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Getting an Amazon post egg stroke

Krisrath11

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So I'm getting a yellow shouldered Amazon and the person said she's recovering from a n egg stroke... I love taking care of special needs animals and I agreed that she's right up my alley but I've got some questions (yes I'm going to take her to the vet as soon as I pick her up or the next day) I just really want to know what to expect and tips and tricks because we're going to have LOTS of things to overcome. So she hasn't been out of a cage in the 6 years she's been where she is and she was used as a breeder. She will take treats from their hand with the door open so that seems a good start. She is on seeds primary and leafy greens/ pellets some so what my vet says that's the first thing that needs change would be the diet to less seeds and to pellets primarily. Next she's coming in her current recovery cage (small wire dog kennel like I have for my chiweenie) and she's got a sand perch on the floor she's standing on. They said she hasn't fallen off the perch in awhile to their knowledge but she uses her beak to steady herself when she turns around. The stroke was said to have been approximately 4 months ago. Well this is a multi question thing that's both health and taming related. Wanting info on recovery time and suggestions for making her get there as soon as I can, should I start trying to get her to accept being handled while she's in recovery or would it be to much stress or a good time since they said she seems to really want out of her cage, I'm not going to do anything to fast but I do want to get her able to at least get out of the cage and hopefully one day be able to just be completely tame. This will be a whole round of firsts for me as I've not dealt with her condition or anything Amazon before. I want to do the best I can to make her happy and healthy and I'm going to pick my vet the best I can for info but that time will have a limit due to her having other people to see so I really want any advice or things I should ask that I might not be aware of. She will be quarantined beyond any of my birds until she gets the clear from the blood work at which point she will be in the room with my conures (everyone in separate cages of course). Any experience helps as I'm excited to get her but terrified of screwing up something because she deserves to finally have some loving and be the pretty girl she is. Attached the pics I was sent of her in her current setup IMG_20230923_203811.jpg IMG_20230923_203806.jpg IMG_20230923_203755.jpg
 

Elysian

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I have no advice.. but.. I'm excited because my yellow shoulder is the only yellow shoulder I have ever seen. I think only one other person in the avenue had one and it was before my time.
So pretty!!
 
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Krisrath11

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Yes she is! I'm excited to get her but so worried I'll mess her up! She's my first Amazon ever so I'm totally new to these guys so any good advice for an Amazon newbie that I should know?
 

Clueless

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You'll be in love forever..... they're awesome birds!
 

Krisrath11

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You'll be in love forever..... they're awesome birds!
This is what I keep hearing! The rescue has several then she fell right into my lap right after I'd decided that instead of the very beautiful and seemingly very tame red factor sun conure I was originally looking at that one of these Amazons that apparently aren't as easily adoptable one being very old needed a home more than he did because he would be gone in a flash so I come home and was already messaging a lady about a different bird and ended up finding out she had this one that I'm definitely getting. She really needs a new home because the person has health issues and is downsizing her birds that she's been breeding. She's not asking a lot for her which is good because she's going to cost me a fortune at the vet when I get her I'm sure because she definitely needs blood work done. I think it'll be totally worth it just to let my girl out of the cage after being in one for 6 years and maybe her entire life (however old she may be). If we can make it to completely tame I'd be the happiest mama ever and even if we only make it to coming out and going back in I'll still be happy just knowing she got out before the end of her life and had genuine love nothing more. It makes me more excited thinking how she will finally get to see the world without bars.
 

WillowQ

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I hope this works out well for both of you. These seem to be really big personality birds!

One thing that I’m thinking is that she should have a perch to stand on that’s not SAND. I’m worried about her getting or already having sores on her feet from clutching that thing.
 

Zara

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I just really want to know what to expect and tips and tricks because we're going to have LOTS of things to overcome.
Yes it sounds like you will.
The obvious advice is to be patient, though I'm sure you already know that.

