Results of Lily's blood tests

emyoung858 · Mar 29, 2017

Hey guys, I finally got a call from the vet tech, not much information given other then an abnormality in the cells which means Lily's immune system is working to fight something off. I really hope this is the only problem.... now I have a question for everyone, her vet is doing injections and wants me to do them at home. First of all, I am freaked out of needles and I am uncomfortable with this. Has anyone ever had to give their parrot injections before?

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itzjbean · Mar 29, 2017

I'm sorry to hear about Lily's abnormality. Hopefully it will clear up soon.

If I were in your shoes, I would also feel extremely uncomfortable giving my parrot an injection on my own, and I'm a little shocked that your vet suggested you to do so, without proper experience or knowledge. Even if they show you, there are so many things that could go wrong with this!! Anyone attempting this could seriously injure or kill their bird this way! I would tell the vet you don't feel comfortable with this at all and have them do it when she needs it.

emyoung858 · Mar 29, 2017

itzjbean said:
I'm sorry to hear about Lily's abnormality. Hopefully it will clear up soon.

If I were in your shoes, I would also feel extremely uncomfortable giving my parrot an injection on my own, and I'm a little shocked that your vet suggested you to do so, without proper experience or knowledge of how to do so. Anyone attempting this could seriously injure or kill their bird this way! I would tell the vet you don't feel comfortable with this at all and have them do it when she needs it.

I will just have to bring her in every day, I don't mind doing that and yes, I totally agree with you, I watched some videos and I started freaking out even more,

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Lacewing · Mar 29, 2017

I suggest you watch the injection being given. Its not really that bad once you learn the technique. You can practice on an orange.

itzjbean · Mar 29, 2017

This sounds like a great plan. Even if you have to bring her in daily it would at least give you the peace of mind that she is getting the injections from more experienced hands and the medicine is going where it needs to go. I've seen some videos of parrots getting microchipped and it is just horrifying to me!! I can barely watch them I get so squeamish! lol

emyoung858 · Mar 29, 2017

Lacewing said:
I suggest you watch the injection being given. Its not really that bad once you learn the technique. You can practice on an orange.

It's not only that, it's how to hold her down, I'm not comfortable with wrapping her in a towel and I have not mastered the technique of holding her neck so that she can't move it, im torn because the vet is so traumatizing for in the first place and to bring her there in the first place with not only be stressful for the both of us but extremely time consuming and inconvenient. My main concern is her though and I'm no bird expert, I've only had her for a month and I do think I might do it wrong

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emyoung858 · Mar 29, 2017

itzjbean said:
This sounds like a great plan. Even if you have to bring her in daily it would at least give you the peace of mind that she is getting the injections from more experienced hands and the medicine is going where it needs to go. I've seen some videos of parrots getting microchipped and it is just horrifying to me!! I can barely watch them I get so squeamish! lol

Yesterday they clipped off one of nails to draw blood and I almost painted, Lily started regurgitating from the shock it was absolutely horrible [emoji24][emoji24][emoji24]

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itzjbean · Mar 29, 2017

emyoung858 said:
itzjbean said:

This sounds like a great plan. Even if you have to bring her in daily it would at least give you the peace of mind that she is getting the injections from more experienced hands and the medicine is going where it needs to go. I've seen some videos of parrots getting microchipped and it is just horrifying to me!! I can barely watch them I get so squeamish! lol

Click to expand...

Yesterday they clipped off one of nails to draw blood and I almost painted, Lily started regurgitating from the shock it was absolutely horrible [emoji24][emoji24][emoji24]

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Oh my gosh, poor girl!!! . How traumatizing for both of you! They truly do become like our babies, when they get distressed we also get distressed for them. Ugh!

May I ask if this an Avian vet or a regular vet you are taking her to? Sometimes regular vets are not so good with birds and end up stressing them out far more than an Avian vet would. They are so different and complex than other animals.

emyoung858 · Mar 29, 2017

He is an avian vet,

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emyoung858 · Mar 29, 2017

itzjbean said:
emyoung858 said:

itzjbean said:

This sounds like a great plan. Even if you have to bring her in daily it would at least give you the peace of mind that she is getting the injections from more experienced hands and the medicine is going where it needs to go. I've seen some videos of parrots getting microchipped and it is just horrifying to me!! I can barely watch them I get so squeamish! lol

Click to expand...

Yesterday they clipped off one of nails to draw blood and I almost painted, Lily started regurgitating from the shock it was absolutely horrible [emoji24][emoji24][emoji24]

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Click to expand...

Oh my gosh, poor girl!!! Hope they didn't take off the whole nail? How traumatizing for both of you! They truly do become like our babies, when they get distressed we also get distressed for them. Ugh!

May I ask if this an Avian vet or a regular vet you are taking her to? Sometimes regular vets are not so good with birds and end up stressing them out far more than an Avian vet would. They are so different and complex than other animals.

Actually I take that back, he is an exotic animal vet, so he also works with guinea pigs, rabbits, and reptiles, but mostly birds I've noticed

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SilverSage · Mar 29, 2017

If you are t comfortable, don't do it. Find a vet that does medical boarding or who will let you drop in daily for injections. The risk isn't worth it.

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BeatriceC · Mar 29, 2017

Injections are super easy to do. I vastly prefer them to oral meds. You can get a needle and practice on a whole chicken from your grocery store (with just water in the syringe).

