Gigi's vet visit

NicoleN

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Gigi's first vet visit was yesterday. Pretty exciting too :D

First off, wow...poor vet had such bloody hands by the end. Made me think of Minzer with Iggy. However, he did get her to perch on his hand, and she even stepped up when he said to step up. He was really good with her, and it turns out that he knows Sisqo's vet too. Although he did have horribly bloody hands and it made me think of Minzer

In the end, she's overweight (which I figured anyway). But he said that wasn't uncommon because most Amazons are.

He said we're right to think that a bird is the one that did that to her beak, and he said it actually looks like it was a Macaw that had done it to her. The bad news is that the chances of her beak growing back are slim to none. Apparently the germ layer (not the 'technical' name for it, but I'm not a vet) is pretty much gone, and that is what helps for it to grow back. She has an appointment next week though to get it more thoroughly looked at (x-rays, anesthesia, etc.) so we can see if there is any damage beyond the beak, and to get a feel for what is really going on in the beak. He's also going to do a bacteria culture on it. Then we're going to figure out what can be done about it. He even mentioned making an artificial beak for her that may have to be replaced from time to time.

He didn't do any blood work or DNA testing because she'll be under anesthesia next week, so it can be done then.

Some more positives are that he said she has beautiful feathering, no signs of liver disease, and he gave me some more tips on getting her to accept being toweled.

Also, I promise promise promise that I will post pics as soon as I can. I just need to get ahold of my boyfriends computer...but it will happen this weekend for sure!
 

TexDot33

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Well, all in all it sounds like there is the possibility of a decent out come to this story ... Nicole, good for you, and hopefully good for Gigi!
 

Peta

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:35: Great news, not on the vets hands though, but hey thats part and parcel of being a vet. :D Certainly sounds as though theres great news for GiGi, good health, great forever home with lots of love. Well done you. Let us know how she gets on next week.
 

Tracy842

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Thats really good news!!! Too bad her beak can not grow back but good news about getting an artificial beak!!! Hope to see some pictures soon.
 

Minzer84

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I'm glad Gigi's visit went well! I've never heard of an artificial beak, that's pretty interesting...how would it attach?? :confused: And yea, having Iggy has pretty much cemented my decision to NOT be a bird vet...sounds like yours is very brave though!
 

Peta

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NOT be a bird vet...sounds like yours is very brave though!

Have you ever thought that Iggy could be putting your through all this pain just so that you could become the best bird vet. :D :D :D :D
 

Minzer84

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Hehe, or the most scared bird vet! I would have to have a pair of oven mitts for every room!!! Wow, I'm on early US time, about to leave for the airport...see you all in 2 weeks!!
 

Peta

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I was thinking the same thing about you being early. Have a great time.
 

karen

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could the beak just be the start of body dysmorphia...what next DD implants lipo to her thighs , eye lift, wing tuck ...:eek: god help us
 
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NicoleN

NicoleN

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2nd vet visit was yesterday. Had all kinds of bloodwork, testing, and sexing done. That way I will know first-hand that she is a healthy girl.

Turns out the damage to the beak is more extensive than the vet originally thought. He had thought that maybe there was a chance that the germ layer wasn't completely dead, and there was a way to help the beak grow back naturally. Unfortunately, everything inside her beak is dead. He pulled some stuff out yesterday, but didn't want to get too invasive because he will be doing the rest whenever it's time to get her a new beak.

For this *new beak*, he will basically be filling in her present beak with dental acrylic, and it will no longer be hollow. Plus it will strengthen her beak so it won't break down too easily. The only drawback to all of this is that she is more susceptible to bacterial infections (not b/c of the dental acrylic, but because of the completely dead germ layer)


I am having some problems with my Photobucket and all picture things today, so I will post pics ASAP
 

Peta

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Wow the poor little mite, and do I remember right that this damage was done by a macaw?

Does she have many problems with eating different things, and will the new beak allow her to be able to crack nuts for example. (just curious) Thats amazing.
If she had been taken to the vets sooner do they think this could have been put right?

Look forward to seeing some pics.
 
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NicoleN

NicoleN

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Yes he believes it was done by a Macaw. Right now she doesn't have any problems eating foods, but if her beak were to crack on something, it wouldn't heal itself.