I don't know about Amazons, but after reading your plan I will say that you will want to really pad out your room and make it more accessible to her. Have some yoga mats or duvets down under where her cage and stand are just in case she falls. You could also incorporate long ropes from the floor up to the cage, and from the cage to the stand (or other area you think she will perch).
In her cage, maybe include a platform perch for her (though watch out for hormonal behaviours and remove if they arise).

@Fuzzy might be able to add more tips.

a perch to stand on that’s not SAND
Yes, I think switching out that sandy perch for a wooden one is a good idea. Keep the dog crate for vet trips, seems a nice size so no point getting rid (unless you already have a travel cage).

Wishing you all the best luck! Please do keep us updated on your journey together. Poor girl is gonna finally be able to stretch those wings! :)
 

Krisrath11

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I hope this works out well for both of you. These seem to be really big personality birds!

One thing that I’m thinking is that she should have a perch to stand on that’s not SAND. I’m worried about her getting or already having sores on her feet from clutching that thing.
I was thinking the EXACT same thing about the perch! She'll be getting a new one as soon as I get her. My vet usually has tons of the bigger ones she'll need because they are a rescue as well and I can get it cheaper too. I thought about doing 2 in there 1 rope and 1 regular and maybe the sand one as well. I have a longer cage if she still needs to be in a small one if not I think I'm going to keep upgrading the cage as she gains her strength back until she's ready for the appropriate size and they sell tons of cages so we can just make appointments to get her new cages.
 

Krisrath11

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Yes it sounds like you will.
The obvious advice is to be patient, though I'm sure you already know that.

I don't know about Amazons, but after reading your plan I will say that you will want to really pad out your room and make it more accessible to her. Have some yoga mats or duvets down under where her cage and stand are just in case she falls. You could also incorporate long ropes from the floor up to the cage, and from the cage to the stand (or other area you think she will perch).
In her cage, maybe include a platform perch for her (though watch out for hormonal behaviours and remove if they arise).

@Fuzzy might be able to add more tips.


Yes, I think switching out that sandy perch for a wooden one is a good idea. Keep the dog crate for vet trips, seems a nice size so no point getting rid (unless you already have a travel cage).

Wishing you all the best luck! Please do keep us updated on your journey together. Poor girl is gonna finally be able to stretch those wings! :)
I'm so excited to see her and start getting her ready to be a pet! It's going to be amazing! They said she's not a biter from when they've had her so I think it should progress very well ! I'm more worried about her doing what voodoo did because his cage was smaller than I like when I got him vet said it would work but when I wanted upgrade so I was waiting and the new cage took his aggression away at bedtime trying to cage. We still use the stick but don't have to hold over the top to keep him on and get bit in the process. She's a big girl and those big beaks sure do hurt haha
 

MommyBird

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A platform perch would be a nice addition.
Yes, Amazons really great, they are definitely my favorite of all the birds I've had. Can't be beat for showing you body language too!
 
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Krisrath11

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A platform perch would be a nice addition.
Yes, Amazons really a great, they are definietly my favorite of all the birds I've had. Can't be beat for showing you body language too!
I thought about the platform but didn't know if it would be good or bad because my understanding they really need to grip but in her state I'm not sure. I might just see what all they have and give her as many options as possible without cluttering the cage to much. I actually asked to see the rest of the birds she's rehoming because if I'm gathering correct they are probably not in the best health, none tame and they really need an actual home before they go to another breeder. She was a breeder and was separated after the stroke. That worries me too cause she's likely been with her mate for the entire 6 years and I don't want to breed but from my experience the lack of their bonded mate can kill them as well. I'm sure she wants breeder price for him but I might ask about him and put them aside by side if I'm able. I know I've had to separate a bonded pair before because she plucked him but they were a goffins and a nanday and they were fine once I got them but their cages were next to each other and they saw each other all the time because they were ALWAYS out. That was so long ago I wonder to this day how I kept my birds when I was younger because they were literally always out and never got hurt or anything they just did what they wanted when I left they would usually get put away but I rarely ever had any cage closed and had cats dogs ECT that never for some reason tried to get them. I wish I really remembered now because now I'm terrified of the things that could happen and I'm super careful which makes it seem like they're not getting as much attention or freedom but I can't say for a second they're not living the good life here either haha.
 

