First time vet!

[HugotheMac]

So the time has come; I need to go to the vet with my B&G, Hugo. I have noticed some red areas underneath both of his feet, and although I have seen this before, I think it has gotten worse. I have read about something called “bumblefoot” on the internet. However, I am scared to the bones that this will completely destroy the trust that we have built over the past few months.

What can I expect after this? Someone must have been in the same situation that I am in right now.
I am thankful for any advise you can provide.

 

[Mizzely]

Health is always important! And vets help us do that. Mine have always forgiven me pretty quickly

 

[April]

It's definitely a good thing to take him in especially if it is bumblefoot. My Green Cheek had that and it took about 2 months to heal and I had to apply cream to her feet twice a day and she harbored no ill feelings towards me.

 

[Toy]

Explain to him why he's going to the vet. Make it sound exciting. Something like ...lets go for a ride to see the vet. He's going to check your feeties. At the vet keep up the excited this is fun. Then reward him afterwards with his favorite treat. My B&G "JaKhu" screamed bloody murder, but once back in the car she was fine.

As for the red areas....they often come from sitting on the same size & shape perches too long. It'd be like you wearing the same shoes, that are too tight, every day 24/7/365. Pretty soon your feet may hurt & get sore spots or develop thick calluses, which can be sore as well. Bumble foot can also be from an infection or injury, so it's best to have his feet checked.

 

[Macawnutz]

Sometimes you have to be the bad guy to do the right things. He will get over it.

 

[MarkyGee]

One thing I would say is once in the room with the vet, if the vet needs to do something your bird really wouldn’t like, I.e wrap him in a towel so he can be checked etc, then I would leave the room and leave your bird with the vet and only come back into the room once the vet is finished.

this way it would appear like you’ve come back into the room to save him and he will prob love you more for it.

hope that makes sense

Mark

 

[sunnysmom]

Birds are very forgiving. What kind of perches does he have? Dowel perches can cause bumblefoot as they put the same pressure points on a birds feet. So can perches that are too rough or not clean. A variety of perches in different sizes and materials is best.

 

[Rebel]

One thing I would say is once in the room with the vet, if the vet needs to do something your bird really wouldn’t like, I.e wrap him in a towel so he can be checked etc, then I would leave the room and leave your bird with the vet and only come back into the room once the vet is finished.

this way it would appear like you’ve come back into the room to save him and he will prob love you more for it.

hope that makes sense

Mark

The vet I used to go to wont let you in the room during exams etc for that reason. They say its less stressful on the bird if you’re not in there. Youre supposed to be their safe place. However, i dont like not being able to go in with them. The vet i go to now lets you be there. My bird didnt hate me afterwards. That being said, my other birds havent been to this new vet yet. They may sing a different tune.

 

[Rebel]

Birds are very forgiving. What kind of perches does he have? Dowel perches can cause bumblefoot as they put the same pressure points on a birds feet. So can perches that are too rough or not clean. A variety of perches in different sizes and materials is best.

Variety including flat perches. I think theyre the greatest thing.

 

[aooratrix]

I don't like my birds to be out of my sight unless absolutely necessary. I wouldn't leave the room, but I'd let the vet or their tech be the "bad guys." Then, you can be the comforter, the hero. Irritation doesn't always equal true bumblefoot. You may need to readjust perches or buy some new ones. Do you have sandpaper or concrete perches that are in high traffic areas? If so, maybe change one or two out for regular wood perches. The perch diameters could be a factor, too. Your vet can probably advise you. Failing that, I'd contact Sarah at @Macawnutz and Seriouslynutz bird toys for new ones. I buy all of mine from her. They are superb. Keep us posted, please.

 

[HugotheMac]

Birds are very forgiving. What kind of perches does he have? Dowel perches can cause bumblefoot as they put the same pressure points on a birds feet. So can perches that are too rough or not clean. A variety of perches in different sizes and materials is best.

He has all-natural perches in his room. I tried to provide different sizes, and I can see him shifting spots while he's in there, but he has his favorite places as well. When he's out of the cage, he has a play stand with lots of ropes and a ladder where he plays. Otherwise, he usually sits on the sofa with me, watching TV.

 

[HugotheMac]

I don't like my birds to be out of my sight unless absolutely necessary. I wouldn't leave the room, but I'd let the vet or their tech be the "bad guys." Then, you can be the comforter, the hero. Irritation doesn't always equal true bumblefoot. You may need to readjust perches or buy some new ones. Do you have sandpaper or concrete perches that are in high traffic areas? If so, maybe change one or two out for regular wood perches. The perch diameters could be a factor, too. Your vet can probably advise you. Failing that, I'd contact Sarah at @Macawnutz and Seriouslynutz bird toys for new ones. I buy all of mine from her. They are superb. Keep us posted, please.

I don't use sandpaper or concrete perches. Frankly, I didn't even know sandpaper perches were a thing; I suppose they are for the claws. But Hugo has natural perches in his room with different diameters. Then again, he has his favorite places to sit when he's in there.

I don't think it's true bumblefoot as you said, but since it's getting worse and I don't know what discomfort he may be experiencing, it's the right thing to go to the vet. I'll need to see what the vet has to say about it.

