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Attention To New Bird Owners - Semi Rant

fashionfobie

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Vet care is critical. We are responsible for the creatures we tamed. Avian care can get expensive fast, especially in an emergency. I find comfort knowing I have a savings ready, an account just for my birds.

For new bird owners, start setting aside money regularly. Honour it, and keep it just for you bird. Even only 10$ a week turns into $520 annually. If you have more birds you will need to set more aside, but you get the idea. I have 11 birds. I set 150-200$ aside weekly.
 

Matto

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This ignores the harsh reality that avian vets are a dying breed. In my area, one of the only avian specialists abpruptly retired, and the one 45 minutes away is retiring in a year. There are a few vets closer who see birds but I don't trust them at all. Luckily I live near a couple busy areas so there are a few an hour or so away. But I am afraid that in 20 years or so there may be none left.
 

RainbowFlo

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I'm in the final stages of the preparation. I think this thread is so important- I wanted to get a bird years ago but I knew I could only afford the bird, not vet care :(. It was hard but I would rather not have a bird than have a bird that is suffering because I can't afford/find vet care. Luckily, my situation changed for the better and I'm more than ready to do this now :) but I definitely don't regret my decision to wait. Most people assume they'll never need a vet because they'll be super careful but it's almost impossible. I think the problem is usually (not always) with young children/teenagers- some are very lucky to have supportive parents who don't mind to pay but most don't
:( When my niece wanted a bird, I knew her family wasn't prepared in terms of long-term expenses so I discouraged it. A few years down the line, her family's situation improved,she's older and her family has a very friendly/family-oriented ( and acrobatic :roflmao: !) caique (named Lucky :clover:) and they never hesitate to spend what they need to spend on her, including vet care. Sometimes it's just waiting until you can afford everything and excess- no sooner! If that means waiting for a few years, so be it- you'll have a happier and healthier bird!

Sorry for the rant :lol:
 

taxidermynerd

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When I got my first bird, Chirp, I was 14. I made him a vet appointment the day i got him. Throughout his life he was pretty healthy, minus a few ER runs. Then at the end of his life, I was suddenly having to medicate him twice daily, with vet visits every two weeks. We spent over 2,500 dollars just in vet care over the last 7 months of his life.

Nothing upsets me more than when someone has the means, has access to a vet, is able to afford it, but chooses to let their bird suffer because "it's just a 20$ budgie" or whatever.
 

Skyandkiwi

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When I got my first bird, Chirp, I was 14. I made him a vet appointment the day i got him. Throughout his life he was pretty healthy, minus a few ER runs. Then at the end of his life, I was suddenly having to medicate him twice daily, with vet visits every two weeks. We spent over 2,500 dollars just in vet care over the last 7 months of his life.

Nothing upsets me more than when someone has the means, has access to a vet, is able to afford it, but chooses to let their bird suffer because "it's just a 20$ budgie" or whatever.
I agree! It’s very upsetting! I can’t belive people would rather see their loved one suffer, rather than drive for a couple hours or pay for vet bills.
 

Ali

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I 100% agree with all that has been said so far. However...

In regards to these people...
Nothing upsets me more than when someone has the means, has access to a vet, is able to afford it, but chooses to let their bird suffer because "it's just a 20$ budgie" or whatever.
...I think that no threads or opinions will have any effect on them. This is because they are selfish. A selfish person wouldn't admit to being wrong. I'm going to keep this brief and stop it there.

Also, I find it particularly upsetting in situations where our under 18 members are trying to convince parents/guardians to let them take to the vet, offering even to spend their own money, but their parents say exactly as above, just a this, just a that, not worth more than a tenner.

Well to these people. Your just a person. There are billions of us. Why should we save you if you wouldn't save the life of a pet?

Sorry for being blunt here
 
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Nancy B

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I'm considering getting pet insurance for my bird...does anyone have that? Like health insurance for pets?
 

Ali

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I'm considering getting pet insurance for my bird...does anyone have that? Like health insurance for pets?
@taxidermynerd , don't you have insurance for Jade? I keep thinking about it but I am still unsure.

There are a few threads on it too, just search insurance or pet insurance in the search box
 

Nancy B

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@taxidermynerd , don't you have insurance for Jade? I keep thinking about it but I am still unsure.

There are a few threads on it too, just search insurance or pet insurance in the search box
Oooh thanks! Its just one of those things I think of now and then but don't ever really take it further than that since Fred's healthy and have had no emergency so far. But really been wondering about it...thanks!!
 