Elysian

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I'll be watching curiously to see how her personality develops!
I never had Amazon experience before adopting my yellow shoulder either. I was expecting a loud clowny kind of bird and she is definitely NOT that. She is quiet and watchful, but not playful.
I don't know how much of that is her specific personality and how much is common to yellow shoulder temperament.

Unfortunately she doesn't like me too much.. she takes treats from me and I can move her around with target training, but I can't touch her and have to be careful how I move around her so I don't trigger an 'attack' (which usually just ends after one quick bite but I don't want to push it).
She loves my husband though and when she gets to be with him she is very sweet. The gentlest bird.

In case yours is similar..
She came with a swing they said was one of her favorite toys, but in the two years she has been here she has never stepped foot on that or any swing. She doesn't like to climb rope nets either. She wants everything to be very sturdy under her or she will not use it.
She will chew balsa wood sometimes but not anything harder. She doesn't seem interested in foot toys. Her main driver is nuts, so foraging toys have been the biggest engagement factor I could find.
She really loves to watch TV more than anything.
 
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Elysian

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Oh, one thing that might surprise you if you've never had an amazon is the smell!

My budgies, Hahns, and senegal all just smell like.. bird. A nice mild grainy kind of smell but you'd have to stick your nose in their feathers to even smell it.

Opie *emits* smell. Musky or flowery.

Apparently musky when she likes you (that's the smell my husband describes, and he dislikes it lol) and kinda flowery if she doesn't? (That's the smell I get, and ironically think it's pleasant).
 

Fuzzy

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Congrats on giving this beautiful bird a better home.

I too have a disabled Panama Amazon who was kept in a tiny cage for most of his 59 years. He’s also had a stroke about 4 years ago. For him it affected his neck which was very much on one side - in this year it’s much straighter (I got him to exercise it a bit everyday). He has bad arthritis which means he can’t lock his feet to perch, but he also can’t open them to walk on flat surfaces. When he arrived he was the most aggressive bird I’ve ever seen. He's calmed a lot now with training/desensitisation and I can carefully skritch his head (that took about 6 months).

Chico seems much happier inside his cage. I think, being pretty much blind now, he feels safer knowing his environment. I bought a large cage for him (40” x 36” inside measurements) and adapted it which you could so easily do, like this:

 

Pixiebeak

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I'm not familiar with the term egg stroke?
Is it low calcium? Reduced blood supply from previously being egg bound?

I'm so glad you will be working with a veterinarian. And improving this lady birds life!

Congratulations! :xflove:
 

Krisrath11

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Oh, one thing that might surprise you if you've never had an amazon is the smell!

My budgies, Hahns, and senegal all just smell like.. bird. A nice mild grainy kind of smell but you'd have to stick your nose in their feathers to even smell it.

Opie *emits* smell. Musky or flowery.

Apparently musky when she likes you (that's the smell my husband describes, and he dislikes it lol) and kinda flowery if she doesn't? (That's the smell I get, and ironically think it's pleasant).
Really? Haha so I get musky and a friend or flowers and a foe lol
 

Krisrath11

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I'll be watching curiously to see how her personality develops!
I never had Amazon experience before adopting my yellow shoulder either. I was expecting a loud clowny kind of bird and she is definitely NOT that. She is quiet and watchful, but not playful.
I don't know how much of that is her specific personality and how much is common to yellow shoulder temperament.

Unfortunately she doesn't like me too much.. she takes treats from me and I can move her around with target training, but I can't touch her and have to be careful how I move around her so I don't trigger an 'attack' (which usually just ends after one quick bite but I don't want to push it).
She loves my husband though and when she gets to be with him she is very sweet. The gentlest bird.

