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Post by jeannes on Jul 24, 2016 13:01:10 GMT -5
In all of her 11 years, Starry has never been to a vet. I plan on taking her to one next week but I have some questions;
What should I teach her before we go? (Hold wings up, lay on back, etc)
Will it ruin what small amount of trust she has in me?
What are some good vets in Virginia who are good with birds?
What is an estimate on cost?
This whole vet thing is quite stressful for me.
Thanks for any info,
Camille + Starry
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Post by duckysmom on Jul 24, 2016 13:21:16 GMT -5
I've taught all my birds to let me gently touch them all over their body, legs and feet. I touched their beak as well, usually pretending to help them clean it off. Laying their back I did by singing rock-a-bye baby and making it a game. Ducky hates his feet touched and isn't thrilled with his wings being handled, but allows it for a few seconds. It is important to distinguish between touching and petting. Ducky, being a baby, lets me touch him most places but does not like petting on his legs, chest and throat area but is ok with touch. I would start by just seeing where she is tolerant of being touched. Let the vet know. And make sure it is a aviary vet.
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Post by julianna on Jul 24, 2016 14:14:20 GMT -5
One of the best things is to get him used to a towel. The vet will probably hold him in a towel and if he is used to it... there will be less fuss. I used to take a small hand towel and play with Oscar with it... by putting my fingers underneath it and letting him chew it. Eventually I used the towel after he had a bath and would wrap him lightly in it.
By the time I went to the vet the first time he was very used to the towel and it never bothered him at all when they wrapped him in it to examine him.
Prices vary but when I went for his first check up and had his wings and nails trimmed it cost me $200.00 Canadian.
Be sure to bring him in a carrying cage and do not let him out until the vet says it is okay. Don't worry about him loosing trust in you... you are now the Mommy and once the vet is finished... I am sure he will be ever so happy to be back in your arms.
I know I was stressed also when I took Oscar for his first check up and he had not seen a vet in 7 years. I had to drive 3 1/2 hours to get there and then there was the ride home. I did all of this to find out he was too fat and too horny... lol... It all worked out okay.
I am sure the vet will be happy to know that you are changing his diet and might want to see him again in a few months.
Best wishes.
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Post by jeannes on Jul 24, 2016 14:20:33 GMT -5
Ok I will try. She is s super moody and as soon as she is bored of you she bites. Today she had great progress. I think she will be fine with the towel, however probably not with her wings being messed with, or her toes.
Should I have her wings clipped? Is it necessary?
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Post by easttex on Jul 24, 2016 15:30:21 GMT -5
I agree about towel training, though if you're lucky and find a very experienced avian vet, Starry might not need the toweling.
Many people feel very strongly about clipping, one way or the other, and a good case can be made either way. I personally don't clip, but if I couldn't just about guarantee that my bird won't fly out a window or door, I would think about doing it. For me, it's not so much a romantic notion about a bird not being a bird if it can't fly (hey, Kiwis are birds) as it is that I think it is healthier physically and maybe mentally, too. But safety comes first.
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Post by duckysmom on Jul 24, 2016 20:35:23 GMT -5
Ducky is clipped for safety reasons, but he can get lift a glide very well. It really is a personal and situational issue. And if you decide to clip, then wish hadn't, feathers grow back.
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Post by jeannes on Jul 24, 2016 20:55:41 GMT -5
Ducky is clipped for safety reasons, but he can get lift a glide very well. It really is a personal and situational issue. And if you decide to clip, then wish hadn't, feathers grow back. Well she never really learned to fly so when she does it usually ends up with her gliding into a wall (lightly!) and then walking the floor 😂 I think I want her to learn to fly a bit more. That last line reminds me of something I said to my mom to convince her to let me shave my head! Haha |
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Post by easttex on Jul 25, 2016 4:34:02 GMT -5
If you can't find an avian vet another way, you can do a search here: www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803All you really need to input are country and state. The list includes those who are members of aav, and not all of them are avian certified, but they are those with some interest and knowledge of birds. The aav vet closest to me charges $45 for an initial visit, and any tests or treatments are additional. I'd plan for something in the neighborhood of $150 if Starry gets a fecal and a blood panel along with the physical exam. Some of it depends on how much analysis they can do in-house. That's in my area, and could be different in yours. Let the vet be the bad person and do all the restraining, etc. It will probably stress Starry, but it will help if you don't show her your anxiety. They can easily pick up on that. |
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Post by beccilouise on Jul 25, 2016 4:49:50 GMT -5
Hi there! I second the view of the others. Towelling and being 'grabbed' (picked up gently but firmly with a hand over the back and around the wings) are really useful skills for them to master. Also, insurance is a really good shout for birds as avian vets are expensive. I'm with an insurance company called 'Exotics Direct', although they are UK based, but given that parrots are a far more popular pet in the US, you're likely to have a wider range of insurers to choose from. My insurance company have saved me at least £600 in the last year with Maya, so it really is worth it.
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Post by jeannes on Jul 25, 2016 5:28:46 GMT -5
I found a vet that is avian certified but he is an hour away. He seems to be recommended by many breeders in his area. I think I will try to go there
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