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Post by julianna on Mar 17, 2016 12:49:46 GMT -5
Well.... the weather was just too bad to leave this morning. It was freezing rain all evening and everything was coated with ice and the highway we were going to take is treacherous enough without the ice. I had to cancel and re-book.
The vet had an opening next Thursday (she only sees birds on Thursday mornings or else it is late in the afternoon)... but we have to go to Toronto for our own doctors appointments. Cripes... when it rains, it pours. Now I have to wait until March 30th. I am not a happy mom. I tried finding other avian vets but it appears we only have the one (4 hours from here). I have no choice but to wait.
Aaron... wanted to say Oscar really likes the apple cider vinegar.
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Post by aaron on Mar 17, 2016 14:14:06 GMT -5
Darn... all those logistical issues are a pain for sure... but it's great that he really likes the vinegar! Cupcake seems to go back and forth on how she feels about it... but one thing's for sure, her droppings have looked SO much healthier ever since we put her on it.
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Post by julianna on Apr 1, 2016 14:02:23 GMT -5
Well... we finally had our visit with the vet. It was a nine hour drive in total and Oscar was a real trouper in the truck. He fussed a little on the way down but once I allowed him to stay on top of the cage instead of in it... he was cool with that.
The vet did an excellent check up. He throat is good, his eyes, ears, feathers, etc. were all very good. He did have a little enzyme in his poop but she said that it will go away with the help of the apple cider vinegar in his water. (good call Aaron) She trimmed his toes as his nails were too long. (I guess they do not trim them themselves enough). She used one of those spinning grinders and Oscar didn't seem to mind that much. She also told me that I had trimmed his wings wrong. It seems there has been a lot of debate on the internet and with various vets as to which feathers help them land safely.
I thought it was the long ones at the top but that is not the case. Those are the ones they use to take off with and the others can stay on. I learned something else... quakers do not need the grit only because they like it and might over eat it. Female quakers need the cuttle bone but not males.
She agreed that Oscar is a male because of how he humps things. She said some females will also do this but not very many... and because he does it on a yearly basis... she agrees he is a boy.
Now... the bad news. It cost me $175.00 to find out that he is too horny and too fat. ha ha ha ha... I still laugh hearing this. His motions of feeding is because he is in heat. Yes she said an hour is too long however, not that unusual. We had a film to show her how he does it... and she asked if he does it for either of us... like when he is on us. This does not happen and she said that it seemed that Oscar is feeding his foot. OMG my little boy is in love with his foot... lol lol.... Again... she assured me that it would pass.
He weighed in at 134 grams and needs to loose at least 15 grams so we are starting an exercise and diet today. He will be given only pellets and vegetables in the morning and at evening he can have some seeds with his pellets and a little fruit.
She praised me on taking such good care of the little guy... and I sure was one proud moma.
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Post by easttex on Apr 1, 2016 14:36:28 GMT -5
What a relief for you! I'm glad he's just a randy little guy. His weight is the same as Peppy's, but Peppy could actually weigh a bit more and still be in a good range for him. That's good information that the feeding attempts might go on that long. I'll file that one away for the future. Aren't you glad it's behind you?
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Post by aaron on Apr 1, 2016 14:39:09 GMT -5
LOL @ in love with his foot. In his defense, little bird feet are pretty damn cute. Although, I can't say they inspire me quite the same way  Glad to hear that his health is good in general! Sounds like you got mostly good news. Congrats! |
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Post by Angela on Apr 2, 2016 2:45:54 GMT -5
Glad to hear Oscar's vet visit went pretty well! Would have been wonderful hearing the positive feedback!
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Post by Jan and Shah on Apr 2, 2016 2:47:49 GMT -5
I kiss Shah's little feet every night - they are so cute. Am so glad that Oscar did well at the vet and was a model patient. I know that feeling of being so proud of your baby boy when they are so well behaved that even the vet and vet nurse comment on it.
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Post by beccilouise on Apr 2, 2016 4:07:43 GMT -5
HAHAHAHAHA, I just read this thread all in one go and nearly fell off my sofa laughing! Don't they scare us for the funniest reasons! Really glad Oscar is happy and healthy, shame his love object is not something you can remove, but I guess it'll pass right? Have you got pet insurance? When I had a scare the other day and took Maya to the vet, she had a whole load of tests, which cost me in excess of £400. Luckily, Maya is insured for up to £2,500 of vets fees, so I will only have to pay a small excess fee of between £30 - 70. The insurance is a massive life saver and, as nothing is wrong with Oscar, it's best to do it now just after he's been given a clean bill of health. Really pleased all is well  |
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Post by biteybird on Apr 2, 2016 5:34:01 GMT -5
Holy quaker, Oscar weighs 134 grams? Really? Sorry, Julianna, but he IS fat! I am really happy he's healthy, even though it seems he's more enamoured with his own foot than with you...I guess you can't win 'em all. LOL |
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Post by easttex on Apr 2, 2016 6:05:16 GMT -5
Up to 150g is considered within the normal range; depending on the individual bird, of course. I hope no one is calling Oscar fat to his pudgy little face. Rubenesque, portly, zaftig, pleasantly plump, or jolly, please. |
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Post by julianna on Apr 2, 2016 10:57:55 GMT -5
Personally I think he is just FAT. He loves to eat and because I am Ukranian... I love to feed animals and people... you name it. Of course his being fat is my responsibility and soon it will be fixed. I like your description easttex.... "pleasantly plump". People used to say that about me too until I lost 85 lbs.
I call Oscar fatso all the time... lol lol He can even say that himself... and boy ... is it funny to hear.
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Post by biteybird on Apr 2, 2016 17:02:51 GMT -5
This reminds me of the discussions we used to have with Sharyn about Mr. P... We haven't heard from her in quite a long time. |
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