Bloodwork for a healthy bird

[M&M Ninja]

Fingers crossed, we may have just found an avian vet. I have an appointment with her on Thursday to look at my conure's feet. If they are knowledgeable and have experience, I might consider getting baseline bloodwork done.

I'd love to hear from others...Did you do this? Get bloodwork for a healthy bird? (Present foot issue aside. I'm also thinking about my Amazon.)

Is it worth it? Did you learn anything? Or is it just for peace of mind that all is good?

 

[Macawnutz]

Peace of mind and a baseline for future issues.

I always get bloodwork on first visits.

 

[Mizzely]

Knowing your bird's healthy baseline gives the vet something to compare to later if there is a problem. While there are generally "normal" ranges for them to use, each bird is unique, and knowing what their normal is helps get answers faster later if something comes up.

 

[Linwood]

I got bloodwork (and at the same time a DNA sexing) on my first vet visit, but it was also while in a warranty period for the purchase and bloodwork is the best way to find early serious issues. Birds are good at hiding illness (as prey animals they have to be).

The more interesting question for me (as I'm about at a year and going to return for a checkup) is whether it's worth it for subsequent visits absent some indication of a problem. My plan at present is "no". The blood draw itself was a bit traumatic, but the bandage they wrapped the leg with was a major issue -- she panicked and just went nuts trying to remove it (but was only able to tear pieces loose), then it got worse when we tried to help. So I think future blood draws will need some symptom of a problem (or at least more years to pass).

But first time I still think it was worth doing. And if you don't know the sex it comes "free" with the other blood work (Not talking money -- it's expensive if I recall -- but I mean they can use the same blood so no additional fighting).

 

[MommyBird]

I do get them for baseline and every few years to update as I have all senoirs.
They have never applied a bandage after taking blood at any of 3 avian vets I've been to over many years.

 

[Linwood]

They have never applied a bandage after taking blood at any of 3 avian vets I've been to over many years.

They put on that vet wrap stretchy stuff. I wondered after if just a finger dab of kwikstop would have been fine. She completely freaked out with that wrap. Or maybe her squirming had made the puncture more bloody than needed, she was not a good patient -- not biting so much as just extreme "I want out of your hands".

This discussion just reminded me to make an appointment, and made one without bloodwork (which they wanted, but they also recommended 6 month checkups also, I think over-done).

 

[M&M Ninja]

I do get them for baseline and every few years to update as I have all senoirs.
They have never applied a bandage after taking blood at any of 3 avian vets I've been to over many years.

Has your followup bloodwork ever shown anything concerning/interesting or have they been stable from check-up to check-up?

 

[MommyBird]

The real thing that we mostly watch for is kidney function as they are on meds that can affect that.
But there have been some changes not related to kidneys.

 

[~Drini~]

I have bloodwork done on all my birds every year. The goal is that we won't find anything interesting, and thankfully we never have. They are stable check-up to check-up, and that makes me happy.

In our household we do annual bloodwork on the humans too, but I find it especially important for the birds (who can't communicate when they're not feeling well and often don't show signs of illness).

I've never seen a bandage applied after bloodwork.