 

[HugotheMac]

Explain to him why he's going to the vet. Make it sound exciting. Something like ...lets go for a ride to see the vet. He's going to check your feeties. At the vet keep up the excited this is fun. Then reward him afterwards with his favorite treat. My B&G "JaKhu" screamed bloody murder, but once back in the car she was fine.

As for the red areas....they often come from sitting on the same size & shape perches too long. It'd be like you wearing the same shoes, that are too tight, every day 24/7/365. Pretty soon your feet may hurt & get sore spots or develop thick calluses, which can be sore as well. Bumble foot can also be from an infection or injury, so it's best to have his feet checked.

My mother will bring me a travel cage tomorrow, and I will spend a few days training him to go in it so that at least it won't be traumatic for him. Hopefully, I can get an appointment with the vet this week.

As for sitting in the same spot for too long, I feel he's pretty active in his cage. Of course, he has his favorite spot for relaxing, but when he's not outside with me, he's usually moving around and playing.

 

[HugotheMac]

I don't like my birds to be out of my sight unless absolutely necessary. I wouldn't leave the room, but I'd let the vet or their tech be the "bad guys." Then, you can be the comforter, the hero. Irritation doesn't always equal true bumblefoot. You may need to readjust perches or buy some new ones. Do you have sandpaper or concrete perches that are in high traffic areas? If so, maybe change one or two out for regular wood perches. The perch diameters could be a factor, too. Your vet can probably advise you. Failing that, I'd contact Sarah at @Macawnutz and Seriouslynutz bird toys for new ones. I buy all of mine from her. They are superb. Keep us posted, please.

So, i just wanted to update.
Went to the vet today, getting him into the cage was a challange. I’ve tryed to get him used to the cage before we was suposed to go, but he wasent willing to go near it.
now i sit here in the wating room at the vet and is heartbroken because i can hear him in there, and i feel so so bad for him… we decaded to go with a more thorough checkup since he was so stressed and that way thay give him some kind of gas that will keep him calm.
I hope this does not affect our relationship on the long run and we can keep our friendship..

 

[Clueless]

Sometimes you have to be the bad guy to do the right things. He will get over it.

What Sarah said here.

They have a great capacity for getting over things. Secret actually is nice to me after vet trips. Odd bird I know.

Seriously, if he has a good travel cage start using it for other things. Take him to parents house? Take him to a friend? Make sure they have safe houses though and no perfume things in the room. Take him out in the yard for sun and stay with him out there. Make it a GOOD thing to be in that cage.

And do keep up with visits to the vet. They're the good guys.....

 

[Emma&pico]

Good luck I hope he’s ok

 

[HugotheMac]

What Sarah said here.

They have a great capacity for getting over things. Secret actually is nice to me after vet trips. Odd bird I know.

Seriously, if he has a good travel cage start using it for other things. Take him to parents house? Take him to a friend? Make sure they have safe houses though and no perfume things in the room. Take him out in the yard for sun and stay with him out there. Make it a GOOD thing to be in that cage.

And do keep up with visits to the vet. They're the good guys.....

Good luck I hope he’s ok

We just got home, and everything went well. The vet confirmed that our macaw is a perfectly healthy young bird. He is very hormonal at the moment, but his molting period is over, and he has done very well throughout it. Although he is a bit overweight at 1.5 kg, he is also quite large for his species, so the weight isn't a major concern. We received some advice on feeding schedules and purchased Harrison pellets. Overall, the experience, despite being very stressful, was definitely worth it!

 

[Emma&pico]

We just got home, and everything went well. The vet confirmed that our macaw is a perfectly healthy young bird. He is very hormonal at the moment, but his molting period is over, and he has done very well throughout it. Although he is a bit overweight at 1.5 kg, he is also quite large for his species, so the weight isn't a major concern. We received some advice on feeding schedules and purchased Harrison pellets. Overall, the experience, despite being very stressful, was definitely worth it!

So glad you found it helpful and all gone well how was his feet

 

[HugotheMac]

So glad you found it helpful and all gone well how was his feet

It was no major issue, the vet said that his feets looked pretty normal for a bird in captivity. The foot ring was a bit of a problem, because it can be some what irretating for him. We gonna visit the vet some time after summer to remove it and insert a chip into his chest instead.
The soarness was pretty normal tho but we will replace the perch in his favorite spot into a larger one. That combined with the new diet should be enough she said.
im so thankfull for the vet we got, she was the manager for the exotic department in the animal hospital we were at and was really experianced!

 

[Macawnutz]

It was no major issue, the vet said that his feets looked pretty normal for a bird in captivity. The foot ring was a bit of a problem, because it can be some what irretating for him. We gonna visit the vet some time after summer to remove it and insert a chip into his chest instead.
The soarness was pretty normal tho but we will replace the perch in his favorite spot into a larger one. That combined with the new diet should be enough she said.
im so thankfull for the vet we got, she was the manager for the exotic department in the animal hospital we were at and was really experianced!

A good vet is worth more than their weight in gold! I never have lasting issues with going to vets and I always towel and hold my guys for the vet. Shoot... I even towel and hold my own guys at home to do nails or ... goodness knows what I'm doing sometimes. They will ALWAYS hate THE towel so just pick a color to be the naughty towel for life. LOL