In case yours is similar..
She came with a swing they said was one of her favorite toys, but in the two years she has been here she has never stepped foot on that or any swing. She doesn't like to climb rope nets either. She wants everything to be very sturdy under her or she will not use it.
She will chew balsa wood sometimes but not anything harder. She doesn't seem interested in foot toys. Her main driver is nuts, so foraging toys have been the biggest engagement factor I could find.
She really loves to watch TV more than anything.
I doubt really that she's ever actually had real toys unfortunately. They said she likes walnuts I'm going to buy her a variety of toys if she doesn't want them I've got others who really might like them. Might be yours was bored there but I engage with her so she doesn't use it. I am going to buy one of those rope things they have and try her with it when she's better because it's larger than I'd like but my little nugget would love it if she doesn't haha. Gives me an excuse to buy it cause it's not cheap. Everyone really seems to just love the Amazons it gives me lots of hope!!
 

Krisrath11

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Congrats on giving this beautiful bird a better home.

I too have a disabled Panama Amazon who was kept in a tiny cage for most of his 59 years. He’s also had a stroke about 4 years ago. For him it affected his neck which was very much on one side - in this year it’s much straighter (I got him to exercise it a bit everyday). He has bad arthritis which means he can’t lock his feet to perch, but he also can’t open them to walk on flat surfaces. When he arrived he was the most aggressive bird I’ve ever seen. He's calmed a lot now with training/desensitisation and I can carefully skritch his head (that took about 6 months).

Chico seems much happier inside his cage. I think, being pretty much blind now, he feels safer knowing his environment. I bought a large cage for him (40” x 36” inside measurements) and adapted it which you could so easily do, like this:

Awe he's lucky to have u! I'm kinda afraid she won't fully recover which doesn't matter except for her happiness. I can adjust anything for a special needs animal I have been doing it for years birds with special needs seem harder but then again people think my others seem hard so I guess we'll figure it out. It gives me hope knowing she can live a good life still. So does yours fall? I'm worried about her hurting herself but I can't keep her in a tiny cage forever it blwould kill me! I'm really hoping she takes to me and gets tame so I can just take her around with me. Do they make some special people perch in case she can't stay up like maybe a harness I can hook up to her and me I wonder . Wh we have a long way to go before that she's going to end up being just my sidekick if she likes me especially if she keeps having trouble. She is big enough that she can come with me all around the house really as long as she stays with me and I'm going to try to build a perch or find one with a bottom platform in case she doesn't get all the way back so if she did fall it would only be a few inches and she'd have small walls to keep her in. Can't tell I have ADHD and insomnia I've known about her less than a day and we have plans!
 

Krisrath11

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I'm not familiar with the term egg stroke?
Is it low calcium? Reduced blood supply from previously being egg bound?

I'm so glad you will be working with a veterinarian. And improving this lady birds life!

Congratulations! :xflove:
I can't say I'm completely positive myself. I also can't say for certain that it's a real thing as Google doesn't really seem to know and u know some things/ are not that reliable I mean honestly I've had birds before and kinda somehow made good by them and happened to feed them the right food because I read it somewhere because thankfully Internet was actually available and had just become affordable on a phone so I did good. They said they'd owned / breeding 40 years now and r still doing seed diet with veggies and occasionally pellets which what vet said isn't good with all the seeds. I think it's just old school ways more than lack of care if I had to make an assumption but I still haven't met them or the bird yet so it's still to be determined. I did tell them about the pellets and what vet told me about seeds and that they could get the 40 lb bags of zupreem way cheaper and they were very receptive that's y I think it's just lack of knowledge and maybe it'll improve the birds they keep quality of life if I let them know. I'm going to try and look at the others that need homes and might pick another one out that's a similar size so she can have a friend if they'll give me a week or 2 with her to be sure I have the time and ability to care for them both. I only have smaller birds and it scares me a lot because an Amazon could easily kill a conure with 1 bite. Just winging it and seeing how it goes. My assumption on the stroke from reading was to many things is it's probably she was egg bound to long and it cut off the blood supply and almost killed her. I am going to ask where or if they took her to a vet and maybe I can call them for a real explanation if they took her.
 

Emma&pico

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Wishing you and this beautiful girl all the luck in the world :heart:
 
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