Chili's vet visit

Chili had a check-up last night; she was due for an annual anyways, plus she's been having some molting issues.

She's been screeching as she preens, and come to find out she's been pulling out pin feathers


The vet said she's doing it because not only is she going through a terrible molt, but she is also craving salt (because her current diet does not include enough sodium)....so when they pull the pin feathers out, they taste the saltiness of the blood and if not caught and stopped soon enough, it could become habit-forming (plucking)...which in cockatoos is extremely hard to fix once they make it a habit. So, she said to give her something salty every day , so I'm sure she'll enjoy her salty "treats" haha

Also, after looking over my list of what her diet consists of (which she was impressed that I actually had everything typed out lol) and reading over the ingredients for some things, she said there's too many protein-rich ingredients. Goldenobles were the main offender, with protein-rich ingredients such as quinoa, soybeans, spinach, and alfalfa to name a few.

Other than some dietary adjustments, the vet said chili is in excellent health, perfect weight- not fat, nor skinny...she's only gained 4g since her appointment last September. She's a petite girl weighing in at 260g. She did very well at the clinic, but mostly hung out with daddy as we waited


She also schmoozed up the vet tech, who gave her plenty of scritches. Chili actually wanted to give her a kiss, but the gal was wearing glasses which kinda freak her out lol

In addition to misting her with water 2-3x/day, she was also prescribed Valium to take care of the pain she's in from this terrible molt, as well as to help her sleep- which she wasn't getting enough of. Last night was the first night in a few weeks that she's slept soundly, and I didn't hear a peep out of her until this morning.

I am glad she is feeling better! I had never heard about the salt thing, I have always just read not to give it to them! That makes me feel better about the occasional saltine cracker that gets shared with the fids.

Glad you caught the cause of her "plucking" before it became serious! She looks quite content in the vets office. What a good girl. I too have never heard of parrots actually needing salt. I share the *occasional* salty snack with Kiwi and always felt a bit guilty thinking it was totally bad of me. Now I won't feel so bad doing so (though, I'm sure much to his displeasure, he still won't find a bowl full of chips and pizza in his cage every day instead of nutritious food).

Oh wow, never heard of the salt thing either, but makes sense that SOME sodium is vital for living things functioning properly. I'm sorry that Chili is going through this What was the cause of this extra heavy molt? I hope she feels better asap!

I was also under the impression that salt is bad for them, so I was just as surprised as you guys! Lol Too much salt IS in fact bad for them, but their bodies still need some sodium.

@Kiwibird she was pretty skeptical at first because of all the other birds in the clinic screeching and making a raucous lol but she settled down, and made herself content in the window sill lol she actually didn't want much to do with me the whole time- apparently daddy is "safer" haha

@RavensGryf I'm thinking it's this terrible weather- seems to be taking it's toll on everyone lately 😬

I'm thinking it's this terrible weather- seems to be taking it's toll on everyone lately

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What terrible weather are you talking about lol?! Guess I've not fully become accustomed to the weather up here in Oregon, because I've been commenting all summer about how much nicer it is here than in Arizona No monsoonal downpours/flash floods, no temperatures soaring well into the triple digits, no "85" degrees" being the nighttime low:52: Even Kiwi is loving it- haven't seen him panting and crabby due to the heat once this summer!

So glad you shared is info, Shirre. I hadn't heard of the salt thing either, as typical parrot cannon usually demonizes all things sodium. Like Julie said, though, needing at least some sodium does make sense. I suppose it's the extremes we need to watch. Too much or not enough.

Thanks, Shirre.

Oh, and Chili looks beautiful, btw.

I would bet the average parrot owner doesn't have the salt problem. I know I'm guilty of the occasional salty treat.

Chili is beautiful. I'm glad you were able to catch it early.

Kiwibird said:

What terrible weather are you talking about lol?! Guess I've not fully become accustomed to the weather up here in Oregon, because I've been commenting all summer about how much nicer it is here than in Arizona No monsoonal downpours/flash floods, no temperatures soaring well into the triple digits, no "85" degrees" being the nighttime low:52: Even Kiwi is loving it- haven't seen him panting and crabby due to the heat once this summer!

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Well, compared to Arizona I imagine it's definitely a wonderful change for you guys!! Hahaha

But our summer weather has become hotter and hotter each year, and this year is terribly humid- this humidity is not "normal" lol

thekarens said:

I would bet the average parrot owner doesn't have the salt problem. I know I'm guilty of the occasional salty treat.

Chili is beautiful. I'm glad you were able to catch it early.

