Pepper's first vet visit

Just got home from Pepper's first vet visit. She did really well overall. She really didn't like being put in her carrier, I will have to practice with her that it's not so scarey. Maybe sit it on the floor with treats inside and just let her check it out. It could just have to do with the last time she was put in a carrier, she was put in an airplane and flown across the country to strangers.

She bowed her head for the vet to pet her when she first came in the room. She growled when they toweled her for her nail trim, but the vet said she's heard much worse! lol. Dr. Morgan was very impressed with how quickly Pepper calmed down after it was all over. She ran up my arm and sat on my shoulder looking over her feet (making sure all her toes were still there lol), and started preening herself. Probably thinking, "look at this mess, those people messed up my feathers!". Dr. Morgan said Pepper is "Perfect!"

wanted to add: she weighs 455 grams

Merlin was very good for everything except being toweled. She squawked like crazy. We had no choice though since she was sick. They had to put that thing into her crop to give her hand feeding formula and meds. We did first offer her a syringe but she was sipping at it so slowly they said, "At this rate it will take all day." And I had to agree. She didn't offer her head for scritches to anyone but me while there, but she didn't try to bite and was cooperative overall.

She didn't want to go back into her carrier either to go and I think it was the same thing; she had just been in it to be put on a plane and flown to me. I do sometimes put my birds in them while I am scrubbing their cages, and sometimes I take them for car rides or to other places so they don't associate it with bad things only.

My experience with Pete was very different though with the same exact vet assistants. It was quite obvious they had fear of amazons. They wanted him in a towel the entire time he was there. They didn't even let him step on the scale, but stuffed him into this little plastic container instead. And he was being very well behaved so there was no reason for that. He was so angry afterward, obsessively preening his feathers and chewing on his talons.

With Merlin, they let her just be out on my arm for everything but giving her fluids and the food/meds and drawing blood. But, with Pete they acted like he was some wild, crazy animal that had to be restrained. I could understand if he had been acting like that, but he didn't. I admit my BCC was so afraid of vets she really did need to be in a towel the entire time.

Oh, Merlin is 470 grams the little piggy!

Tonight, during her just before bedtime out of cage time, Pepper was being extra cuddly! I just about cried! She's usually busy all over the place, in my lap, on my arm, the back of the chair, walking around the floor investigating, etc. Tonight, she just stayed on the crook of my arm for a good 20 minutes, just begging to be pet. She was even closing her eyes and leaning her head into my hand. Makes me weepy just thinking about it!

She must have forgave me for putting her into that mean ole' carrier and taking her to the vet, lol. My hubby said, (and he's probably right) that she's probably grateful we brought her back home and didn't put her in an airplane, haha.

What a nice story and What å fantastiskt bird and mommy lol

Awwwww.....Pepper is wonderful!!!! She's happy that she's got a good mommy taking very good care of her!!!

What a cutie!

Puck's last weigh was only 141 grams. lol.

well done pepper!!!

"Perfect Pepper" my new name for her
I am relieved that the visit went well, I think we all go through the motions, when taking our fid's to the vet. BUT when it is a new bird, it is a worry. Perfect was the result I AM SO HAPPY. Shame just imagine what went through Pepper's mind when being placed in the carrier.... not knowing how long the journey will be. But all ended well. Loved the wording you used looking over her feet (making sure all her toes were still there lol

That picture of her is just so wonderful, she looks like she's looking up at you, so happy and adoring - she even looks like she's smiling! I think she is glad that she got to go home with you instead of carted off elsewhere. She's a pretty Pepper ^^

Did she get a wing clip too? My vet, the one died in a drowning accident, did not towel birds. He had an amazing clam way about him that was transferred to the birds. Pepper is such a good girl. I bet she was so happy to be back on your lap. Very unusual behavior for a grey.

Wonderful story and picture.

Spiritbird, are Greys not normally cuddly? Merlin is quite the cuddle bug.

Spiritbird said:

Did she get a wing clip too? My vet, the one died in a drowning accident, did not towel birds. He had an amazing clam way about him that was transferred to the birds. Pepper is such a good girl. I bet she was so happy to be back on your lap. Very unusual behavior for a grey.

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I didn't have them clip her wings. Her foster mom strongly advised me not to because of her past, she said it would harm her self confidence that they took so long to gain back for her. I was nervous at first about having a flighted bird, but she does fine. She prefers to walk around to where she's going over flying. We always make sure all doors and windows are closed when either bird is out (River is clipped).

so glad it went so well