However, if you really are scared of doing it, I completely agree with SilverSage. My vet will do "boarding with meds" at a vastly lower rate than his hospital rates. That's something to ask about.

BeatriceC · Mar 29, 2017

Something just dawned on me: For people reading along with smaller birds, you can practice on a cornish game hen. That's still bigger than a lovebird or budgie, but a lot smaller than a chicken.

Scott · Mar 29, 2017

emyoung858 said:
He is an avian vet,

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BeatriceC said:
Injections are super easy to do. I vastly prefer them to oral meds. You can get a needle and practice on a whole chicken from your grocery store (with just water in the syringe).

However, if you really are scared of doing it, I completely agree with SilverSage. My vet will do "boarding with meds" at a vastly lower rate than his hospital rates. That's something to ask about.

You both use the same vet!

Giving injections is not difficult, but you must feel comfortable with the process. Coincidentally, my ekkie Angel has been very dismissive of her meds, so this morning I went to the vet to transition her Furesomide to injections. The syringe has the shortest needle I've ever seen, must be about 1/8". He explained the best place is along the breastbone-line but offset to either side, alternating positions to allow healing. (avoid injecting the breastbone proper) He included a cool miniature Sharps Container to snip off the end of the needle after use. But if you are reticent is always best to bring her in!

Rather odd Lily didn't produce a dropping at the office. Normally they are scared into giving without prompting! Hope Lily improves rapidly!!

Rival_of_the_Rickeybird · Mar 29, 2017

I'm no authority, but in my decades of serving as driver and escort to my wife and her bird on vet visits, I've never seen blood taken that way. Always in the neck.

emyoung858 · Mar 29, 2017

BeatriceC said:
Injections are super easy to do. I vastly prefer them to oral meds. You can get a needle and practice on a whole chicken from your grocery store (with just water in the syringe).

However, if you really are scared of doing it, I completely agree with SilverSage. My vet will do "boarding with meds" at a vastly lower rate than his hospital rates. That's something to ask about.

My issue is not the needle itself, it is holding her down, etc. I am a new 'too owner and I am uncomfortable with it, I just talked with dr. Jenkins today and he agreed to have me come in once per day to have the injections done

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BeatriceC · Mar 29, 2017

Scott said:
emyoung858 said:

He is an avian vet,

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Click to expand...

BeatriceC said:

Injections are super easy to do. I vastly prefer them to oral meds. You can get a needle and practice on a whole chicken from your grocery store (with just water in the syringe).

However, if you really are scared of doing it, I completely agree with SilverSage. My vet will do "boarding with meds" at a vastly lower rate than his hospital rates. That's something to ask about.

Click to expand...

You both use the same vet!

Giving injections is not difficult, but you must feel comfortable with the process. Coincidentally, my ekkie Angel has been very dismissive of her meds, so this morning I went to the vet to transition her Furesomide to injections. The syringe has the shortest needle I've ever seen, must be about 1/8". He explained the best place is along the breastbone-line but offset to either side, alternating positions to allow healing. (avoid injecting the breastbone proper) He included a cool miniature Sharps Container to snip off the end of the needle after use. But if you are reticent is always best to bring her in!

Rather odd Lily didn't produce a dropping at the office. Normally they are scared into giving without prompting! Hope Lily improves rapidly!!

Per the bolded: We do???

In that case, Dr. J. will do "boarding with meds", which for the largest cage size he has, is $36 per day, or at least it was the last time I used the service. I don't know about the smaller cage sizes since I was using it for my macaw, so we did the largest size.

Additionally, if you're comfortable with it, I'd be happy to reach out to you in person and help support you while you learn, if you're interested in that. PM me if you'd like. If not, I'm totally un-offended.

emyoung858 · Mar 29, 2017

Scott said:
emyoung858 said:

He is an avian vet,

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Click to expand...

BeatriceC said:

Injections are super easy to do. I vastly prefer them to oral meds. You can get a needle and practice on a whole chicken from your grocery store (with just water in the syringe).

However, if you really are scared of doing it, I completely agree with SilverSage. My vet will do "boarding with meds" at a vastly lower rate than his hospital rates. That's something to ask about.

Click to expand...

You both use the same vet!

Giving injections is not difficult, but you must feel comfortable with the process. Coincidentally, my ekkie Angel has been very dismissive of her meds, so this morning I went to the vet to transition her Furesomide to injections. The syringe has the shortest needle I've ever seen, must be about 1/8". He explained the best place is along the breastbone-line but offset to either side, alternating positions to allow healing. (avoid injecting the breastbone proper) He included a cool miniature Sharps Container to snip off the end of the needle after use. But if you are reticent is always best to bring her in!

Rather odd Lily didn't produce a dropping at the office. Normally they are scared into giving without prompting! Hope Lily improves rapidly!!

Thank you, no she wouldn't produce anything, she was so extremely traumatized she couldn't move it was extremely sad to observe, right when we got home she did the honor of going on my shoulder though!!!

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emyoung858 · Mar 29, 2017

It is not the injection that I am scared of giving it is the method of holding her down to do it

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emyoung858 · Mar 29, 2017

OK I take that back I am scared of giving the injection as well but with a short needle as Scott had said that wouldn't be as bad but it it is just the whole method of holding her down and restraining her that frightens me, as you guys all know I am a new cockatoo owner and I have never been through this type of experience before

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Results of Lily's blood tests

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Worried about my cockatoos health

Wife's 2, what a card.

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