Ladyhawk
New member
- Apr 30, 2017
- 489
- 18
- Parrots
- Kizzy - (most likely) female blue-fronted Amazon, hatched on May 1, 2017; Gabby - Male double yellowheaded Amazon, hatched, April 1, 1986; died February 22, 2017
I scheduled Kizzy for a wing-clipping and medical examination when she was around eight weeks old, but it didn't happen. Her obvious delight after her first flight made me realize I didn't want to clip her. The lack of necessary equipment at the veterinary clinic made it clear there was no reason to take her there.
Our local CAV went to Cornell and is probably competent, but she doesn't keep a lot of necessities on hand because there aren't too many people in this sparsely-populated county who have large parrots. Those with 'tiels, budgies, lovebirds, finches, etc. probably don't take their birds to the vet very often.
Unfortunately, when she x-rayed Gabby at the beginning of that nightmarish week before his death, the struggle made him lose almost half his tail feathers. According to Dr. Speer, the x-ray was useless, as well. Had I known there were no competent staff members on hand at the local clinic, I would have restrained Gabby myself despite my mental state. I just assumed a veterinarian would have competent staff on hand for such things. Oops.
I learned my lesson and subsequently restrained Gabby for the next needed test. When she saw I knew what I was doing, she exclaimed, "Wow! I'd hire you on the spot!" We talked about my volunteering to help her on certain days, but when Gabby died, I really didn't want to see the inside of a vet's office for a long, long time. Maybe it's time to revisit the idea of volunteering for the sake of the local companion birds.
When I asked what tests she would perform, she didn't mention anything that required more than a physical examination. It used to be standard procedure to do a choanal and cloacal culture and perhaps a CBC. What is considered "standard" now? I'd like to have a baseline on hand.
What tests are truly necessary? When Kizzy is ready, I may decide to drive several hours so she can see Dr. Brian Speer. Neither of us is quite ready for that, but she needs a routine exam.
If the local vet had the right equipment, I suppose I could restrain Kizzy while she was examined. The problem is I don't know how Kizzy would react. Gabby always forgave me. Kizzy may feel differently. I certainly don't want to damage our relationship.
Kizzy will lie on her back in my hand. As time goes on, she is relaxing more and more. Sometimes she'll just fall over backward and count on me to catch her, but if I don't do it just right, she trains me to be more careful the next time. *pinch* "Next time, don't tweak my feathers, OK?" It's like the trust fall at a retreat, only Kizzy gives me zero warning.
When she's on her back, I no longer need a toy between her beak and my hands. Her pinches are still a bit too hard, but they've softened considerably since we began this exercise. We've made a lot of progress. I certainly don't want to blow everything by being the bad guy at the vet's office.
Our local CAV went to Cornell and is probably competent, but she doesn't keep a lot of necessities on hand because there aren't too many people in this sparsely-populated county who have large parrots. Those with 'tiels, budgies, lovebirds, finches, etc. probably don't take their birds to the vet very often.
Unfortunately, when she x-rayed Gabby at the beginning of that nightmarish week before his death, the struggle made him lose almost half his tail feathers. According to Dr. Speer, the x-ray was useless, as well. Had I known there were no competent staff members on hand at the local clinic, I would have restrained Gabby myself despite my mental state. I just assumed a veterinarian would have competent staff on hand for such things. Oops.
I learned my lesson and subsequently restrained Gabby for the next needed test. When she saw I knew what I was doing, she exclaimed, "Wow! I'd hire you on the spot!" We talked about my volunteering to help her on certain days, but when Gabby died, I really didn't want to see the inside of a vet's office for a long, long time. Maybe it's time to revisit the idea of volunteering for the sake of the local companion birds.
When I asked what tests she would perform, she didn't mention anything that required more than a physical examination. It used to be standard procedure to do a choanal and cloacal culture and perhaps a CBC. What is considered "standard" now? I'd like to have a baseline on hand.
What tests are truly necessary? When Kizzy is ready, I may decide to drive several hours so she can see Dr. Brian Speer. Neither of us is quite ready for that, but she needs a routine exam.
If the local vet had the right equipment, I suppose I could restrain Kizzy while she was examined. The problem is I don't know how Kizzy would react. Gabby always forgave me. Kizzy may feel differently. I certainly don't want to damage our relationship. Kizzy will lie on her back in my hand. As time goes on, she is relaxing more and more. Sometimes she'll just fall over backward and count on me to catch her, but if I don't do it just right, she trains me to be more careful the next time. *pinch* "Next time, don't tweak my feathers, OK?" It's like the trust fall at a retreat, only Kizzy gives me zero warning.
When she's on her back, I no longer need a toy between her beak and my hands. Her pinches are still a bit too hard, but they've softened considerably since we began this exercise. We've made a lot of progress. I certainly don't want to blow everything by being the bad guy at the vet's office.
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