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I have to admit, I've been very strict with what she eats, but she does get the rare salty treat. But now we know that those "rare" treats are ok, so don't feel guilty! 😉

Thank you 😊 I'm glad we were able to get her in and get it all figured out, because we were really worried -the noise she makes, makes me cringe every time 😬

It was funny- she was sitting in the window sill and a guy parking his car saw her and tried schmoozing her all the way from his car lol did she notice? Nope! Haha

Anansi said:

So glad you shared is info, Shirre. I hadn't heard of the salt thing either, as typical parrot cannon usually demonizes all things sodium. Like Julie said, though, needing at least some sodium does make sense. I suppose it's the extremes we need to watch. Too much or not enough.

Thanks, Shirre.

Oh, and Chili looks beautiful, btw.

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She said it's just like how us humans need salt as well... We need to find the balance of just enough sodium, yet not too much, for a happy medium for our bodies.

And thank you- you can't tell in this picture, but she's a bit scraggly from all this molting business 😱

I didn't realize too little salt could be an issue, although it's the same for humans so it makes sense that birds could have problems with that as well. I'm glad Chili is getting some relief from her molt. I can't imagine that feels good.

I've always used mineral blocks in my cages, my current fav is this one:


[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Bird-Supplies-Manu-Mineral-Block/dp/B001LDE1WI/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1407963789&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=Pollys+Pet+Products+Manu+Mineral+Block+for+Parrots"]Amazon.com : Bird Supplies Manu Mineral Block Sm Hkbl : Pet Health Care Supplies : Pet Supplies[/ame]


Provides essential minerals for a healthy bird. Contains the same nine minerals: calcium iron manganese potassium zinc copper magnesium phosphorus and sodium in the same concentration as the natural mineral deposits found in the foothills from the Perus Andes to the mightly Amazon. The wild birds flock to ingest the rivers natural mineral-rich clay. Now your pet bird can benefit from these mineral supplements.

I'm happy to see her have some relief from this molting- although it's difficult for me seeing her drugged up from the Valium, it's helping her.

The vet explained that molting is comparable to a teething toddler- sometimes they can get through it on their own, and sometimes they need medical help depending on the severity of the molt. So with that in mind, I would say it's the equivalent of my toddler getting multiple molars in (very painful).

GW.Joe said:

I've always used mineral blocks in my cages, my current fav is this one:


Amazon.com : Bird Supplies Manu Mineral Block Sm Hkbl : Pet Health Care Supplies : Pet Supplies


Provides essential minerals for a healthy bird. Contains the same nine minerals: calcium iron manganese potassium zinc copper magnesium phosphorus and sodium in the same concentration as the natural mineral deposits found in the foothills from the Perus Andes to the mightly Amazon. The wild birds flock to ingest the rivers natural mineral-rich clay. Now your pet bird can benefit from these mineral supplements.

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Thanks for the tip, Joe! I'll check them out and run it by her dr... I use cuttlebones for my budgies, but never thought of a mineral block for her since her diet has quite a bit of variety.

👍

Ok, so I just got off the phone with the clinic regarding the mineral blocks; which they advised against for several reasons...

1) it's harder to monitor how much they're eating of it

2) it's harder to monitor how often they're eating it

3) offering treats/food items on a regular basis is also fun and exciting for them; a bonding experience...it is also a better way to monitor their vitamin/mineral intake

4) it's preferred (by my vet) that she get her necessary minerals/vitamins through regular food items rather than a mineral block

I am so glad Chili got a good nights sleep last night! I bet she already feels better
I am also glad to hear about sodium. I am heading down now to spoil everyone with 1 chip each for the first time

Terry57 said:

I am so glad Chili got a good nights sleep last night! I bet she already feels better
I am also glad to hear about sodium. I am heading down now to spoil everyone with 1 chip each for the first time

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She slept for a good majority of the day today, and she's hardly been picking at herself or screeching today so I'm happy to see her improve

Lol!! All your fids are going to wonder what the special occasion is!!

Wow, Shirre! You and Chili have been through a lot lately! I'm so sorry to hear she's been having a horrible moult. Dommie had a hard one last time and I'm still scratching pin feathers on of his head for him (at LAST, he'll allow me to). I feel so sorry for little Chilie in so much discomfort and so does Dom: he sends his most soothing 'p'snips' to her (in fact, he's p'snipping away on top of the fridge as we speak).

Betrisher said:

Wow, Shirre! You and Chili have been through a lot lately! I'm so sorry to hear she's been having a horrible moult. Dommie had a hard one last time and I'm still scratching pin feathers on of his head for him (at LAST, he'll allow me to). I feel so sorry for little Chilie in so much discomfort and so does Dom: he sends his most soothing 'p'snips' to her (in fact, he's p'snipping away on top of the fridge as we speak).

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Awww thank you Trish, and thank you little Dommie for your sweet p'snips ❤️ it's so hard to see them feel so rotten- I just wish this molt will be over quickly!!