Thankfully, so far it seems as though she doesn't like any nuts. She really prefers her foods soft (she makes pellet stew in her water, so I am constantly changing it).

He hasn't come right out and said "If this were taken care of sooner then she wouldn't be in this situation". But he has asked me multiple times how long ago it happened, if she had any medical attention then, etc. All I know is that it's been a year. Of course it could be more.
 

Peta

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Thankfully, so far it seems as though she doesn't like any nuts. She really prefers her foods soft (she makes pellet stew in her water, so I am constantly changing it).

Hopefully once she gets her brand new beak, she'll stop doing this. Thank goodness she now has you in her life, to help her and get everything sorted out.

But hey my Rosella does that all the time and theres nothing wrong with his beak, he's just a little crazy. :D :D :D Water to him is either to bathe in or make stew. :D
 
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tielgal

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Aw, poor little babe! That acryllic beak sounds interesting thogh-I've never heard of one of them! I hope everything goes well for you, and for Gigi! *hug*
 
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NicoleN

NicoleN

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You know when you see that your vet is calling you with the results of bloodwork, and how you're heart just kinda drops b/c you're about to get "the news" and you just want to hear that your birdie is fine, but prepare yourself for the worst? So you take a deep breath and squeak out a hesitant hello when you answer the phone? Well...had that wonderful experience yesterday and all the news was good. :D

It turns out that Gigi is in fact, a George. However, I will still be calling him Gigi. Also, I apologize if I slip up in any posts and call him a her, it's going to take some getting used to.

:headwall::22_yikes: Can't wait til I have two hormonal males in my house come next mating season

In other news, besides the little beak issue and a missing toenail, he is a perfectly healthy boy. Some fluid levels are off by only .01%, but Dr. G said there is no reason to worry about those at all.
 

TexDot33

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Oh that's really great news Nicole, now as soon as the new beak is in place GiGi will be a "normal" amazon ... YEAH!
 

darkchi

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Ok a while back before this post was put up, I was watching animal planet :rolleyes: (always) and they one show that had a bald eagle whos beak was blown off by a hunter. It kind of looked like Gigi's but was a little worse. This eagle had a beak "implant" and it was very intresting to see how they come up with the idea... wonder if I can find out what show it was, I will get back to you on that
 

darkchi

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Found a picture....



9.jpg


No bill for bird's new beak
Last Updated: Friday, August 16, 2002 | 12:26 PM ET


A Canadian dentist has become something of a hero on Vancouver Island for making an artificial beak for a bald eagle that had been shot in the face and left for dead.
In fact, the eagle has been named "Brian" after Dr. Brian Andrews, a former air force dentist who led a team that spent two months designing and fabricating the new beak, even colouring it the proper shade of yellow.

Andrews used prosthetic techniques to make the beak, much as one would prepare a protective mouthpiece for a hockey player. The challenge was to find a healthy bald eagle and use its beak to make a dental impression.

Someone managed to capture a healthy bald eagle with a salmon net. Andrews says the stand-in eagle turned out to be a "very co-operative" subject, allowing itself to be held upside-down until the impression was completed.

Luckily, the wounded bald eagle was found the day it was shot, otherwise it never would have survived the ordeal.

"The whole top of his beak was shot away, right to the top of his forehead," Andrews said. He said the wound was caused by a high-speed rifle bullet.

Andrews told the CBC Radio's As It Happens Thursday that if regular dental fees were charged the operation easily would have cost about $1,000. He didn't charge a penny, though, saying, "It was a nice way to help out."

Brian the bald eagle now tears up salmon for meals in the wildlife preserve where he is recuperating on Vancouver Island. The big question is when, or if, the eagle ever will be released to the wild.
 
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Peta

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Thats brilliant news, I'm so happy for you both, its a load of your mind now. Only the beak to go and what a handsome chap he's gonna be. :D

Can't wait til I have two hormonal males in my house come next mating season

Ouch, two hormonal males in the house :eek: :eek: Kito is staying a baby so I'm not gonna have to worry bout that. :D (I've made my mind up on that one)
 

TexDot33

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Wow, maybe Minzer could send Iggy to you, then you vould have 3 hormonal Amazons in the house ... :eek:
 

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