Bird Keeping

Yet another bird update...

H came home and we called our avian vet . Yes, it's true bird vets are less common and very specialized. Our doc was in surgery but

felt because it was an emergency he'd take a break from surgery to assess the parrotlet. We brought him in and while waiting for the vet to a chance to take a break from surgery the assistant suggested us going to grab a bite to eat while we waited. H got me some tea at the local Starburnts. Since food isn't sitting too well in my tummy right, now. icky cold sickness crud thing I have...

We headed back and learned the parrotlet is very sick and about 25% underweight. We were told that it was unlikely he'd survive another day this underweight and dehydrated. They gave him some fluids and an antibiotic shot. He's too underweight to do any blood work so much so that a blood draw would probably kill him. They're going to culture his stools and check for other things. In order to survive he needs to be under a heat lamp, tube-fed and hydrated -- essentially bird intensive care.

Having had to do this for BeBe last year, we were concerned about the costs. And yes, it will be costly $250-300+ for multiple

days of bird ICU. While trying to decide what to do, we called N and she offered help and reassurance. Thank you N so much. And with her help, we'll work something out and give this little guy a chance.

From his breeder tag, we learned he was born/hatched in 2005 in Florida and that he's small framed or a smaller parrotlet. He's smaller even than our budgie, BeBe.

We're also in discussion about the little guy's future should he survive the next couple days which are critical of course. The vet assistant asked if we wanted them to give our number to anyone who said they'd lost their bird that matched in description or if we wanted to be called and given the previous family's contact info. I opted the for the latter. She seemed to light up and added it'd be good to check if they were deserving/worthy of be given their bird back. I said something like exactly! Accidents do happen so do other things. Every where you go there are good people and not-so-good so it would hard to tell without checking thoroughly.

We can check if someone lists their bird missing through [shelters, pet finder, and avian vet listing] but I don't feel like "looking" for the owners by running my own ad. ... Maybe I'm projecting but given that he didn't lose all that weight overnight and I don't think his toe turned black in 24 hours [another injury or infection] I don't feel particularly inclined to put any ads or flyers out. I know I shouldn't think ill of anyone they could be worried sick, but if so where are their flyers, ads, and listings with the avian vets?

He's in good hands at our bird doc but please keep your fingers crossed that the little guy makes it. If he survives, I think we should keep him. Is anyone surprised?

People so rarely seem to teach themselves about what birds really need to be happy and healthy.

Examples: my favorite bird publication which I really need to get a subscription to and stop buying individual issues.

My favorite parrot organization The Gabriel Foundation, "A parrot welfare organization provides for the complete physical, psychological and environmental well being of the parrots in the organization’s care. Through the education of the public, proper legal documentation, extensive support services, and constant follow-up procedures, a parrot welfare organization insures that whether the parrots remain in a sanctuary, in rehabilitation, or are placed into adoptive or foster homes, that the parrots are continually nurtured. The parrot welfare organization also provides for the general welfare of parrots in the public domain by providing accurate, comprehensive and reliable educational materials and resources to the public.

About Us: With the proliferation of psittacine birds into the pet marketplace, the issue of unwanted birds is rapidly growing. This is no longer one person’s problem or even one industry’s problem. It speaks to the entire issue of being responsible for anyone and anything in your life for which you have chosen stewardship. All living creatures deserve respect and kindness. Societies value birds for economic, cultural, ethical and spiritual reasons. The avicultural and pet industries must heighten public consciousness that animals are not creatures put on this earth for man to dominate, or “own,” but rather they are “other nations” with which to co-exist. The disposable mentality or throwaway cultural attitude prevalent in our society does not speak well for the lives of animals often viewed as commodities that are greatly affected by this trend."

A few of my favorite parrot books:

The Companion Parrot Handbook by Sally Blanchard
*Great illustrations, extremely thorough, positive training focus, and extremely helpful. A necessity!!!! Definite must for those thinking about getting a parrot of any variety, for anyone interested in pet sitting a parrot and for all of us who are caregivers for their feathered family. Information applies to a variety of birds and extremely useful whether your bird is a baby, rescued from a bad situation or adopted out of a loving home to a second home. I cannot recommend this book enough!

The Beak Book by Sally Blanchard
Excellent examples, practical tips, inspirational, informative & positive focused dealing with behaviors people may commonly think of as "problem" behaviors. Highly recommend.

Parrot-Toys & Play Areas by Carol S. D'Arezzo & Laruen Shannon-Nunn
Excellent ideas! Helps to understand play behavior and build fun toys or add to existing ones to increase fun & play factor! Has made a huge difference in our bird's actually playing with toys! Many of the ideas are very simple, inexpensive, and terribly useful!

And lastly, N just called to thank us. She's so sweet. She's the one who deserves the thanks. Thanks for saving the little guy last night and thanks for helping us with what will be a very costly vet bill. And who could say no to him. He's so cute you could just melt.

Our Winged Friends