their skin. Plus, if you take away the one leg, she'll likely just find some other body part to chew on. You really need to get to the bottom of why she's doing it.

Times like this I realize how lucky I am to have such an extraordinary vet so close to me. I wish I had better advise on how to access better care.

 

[Emberamazing]

Do you have the name of this cream? Or was it something the vet gave you? Her leg is trying to infect (Luckily we caught it now and well, I do have some supplies like that) Yeah, I'm looking into ways to get to a vet a ways over but it's not easy. Times like this I wish I'd learned to drive sooner. However, there's one thing about this bird I know I can count on. She bounces back FAST.
When we had a cone on her, it took all of a minute for her to relax. Apparently that's less than normal, and she puts weight on the foot often enough for me to think she'll be okay once we get the right treatment.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Good gracious, amputation, beyond belief.

Avian Veterinarians FYI

You can always phone and talk to a prospective new AV before you decide and ask them what they can do for your bird.

I hope you find one that is worth their weight. Are there any members that can help you out with transport, I would be pleased to help someone in need with transport in my vicinity?

 

[wrench13]

I can tell you, if the vet received their degree from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, as a lot of vets up there have - they have no Avian program. Just a FYI, when doing your research.

 

[Emberamazing]

Good gracious, amputation, beyond belief.

Avian Veterinarians FYI

You can always phone and talk to a prospective new AV before you decide and ask them what they can do for your bird.

I hope you find one that is worth their weight. Are there any members that can help you out with transport, I would be pleased to help someone in need with transport in my vicinity?

Thanks very much i'm in Vernon Canada and the nearest vet other than the one we've seen in the past is in Kamloops. If anyone is near by I'd apreciate the help, But I'm also looking into ways to get there on my own

 

[Emberamazing]

Thanks, I'll have to do some serious background checking from here on out

 

[GaleriaGila]

Just a few contributions.
I have recently switched to a REAL avian vet... it's an hour-and-a-quarter one-way trip, but worth it to know my bird is in expert hands. I can just SENSE the expertise and confidence in him and his staff.
Uber is GREAT. And it's pretty much everywhere in the world.
Good luck.
Hang in there.