Hi new here need some advice about a White Front Amazon

[Clueless]

Yay!!!!

 

[Fuzzy]

Another YAY from me too!

 

[Just-passn-thru]

:super::sunflower:

It always amazes me here on Avian Avenue, the amount of knowledge, and caring support, thats offered up to people reaching out for help. I'm so happy Bugsy is taking an interest in a nutrient dense diet .
Hopefully you'll be able to get her in for a wellness checkup and CBC, Comprehensive panel. Keep us updated on her progress.

 

[Snowghost]

Update, Bugsy is much better, squawked 4 times last evening and woke up, squawked for her morning treats. I fed her slivered almonds and 2 nutri berries. Found some vitamins for parrots. The ones I were giving her were for parakeets. I am so glad I found this group. I had googled bird health in the past and this group never showed up. Oh well I'm a member now.

I feel bad that she wasn't getting the correct nutrients. Over the years I have introduced new foods to her know she needed them. I had cockies, love birds and parakeets that loved any veggie I would give them. I know she is finicky. I will admit I didn't know nutri berries were healthy, I just thought they were another expensive treat. I did get her to eat a dried fruit mixture a year ago. I was just ecstatic when she finally would eat something besides peanuts.

Everyone is in this group has been helpful and especially Kazoo Bird Company for all of her advice. I will certainly keep a eye on her diet and continue to introduce new items.

 

[Just-passn-thru]

@Snowghost , this is truly wonderful news, you can't go wrong with the advice given here on this forum. I would like to reiterate what another very knowledgeable member had advised about. If you're offering nutrition based food, there is no need to supplement with additional vitamins. Sometimes we over compensate, out of love for our companion birds. Overdoing the vitamins can accurately cause more harm than good, causing a toxic overload.

 

[Clueless]

@Snowghost , this is truly wonderful news, you can't go wrong with the advice given here on this forum. I would like to reiterate what another very knowledgeable member had advised about. If you're offering nutrition based food, there is no need to supplement with additional vitamins. Sometimes we over compensate, out of love for our companion birds. Overdoing the vitamins can accurately cause more harm than good, causing a toxic overload.

Yeah, that is scary thought. Humans do it way too often with theirselves.

 

[Snowghost]

Thank you Clueless. This was going to be my next question is how do I know what is enough and what isn't enough? Is there an avian guideline? There is not a whole lot of information online for White Front Amazon's and I wasn't sure if all Amazon's are the same, she is the smallest species of the breed. I'm not taking her to the town vet he wants $900.00 just for blood work to trim her nails.

 

[Clueless]

I rely on my vet. Secret is on medication now because of bad past diet. Sunflower seeds, peanuts, a piece of toast with orange marmalade she shared with her human, and the bad list can go on....

Otherwise I feed pellets (roudybush primarily), senior nutriberries (milk thistle is in there), organic veggies like red bell peppers and chop made from organic veggies. I chose organic for parrots and grandsons because they are smaller than us. I'd rather play a little extra and avoid chemicals for the tiny organs.

I'm not a veterinarian. I chose to go to an avian certified vet because a blood draw can be critical. They have experience and can always network with others.

I take my parrots to annual visits at the vet. They are MUCH calmer at the vet now. Why wouldn't they be? They go in, get wrapped like a burrito and prodded and felt of, then they come home.

 

[Clueless]

And yes, my first visit was expensive but I knew they needed a baseline. I also got DNA test because in future if an egg was bound it might help to know they were female.

Mine were both male. Of course.

 

[MommyBird]

Honestly it would be good to find a vet you will take her to in case of emergency at least. Stuff happens.
That is way too expensive for just blood work. In any case just check these sites to see if there's an avian vet near you.
Association of Avian Veterinarians
Find an Avian Veterinarian – Pet Birds by Lafeber Co.
Find an ABVP Specialist | American Board of Veterinary Practitioners
You can check out this page now, their website is undergoing revamping so it is about 1/3 way down, look under
Feeding Your Bird for Health by Dr McCluggage Complete Articles | WellVet.com & Chaparral Animal Health Center he states
It is clear that the outdated method of feeding birds seed diets, then trying to "balance" the diet by adding vitamins and a calcium supplement should be abandoned
he has a book on Amazon Holistic Care for Birds: David McCluggage, Pamela Leis higdon: 0021898056559: Amazon.com: Books, and there are other nutrition books.

 

[Brittany0208]

I know it can be scary, but it will all be worth it in the long-run. When I finally found a vet that I trusted with Java, I spent over $500 on the first visit because I wanted to be thorough. Dr. Dixon recommended a single-slide X-ray of Java's leg to at least have a baseline (along with blood work and medicine), and that alone made it all worth it because it shows that he was compatible with a prosthetic since there weren't any old breaks. In fact, each time I've taken him to Dr. Dixon, it has cost at least $200 but that's a drop in the bucket when it comes to making him comfortable. He'll probably be on meds his entire life for pain management, and he's only 9-years-old but I trust my vet and I know that my vet is essential for Java's comfort.
Maybe you could have a consultation to see what needs to be done.

