Pets Information

Vet Check - Well-Bird Check Up


I know there are differing opinions on the subject of well-bird check ups. Some people believe in having your apparently healthy parrot checked out once a year by a qualified avian vet, while others claim that taking a health bird into a vet office exposes them to "germies" they might not otherwise be exposed to. I am not going to lecture you on either. That is your choice. I am lucky enough to have a mobile avian vet that visits my house and I do have my parrots checked out once a year. But, you do what you think is right.

If you do take your bird in for a well bird check-up, here are some things that should be included:

Visual check: Looking at the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, etc. and making sure things appear as they should.

The touchy feely test: Feeling the bird to see if there are any lumps or other abnormalities the vet can feel.

Weight: Weight should be taken, in grams, every time.

Grooming: Wing and Nail trims, if needed.

Gram stain: The poop test - to make sure there are no bad things in the poopie.

Blood Work: Maybe. Possibly a chlamydia blood test and a complete blood panel. You don't have to have these done every time. Ask your vet their opinion. Sometimes the vet may recommend more specific tests. And, just for the record, the bird does not have to be given anesthesia or "put under" to take a simple blood sample.

Ask Questions: Be sure to discuss any changes in behavior, health or diet related issues.

If your bird is not acting right, is tired a lot, lethargic, isn't eating like normal, has a nasal or eye discharge, or just sits there all "poofed" out, you need to get to an avian vet as fast as you can. I mean today - not tomorrow. Better to be safe than sorry. So, repeat after me, "If my bird looks or acts sick, I will RUN not walk to my avian veterinarian." Birds generally do not look or act sick until they are REALLY sick. They can take a turn for the worst very quickly.

Finding a vet
If you do not already have an avian vet, look in your local phone directory. Give them a call and see how many birds they treat. I know of several that advertise that they treat birds but only see a few per year.

You can also use these site to find an avian vet in your area.

The Association of Avian Veterinarians - Searchable http://www.aav.org/vet-lookup/

The Association of Avian Veterinarians - more complete listing http://www.aav.org/activemembers.html

or

The directory at Birds n Ways American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Certified in Avian Practice: http://www.birdsnways.com/articles/abvpvets.htm

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Taylor Knight is President of Your Parrot Place, providers of the highest quality parrot food, toys, cages and supplies available. YourParrotPlace.com - Only the Best for Your Parrot!

Free Parrot eBook
140 pages of parrot tips, information, nutrition advice, safety and more! http://www.yourparrotplace.com/ebooks/ypp2004ebook.htm


MORE RESOURCES:

YNN, Your News Now

February Marks Pet Dental Health Month
KTUL (blog)
According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, an estimated 80 percent of people brush their teeth every day, but far fewer pet owners do the same for their pets. Pet Dental Health Month, celebrated every February, teaches pet owners proper ...
February is National Pet Dental Health MonthMarketWatch (press release)
Time to Brush Up! Petplan Pet Insurance Provides Toothy Tips Just in Time for ...San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Pets Need Dental Care TooEast Peoria Times-Courier (blog)
Wall Street Journal -Cosmetic Dentistry Guide (press release)
all 45 news articles »


Fracking's Toll on Pets, Livestock Chills Farmers: Commentary
San Francisco Chronicle
A new study by veterinarian Michelle Bamberger and Robert Oswald, a professor of veterinary medicine at Cornell University, chronicles case studies of dozens of farmers and pet owners in six states over the Marcellus Shale. Their findings, published in ...

and more »


Proposed Bill Protects Pets of Domestic Abuse Victims
Patch.com
Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, who's district also falls partly into Clearwater, extends legal protection to pets of an abuse victim and makes beating or abusing the victim's pet grounds for violating a court-ordered domestic violence injunction.

and more »


MyFox Detroit

Michigan Humane Society Pets for Patriots Program
MyFox Detroit
The Michigan Humane Society (MHS), is teaming up with Pets for Patriots to give back to the men and women in uniform who inspire us all. The partnership will give active duty personnel and military veterans the opportunity to save even more lives by ...
Pets eat the weirdest things; pet proof your homeDaily Camera
Bad pet owners might be causing fee hikes for everyone elseKFOX El Paso
Meridian Valley Humane Society joins forces with Pets for PatriotsKIVI-TV
13abc Action News -Western Front
all 5 news articles »


MassLive.com

Northampton pet hoarder who surrendered 20 Irish Setters had past troubles
MassLive.com
15 Rescued Irish Setters Brought to Springfield gallery (6 photos) NORTHAMPTON – A Nonotuck Street woman who had some 30 pets removed from her home on Friday has been in trouble for pet hoarding in the past. Carol Soltys, 59, had more than 100 animals ...
City woman gives up 30 dogs, catsGazetteNET

all 2 news articles »


VetPracticeNews.com

Pet Obesity Rate Rises
VetPracticeNews.com
The percentage of pet cats and dogs classified as overweight remained relatively constant over the past year, but the rate of obesity increased, especially among cats, according to the fifth annual veterinary survey conducted by the Association for Pet ...
Pet Owners May Be In Denial But Study Says Rover Isn't Big-Boned, He's FatThe Consumerist
Alison Sweeney Backs 'Million Pound Pledge' for PetsZootoo.com
Pampered Pet Business Booms in USVoice of America
First Coast News -KPHO Phoenix -MarketWatch (press release)
all 28 news articles »


Rats! Maligned rodent can make a great pet
New Zealand Herald
A pet rat named Odds and Ends. Photo / Supplied, AP "When my husband told his ex that we got rats, she said, 'On purpose?'" says Tami Kaplan, proud owner of three of the rodents. Look past your preconceptions and you might fall in love, ...

and more »


Pet oxygen masks can save animals' lives in fires
San Jose Mercury News
23, 2007 file photo, Nancee Schaffner of the Rutland Area Disaster Animal Response Team demonstrates an oxygen mask for pets on Maple, a sheperd mix dog, at the fire station in Clarendon, Vt. While pet oxygen masks have been used for decades by ...

and more »


Meet Your Match boosts puppy love (and kitty love) by matching people and pets ...
Washington Post
The color-coded program evaluates shelter pets and the people looking to adopt them in an effort to match personalities, energy levels and needs. Playing Cupid with Meet Your Match helped workers at the Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to ...

and more »


Monsters and Critics.com

Pet Photo Friday is almost here - submit your photos now!
AnnArbor.com
Knowing that there are many fun-loving pets that live in and around our area, we're anxious to see what you've been up to. Why not submit a favorite photo of your pet? What fun activities did your pets get to enjoy this week — a hike, perhaps, ...
Animal Planet Favorite Pet Competition launchesMonsters and Critics.com
Delta Society® Is Now Pet Partners®EON: Enhanced Online News (press release)
Delta Society(R) Is Now Pet Partners(R)MarketWatch (press release)
The Augusta Chronicle
all 7 news articles »

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