Ali

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Oooh thanks! Its just one of those things I think of now and then but don't ever really take it further than that since Fred's healthy and have had no emergency so far. But really been wondering about it...thanks!!
Here we have some good insurers. The best policies cover about £2500, which is a good lump of treatment if not an entire emergency
 

Ulis_Beast

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In a rather utopian world, there would be classes on ethics.. A big proportion would include
The five animal freedoms.
With each passing generation the lives of who knows how many pets/animals/people would be better.

I don't have an avian vet in a 500 miles radius. Sadly. But my budgie Pika (RIP) was still rushed to the emergency vet.
Loki still got microchipped. Was rushed to the ER for a chipped beak. Still did a blood panel twice in half a year. Just in case.
I am currently actively searching for a new job in my homeland, so I can move closer to my chosen vet (as I cannot cross the border with Loki due to COVID).

It is my conviction that anyone who doesn't help (seek professional medical help) for an animal in distress needs psychological help.
 

Lady Jane

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There is ALWAYS a way to get a living creature taken care of. Yes it may mean driving further than you'd like. It might mean taking a carrier on public transport. It could mean changing your schedule or paying out money you were saving to buy a new sofa. If you don't have the funds, it could even mean giving up your pet to someone who can afford it.
Exactly.
 

Lady Jane

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In a rather utopian world, there would be classes on ethics.. A big proportion would include
The five animal freedoms.
With each passing generation the lives of who knows how many pets/animals/people would be better.

I don't have an avian vet in a 500 miles radius. Sadly. But my budgie Pika (RIP) was still rushed to the emergency vet.
Loki still got microchipped. Was rushed to the ER for a chipped beak. Still did a blood panel twice in half a year. Just in case.
I am currently actively searching for a new job in my homeland, so I can move closer to my chosen vet (as I cannot cross the border with Loki due to COVID).

It is my conviction that anyone who doesn't help (seek professional medical help) for an animal in distress needs psychological help.
Thank you for this input and your caring so much for the welfare of your birds.
 

Lady Jane

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Perhaps in the future of AA when we have a person come to us for information on having a bird in their life we can educate them on the importantce of pre planning for your birds health care. Thanks to everyone for posting your opinions here on this subject.
 

fashionfobie

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I'm considering getting pet insurance for my bird...does anyone have that? Like health insurance for pets?
I looked into it before. You need to read the terms very carefully. There were two problems I saw. 1. Birds emergency fees always seem excluded. 2. Even for dogs, the amount you pay annually hardly pays for what they cover.

At the end of the day I found it is better for me to just set aside my own money. I have been very diligent about it and now have a nice amount. I don't even need to blink and can take them in asap.

If it helps open a savings just for them. :)
 

finchly

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I 100% agree with all that has been said so far. However...

In regards to these people...

...I think that no threads or opinions will have any effect on them. This is because they are selfish. A selfish person wouldn't admit to being wrong. I'm going to keep this brief and stop it there.
They’re narcissistic.
Also, I find it particularly upsetting in situations where our under 18 members are trying to convince parents/guardians to let them take to the vet, offering even to spend their own money, but their parents say exactly as above, just a this, just a that, not worth more than a tenner.

Well to these people. Your just a person. There are billions of us. Why should we save you if you wouldn't save the life of a pet?

Sorry for being blunt here
Well said!
 

taxidermynerd

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I looked into it before. You need to read the terms very carefully. There were two problems I saw. 1. Birds emergency fees always seem excluded. 2. Even for dogs, the amount you pay annually hardly pays for what they cover.

At the end of the day I found it is better for me to just set aside my own money. I have been very diligent about it and now have a nice amount. I don't even need to blink and can take them in asap.

If it helps open a savings just for them. :)
The plans we have for both Jade and Roxie cover 90% of everything.

For Roxie we have to pay 250$ of the vet bills a year, and they get 90% of the rest. They even cover her nail trims and preventative chewables.

I'll have to check on what we pay per year for Jade, but i know it's less than what we pay for Roxie's.
 

webchirp

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I can't imagine now having a bird and not vetting. But I will say that I learned as I went after purchasing Chya 17 years ago. It's all about learning. How can we, other than responding here, teach people about proper vet care. And I consider Dr. O a good friend after all these years. They always seem so happy to see me and before the virus, I always got hugs. Hubby says it's because I'm their best customer...because he is a turd and tries to pop my happy bubble.
 

fashionfobie

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The plans we have for both Jade and Roxie cover 90% of everything.

For Roxie we have to pay 250$ of the vet bills a year, and they get 90% of the rest. They even cover her nail trims and preventative chewables.

I'll have to check on what we pay per year for Jade, but i know it's less than what we pay for Roxie's.
That is great ! I am sure there are more options in the US.
 
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