 

[Snowghost]

Thank you for everyone's advice. I understand the importance of veterinarian care. I worked for one and I have had birds for over 30 years. Bugsy has made a tremendous improvement with her communication and behavior since I've changed her diet. She is still a little wobbly. Her nails were trimmed last month, however they were long and had reached the vein so I was waiting to go back to have them trimmed again. It is something that I haven't ruled out on why she is not sitting on her tree branch. Bugsy is wild caught, over 25 years old. She completely freaks out just getting her nails clipped. I really don't want to put her through that stress at this time and have her expire in the vets office. Right now I'm pleased that she has showed improvement. This is a great group and I look forward to everyone's posts.

 

[Love My Zons]

Thank you for everyone's advice. I understand the importance of veterinarian care. I worked for one and I have had birds for over 30 years. Bugsy has made a tremendous improvement with her communication and behavior since I've changed her diet. She is still a little wobbly. Her nails were trimmed last month, however they were long and had reached the vein so I was waiting to go back to have them trimmed again. It is something that I haven't ruled out on why she is not sitting on her tree branch. Bugsy is wild caught, over 25 years old. She completely freaks out just getting her nails clipped. I really don't want to put her through that stress at this time and have her expire in the vets office. Right now I'm pleased that she has showed improvement. This is a great group and I look forward to everyone's posts.

Some birds don't wear down their nails due to types of perches. I have never had to trim any of my Amazons nails.

They have different types of perches between natural wood, rope and everyone has a pedicure perch. They absolutely work.

Some perches are smooth in the area for their feet bottoms but allow the nails to rest over the pumice more comfortable then a perch with the rough material around the circumference of the perch.

Glad to hear that things are going well for you guys!

 

[Snowghost]

Yes her energy level is up, squawking and perky, just not steady with the climbing, old age? I bought Manzanita Branches, back in the day they were expensive, her and the Cockatiel I had at the time almost had a coronary when I put them in the cage. I tried everything to acclimate them to the new perches, they are not having it. Please message me in regards to the vitamins that I would like to purchase.

 

[iamwhoiam]

You've received excellent advice and it's great that Bugsy is doing better. She's a beautiful Amazon.
Welcome to AA.

 

[Snowghost]

Thank you for the compliment. Yes she is doing better. I have seen a great improvement. I still don't know why she is not sitting on top of the door or her tree. She flies from cage to T stand, when she lands on the cage she uses her beak to balance herself. Is eating, drinking fine, no loose stools, is preening, seems to enjoy the almonds instead of peanuts and is eating the nutri berries. I am unemployed at the moment so money is a factor. My instincts still tell me that with her extreme fear of hands taking her to vet she will die in his hands and I just can't do that right now. I know many of you disagree, its just a decision I have to accept for right now.

 

[Snowghost]

Update, Bugsy has slid backwards, so we have a vet appointment next week. It's the earliest they can see me. I have been keeping her confined to cage as she seems she can't perch for the last two days. She wobbles on the T stand. After crashing a few times its best to keep her in her cage. Today, Saturday she kept falling. So I took perches out, she insisted on climbing up to her top perch (even though it's not there) So, I put a lower one in. She is stubborn. Fell and feet/legs got caught in bottom wire grill. Took that out, cleaned cage real good, put in paper. She still insisted on sitting on top perch. So put it back in. She is perching fine right now. If she gets worse, will call vet and do an emergency visit. I want to thank the poster that told me about giving them anesthesia prior to blood work. This vet does do that. Wish they were not 2 hours from me. Right now I ask for prayers that we get through this. Thank you all for your support. It is nice to know I have fellow bird owners that understand. She is enjoying her almonds, avi cakes, walnuts, oats and groats and nutri berries. I did all this through tears and on top of starting a new job I have the flu. I will get through this!

 

[MommyBird]

I'm sad to hear Bugsy has had a setback. You are right to take her to a vet even though you are worried about her reaction...sometimes it is the lesser of two evils.
I'll be thinking of you both and hoping she does great and can be easily helped.
Let us know!

 

[Snowghost]

Thank you for your response, I knew someone would reply. I'm sorry to report she is getting worse and just pray she makes it til Monday where I will call and ask for an emergency visit. I am beside myself with guilt and grief. I have had her for 25 years. I tried to take out the perches but she insists on climbing to the top. I have found her on her back 3 times today and she now has diarrhea. She seemed to have been getting better and now this. Thank you for your support.

 

[Clueless]

Oh honey, so sorry. Just logged on.

Can you put towels in bottom of cage to pad it and put a sheet on top so her claws don't get tangled in it?

Keep her warm. That's important. Also make sure she drinks.

With my guys if I offer something by hand, they more easily take or try it.

Is there no Sunday vet open where you are?